The Research has Begun!

After a brisk walk down the road parallel to the baronial Tetons and a view of pronghorn antelopes, bison and longhorn cattle, we were prepared for our first day in the field the next day; or so we thought. My roommate had woken me up at dawn earlier than the others to rustle their shoulders so they could wake up as well, but we all slumbered five minutes past breakfast!

After a long day's hike, everyone takes a break under the shade of the trees 

What a breathtaking view!!
Photos courtesy of Adrienne.

We set forth on our journey groggy and reticent after rising with the sun. Lugubrious layers of cumulus clouds spread like wet clay clumps rent open with stabs of sienna sunlight as we headed to the meadow. Dubious of extricating new nests from the labyrinth of willows, we were surprised to find one among a plethora of dead nests, given that it was the first nest that we did unearth. 

Charles checking out a new bird nest.
Photo courtesy of Eleanore.

Jacky, Suna, and Adrienne party as they forge through the bushwack

Despite the sweltering sunlight,  overbearing backpacks, and nests we couldn't uncover we had a productive and satisfactory day. Simply splendiferous!

- Kirsten
P.S. Happy 17th Birthday Romario!!!

Earthwatchers watch in awe at the beauty of the pond at the Conservation Research Center

Romario, David, and Josh take measurements after finding a nest

Nests can only be found by those who have keen eyes...thankfully, most of us do

While playing our second game of Camouflage, the "prey" (Jackie) outsmarted the "predator" (Josh) in the most simple and deliberate  fashion. He had no idea...
Photos courtesy of Adrienne.