Wildlife Watching

Question

How do beavers select the trees that they take down?

Answer 1

Beavers enjoy bark, buds, stems, and twigs of trees: aspen, maple, willow, birch, black alder, and black cherry trees. It's easiest for a beaver to take down a small tree because it's quicker, but they're also known to spend several days taking down a larger tree. A beaver's front teeth are growing all the time all the time, so it must constantly chew on wood to trim their teeth down.

2 weeks ago

Answer 2

In a related question, I was recently in the Adirondacks and spotted a tree about two feet in diameter that was chewed half way through at the base by a beaver. Do they use trees that size just to sharpen their teeth, or are they actually trying to cut the tree down for construction purposes?

2 weeks ago

Answer 3

Visitation to Grand Teton National Park peaks during the summer but is also extremely popular during the transition to fall. After Labor Day, total visitation ebbs slightly; however, the type of visitor is drastically different. With kids back in school, you'll find that there are families and more DINKs (Dual Income No Kids), recent college graduates, empty nesters and baby boomers.

Teton Village is home to many fine properties and you shouldn't have a problem finding a room if you book in advance. We have a few favorites:

Hotel Terra is the first of a line of green hotels launched by the Terra Resort Group, Hotel Terra Jackson Hole offers the exceptional amenities and services expected from boutique hotels, combined with environmentally sustainable building and operating practices. The property is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, placing it in an elite group of hotels in the United States. Hotel Terra pushes its efforts well beyond LEED criteria, however, has taken a leadership role in defining eco-friendly efforts to preserve and protect the environment in its operations while still offering an opulent hotel experience for guests. Learn more about Hotel Terra and its commitment to the environment at www.hotelterrajacksonhole.com.

Just around the corner from the Terra is the Snake River Lodge & Spa where you'll be warmly welcomed. The lodge, part of the Rock Resorts is rustically elegant and fits seamlessly with the Teton landscape. Recently renovated, Snake River Lodge & Spa boats beautifully appointed rooms and condomiums which will be a welcome retreat after a long day of hiking, skiing, golfing or exploring the Jackson Fall Arts Festival, which takes place from September 10-20 (www.jacksonholewy.com/events-fall-arts-festival.php). You'll look forward to relaxing in the property's indoor/outdoor heated pool, with cascading waterfalls, warmed walkways, a hot tub tucked into a steam-filled cave, and a sauna. Visit snakeriverlodge.rockresorts.com for more information.

Don't rule out staying in the park–Jenny Lodge is located across the water from majestic Cascade Canyon and offers an exclusive environment with 37 rustically elegant log cabins. The main lodge, a recently renovated log structure, has inviting sitting areas with books and games for guests to enjoy. As the only 4-diamond eco-resort in the Park, Jenny Lake Lodge is ideal for those who seek the finest service and lodging, while still enjoying a National Park vacation. Each of the rustically elegant cabin rooms are well appointed with hand-made quilts, down comforters, and unique Western charm. The cabins are open from early June to early October. Breakfast and dinner, along with horseback and bicycle riding, are included in the room rate. To book a room, visit http://www.gtlc.com/lodging/jenny-lake-lodge-overview.aspx

4 weeks ago

Answer 4

The Smokies foliage changes in the mountains beginning in mid-September and moves down to the valleys through October, often continuing into early November.

Our Oh, Ranger! guide to fall colors in the Smokies is available here. the National Park Service also provides some good information about fall hikes and destinations, available here.

Lastly, check with local chambers of commerce to get up-to-date foliage reports. We recommending contacting either Gatlinburg, TN or Cherokee, NC.

6 weeks ago

Answer 5

Gatlinburg has just issued their fall leaf report! Read it here.

6 weeks ago

Answer 6

There are many great things to do in Shenandoah, some of which are seasonal. If you only have a day, Skyline Drive is one of the best drives I have ever taken in this entire country. Otherwise, check our sights to see page, and on the left there are categories for you to choose from that are more specific.

Let us know if you want to learn more!

6 weeks ago

Answer 7

We do not plan to camp

6 weeks ago

Answer 8

We do not plan to camp. We will be park visitors

6 weeks ago

Answer 9

what will be the approximate temperature the first week in april

6 weeks ago

Answer 10

April is a great time for a visit to Yosemite... The summer crowds haven't arrived yet, and while there will still be snow in various parts of the park, travel is more or less clear. Historic temperatures suggest that April highs should be around 65° (F) and lows around 38° (F). Definitely a chance for snowy conditions. Keep in mind too, that the Valley lies at an elevation of 4,000 feet which is (other the Hetch Hetchy) the lowest elevation in the park, so expect temperatures in other areas to be colder.

6 weeks ago

Answer 11

There is going to be a great variation from year to year in what to expect in the first week of April judging by my experience. You can definitely expect some snow on the ground and it's likely to snow on and off. However, there are times it is not snowing, and my my experience, if you hike into the canyon it gets warmers and drier the farther down you go. I have hiked the Grand Canyon once in the last week of March and another year in the second week of April. Both times there was snow on the rim, intermittant snow fall, but once getting about a mile or mile and a half down the trail, no more snow. In fact, at the bottom each time, it was clear, springlike warm weather with trees having new green leaves and wildflowers in bloom. However, when hiking back up the canyon, in both instances within about a mile or mile and a half from the rim, snow again fell and the trail was a little slushy.

I definitely prefer hiking the canyon that time of the year to avoid the humid heat of the late summer or just plain hot hotness of earlier in summer. Hiking up with the air temp being 50 degrees was just perfect.

But there's a great variation in weather so your experience could be entirely different.

My advice would be (if you were hiking the canyon trails) to bring some yak traxs or pietons for improved traction (but plan on removing them at some point) as well as 2 hiking poles so you don't slip and fall on the trail. Oh, and of course, water and some type of electrolye powered additive. That is, if you're planning to hike.

It would be hard for me to imagine going there and not hiking.

5 weeks ago

Answer 12

In June the average high is 70 degrees F and the average low is 41 degrees F. The park averages about 1.5 inches of precipitation in June, some of which can indeed be snow! For more details, check out the NPS Yellowstone Weather page.

7 weeks ago