Wednesday, September 12, 2012

The Birds of No Man's Land

Over the weekend of September 7-9th, I had the extraordinary pleasure of venturing into Yellowstone National Park with the Advanced Field Research class of Rocky Mountain College. What made this trip unique to me is that I have already taken this class. This round I was joining as part of a larger effort made by Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society. A major effort of the YVAS has been to set up monitoring stations for species, primarily birds (after all, it is the Audubon Society), along the amazing Yellowstone River. So what what better place to include than where it begins? I couldn't agree more. I've always been interested in the details of nature and the interconnectedness. But in that moment, when I first saw the begginings of the Yellowstone River. I could only take in the landscape. It was so magnificent and overwhelming and pure that all I could do was let it take me over. It was one of those moments that reaffirms why you love the things you do. This reminded me why I want a career in the environmental sciences. Anyway, back to reality. The YVAS has worked to establish several points along the Yellowstone River.  We now have data from the Yellowstone River at the Montana-Dakota Border, Isaac Homestead WMA, Two Moon Park, Grey Bear Fishing Access and the newest addition...the headwaters of the Yellowstone River.
Headwaters of the Yellowstone River in all of its majesty
I would encourage you to click on each of these pictures to see their full size. I am sad to say that pictures do not do it justice, but I did my best.

Mornings on Yellowstone Lake
This effort by the Yellowstone Valley Audubon is spectacular. Think about it, how many organizations do you know that have made a concerted effort and commitment to pursuing the preservation of an ENTIRE river through the continual monitoring of species over time. What is striking to me is the size of the group and what they're doing. On average, the YVAS meetings I have attended have roughly 50 to 60 people. Some contribute more than others, but in every sense they all contribute. If you ever think you can't do something because you are too small...you are dead wrong. This is a group of people driven but pure passion and look what they can do when they harness that. It's incredible.  This is what the natural sciences need; people who don't count costs to pursue what matters most to them.  This is not work to them, it is joy.   Most study areas anymore never exceed county boundaries it seems like and yet here they are studying hundreds of miles of river. I am beyond impressed. I am sincerely glad that I have chosen to intern with the YVAS.

The birds. Oh the birds. They were spectacular.  What I saw was something special. What first stood out to me was how many American White Pelicans were soaring over Yellowstone Lake as we canoed towards our destination. As we started crossing the open waters I noticed a large white blur off to the East. What I was seeing was Molly Island. What makes Molly Island special is that it is one of the few remaining breeding grounds for American White Pelicans.  That was a special thing. I am in one of the most remote places of the lower 48 and here is place that is vital to the pelicans.  Later on that day when we had been at camp for some time I heard a call that I have only ever heard once before and right away I knew it was something special. Trumpeter Swans.  While I was never able to get close to them, this population of Trumpeter Swans was unique. It is one of the last resident populations.  Most swans are only here for a portion of the year but this birds endure the harsh seasons that Yellowstone National Park can produce. Among the other birds was a flock of probably 2500 American Coots, a number of raptors including Coopers Hawks, several Red-tailed Hawks, an Osprey chick, and several Bald Eagles.

The Bald Eagles were amazing both in their beauty and what they represent.  As you all know, they are a symbol of freedom to the United States.  As I look back on when they flew by me on the shores of Yellowstone Lake I know they were more than just birds to me.  I've been feeding an idea lately.  We are very blessed to live in a country that we can argue about nature.  Obviously, not every decision made regarding the environment is going to please everyone, but isn't it amazing we can discuss environmental problems? In some countries with a more command and control style that is simply not an option.  But here we can work towards the preservation of the places that mean the most to us.  And so here I am standing on the shores of a lake in one of the most federally protected lands in the United States and a Bald Eagle flies by.  Again, I just had to take it in and treasure that moment.
Heading towards the headwaters

I want to publicly thank those that have been involved both with my internship and with the osprey research project.  There is a huge list of people to thank. Steve Regele, Kayhan Ostovar, Lucas Ward, Emily Ward, Marco Restani, and Monty Sullins have all been monumental in making a dream come true.  There are many more from power company employees to city government officials to citizen scientists.  Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would be where I am at today. Thank you!