Grand Views
I've already spent 10 days in Grand Tetons, time is flying! This place is beautiful and I'm trying to make the most of this awesome opportunity. I think the best way to explain the AMK Ranch Research Station is like a summer camp for graduate students. Apart from the hours spent in the field, my days are filled with hiking, kayaking, bbq's, weekly seminars, card games, games with flying hammers (more on that later), and the occasional spot of focused thesis writing! I've actually been fairly productive, despite the incredible landscape that continuously calls to be explored while the sun shines day after day.
And now for the photos!
late afternoon hike through the woods in search of Huckleberry Hot Springs, which ended up being way to hot to soak in as we'd hoped. But the scenery made up for it!
spent some time walking through this creek, which was pleasantly warmed by the hot springs
wildflowers everywhere! this one is my favorite, called Indian Paintbrush
scenic driving is the default driving
I spotted one of these awesome painted camper vans that come out of Morro Bay! you can rent them and, apparently, drive cross-country with them!
an evening playing Stump, the fun-filled game of tossing hammers in the air, catching them then seamlessly swinging to hit an opponent's nail on the stump. I played the audience in this game, fearing for my own safety if I were to try tossing the hammer!
and this is my "work," surveying visitors that stop at Oxbow Bend turnout, one of the highlighted overlooks in Grand Tetons. We're asking folks about their motivations for visiting the park and how they feel about management strategies to reduce human-made noise in the park.
and I get to watch birds and search for moose in between visitor surveys - not a bad spot, despite the highway being right there and drowning out most of the birdsong :/
beasts like this may be the culprits of vehicular noise, but for the purposes of our study we actually want loud vehicles to come through!
Mt. Moran reflected perfectly in the Snake River at Oxbow Bend
scouting for hiking trails; next week we might try Paintbrush Canyon or Hanging canyon
this is Tina, our resident deer friend who has a high tolerance for us humans.
morning view from the research station
the moose antler chandelier in Berrol Lodge
this morning we hiked to the Grand View Overlook; this is Pilgrim Creek on our way there
tons of wildflowers! I wish I knew what these were called
hiking with Lauren, the social science PhD student who is leading the social surveys; so, I guess, my boss!
the "grand view" of Two Oceans Lake and a peek of Emma Matilda Lake
made it!
and the, possibly, grander view of the Grand Tetons!
more wildflowers
have to say I'm having a pretty grand summer :)
And now for the photos!
late afternoon hike through the woods in search of Huckleberry Hot Springs, which ended up being way to hot to soak in as we'd hoped. But the scenery made up for it!
spent some time walking through this creek, which was pleasantly warmed by the hot springs
wildflowers everywhere! this one is my favorite, called Indian Paintbrush
scenic driving is the default driving
I spotted one of these awesome painted camper vans that come out of Morro Bay! you can rent them and, apparently, drive cross-country with them!
an evening playing Stump, the fun-filled game of tossing hammers in the air, catching them then seamlessly swinging to hit an opponent's nail on the stump. I played the audience in this game, fearing for my own safety if I were to try tossing the hammer!
and this is my "work," surveying visitors that stop at Oxbow Bend turnout, one of the highlighted overlooks in Grand Tetons. We're asking folks about their motivations for visiting the park and how they feel about management strategies to reduce human-made noise in the park.
and I get to watch birds and search for moose in between visitor surveys - not a bad spot, despite the highway being right there and drowning out most of the birdsong :/
beasts like this may be the culprits of vehicular noise, but for the purposes of our study we actually want loud vehicles to come through!
Mt. Moran reflected perfectly in the Snake River at Oxbow Bend
scouting for hiking trails; next week we might try Paintbrush Canyon or Hanging canyon
this is Tina, our resident deer friend who has a high tolerance for us humans.
morning view from the research station
the moose antler chandelier in Berrol Lodge
this morning we hiked to the Grand View Overlook; this is Pilgrim Creek on our way there
tons of wildflowers! I wish I knew what these were called
hiking with Lauren, the social science PhD student who is leading the social surveys; so, I guess, my boss!
the "grand view" of Two Oceans Lake and a peek of Emma Matilda Lake
made it!
and the, possibly, grander view of the Grand Tetons!
more wildflowers
have to say I'm having a pretty grand summer :)