Observation #7

Site: 21750 Buffalo Valley Road

Date: 5/28/2008

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Temperature: 52 degrees farenheit

Weather: A bit chilly. Drizzling on and off, overcast skies, then sun.

Soil: Wet

The flora has started to bud and bloom. A profusion of violets have sprung up. The prairie smoke, meadow rue, dandelions, rosebushes, aspens, and potentella all have leaves or buds or flowers. The earthworms are busy decomposing things and the robins are busy eating them. Some of the sage and rosebushes have entered a symbiotic relationship with parasitic worms and are visibly more sickly than the others without them. There is a small yellow-chested bird continually in motion. It might be a vireo, thrush, or sparrow. A Uinta Ground Squirrel digs under a sagebrush, which provides it with shelter in another symbiotic relationship of commensalism or parasitism; it remains to be seen if the sagebrush is damaged.
The magpies have increased vigilence over their nest. From the loud noises emanating from the region, it seems the eggs have hatched, and the young are hungry. The crows and ducks have long since paired up, but the ruffed grouse, snipes, and frogs are still trying to attract mates by drumming, winnowing and calling. Either their seasons of courtship last longer, demographic stochacisity has taken place and there are no females to be found, or these males are just singularly unsuccessful. There is only one sandhill crane now; it has lost its mate.
Two species of hummingbirds have arrived en masse: the Calliopes and the Broad-tails. They compete both intraspecifically and interspecifically when they are not feeding, or displaying to females. The females are also territorial, and will chase away anything that comes too close.
The winged ants of last week have all but disappeared. Either their life spans are minimal, or their absence must be accredited to the birds.
Everything in the observation area, both flora and fauna, either has offspring or is preparing for them.