Observaciones de gdurkee

In addition to nice rainbow at McClure Meadow, Kings Canyon National Park, note invading lodgepole pine at edge of mature forest. This is a common phenomenon in the Sierra. Surges -- or pulses -- of lodgepole have been invading meadows the last 100 years, possibly due to warming temperatures. McClure Meadow will be reduced in size by about 20% in the next 10 years or so.

May not be ovalifolium... . Commonly seen at alpine levels (above 10,000 feet) . This one on top of Glen Pass, Kings Canyon NP. They hug the rocks to get as much warmth as possible at alpine elevations.

Skypilot, Polemonium eximium. Probably the most fragrant flower in the Sierra. Very short blooming period (early July) in Sierra above 11,800 feet -- seen on many Sierra passes. This one just below Glen Pass, Kings Canyon National Park, CA.

Just below Glen Pass, Kings Canyon National Park. Very showy composite almost always above 11,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada and the White Mountains.

Latin name: Hulsea algida A. Gray
Pronunciation: HUL-see-a AL-ji-da
Common name: Alpine gold hulsea
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Habitat: Subalpine to alpine fell-fields and talus slopes,
9000'-13,500', White-Inyo Mountains
Blooming period: July to August

Wildfire in grove of Foxtail Pine, near Bullfrog Lake, Kings Canyon National Park, CA. Continuous ground fuel was sparse -- mostly dirt and gravel. Fire spread by crowning and sparks to next clump of fuel below live trees. Probably started by camper burning toilet paper.

Adult Townsend's Hare (aka White Tailed Jackrabbit) at Charlotte Lake, Kings Canyon National Park. Resident for the whole summer of 2008. Also saw a juvenile several times. They live in the area year 'round.

Adult and 3 chicks (not visible) near Bullfrog Lake, Kings Canyon National Park, CA, USA. One of the chicks later seen with a broken foot. I've seen Grouse in the same location for the last 20 years or so.

McClure Meadow, Kings Canyon National Park, CA. Undoubtedly a domestic homing pigeon (had a band on one leg). Hung around for about 3 days, then disappeared. Possibly lunch for the Goshawk or Harrier or maybe a coyote. But maybe s/he found her way home, at last. Never seen one this high (9,600 feet).
20080426: I originally id'd this generally as a pigeon. Kueda said Rock Dove and I'll go with that.

Adult and 6 chicks -- note how well they blend in. Almost stepped on one of the chicks. Adult female exploded out of the grass in standard "scare and distract" ploy. Of course, wily camper that I am, I immediately looked for the chicks.

One of the lowest elevation pikas I'd heard or seen in quite sometime (about 8,000 feet). Likely as a result of global warming, their range has gone up about 1,000 feet + in the last 100 years. As recently as the 80s and 90s I would routinely hear pikas in the lower part of the canyon here.