The Warming of Bear Lake

No, it is not associated with Global Warming.  It is just part of this weird year we are experiencing.  When I was on the lake two weeks ago the water temperature was 54.  I thought that things are finally starting to warm up after all the snow.  When I was out yesterday the was was 66.  I was suprised until I thought about the huge amount of water pouring in.  As the water come down the tributaries and into the Bear River it warms up during its travels.  Typically the flows of this warm water are not enough to affect the over all lake but this year is different.  It will be interesting to see how warm it gets this summer with an early start.  The photo was taken last week of the Rainbow diversion which is where the water enters the lake.

Summer Visitors to Randolph

It seems like summer will never come if you watch the weather but other things are more consistent like the spring visitors to Randolph.   The visitor center with the historical cabin is located on the corner of East Pond and Main.  It is next to the Post Office, across the street from the City Park and rodeo arena, and kitty corner to the Courthouse.  Main St is actually SR16 which is the primary route for thousands of tourists heading to Bear Lake or other locations all summer long.  Years ago while wandering around under the cottonwoods I found a large black feather which perked my interest.  I started watching the trees during my travels through Randolph and I wasn't long before I found out who was visiting the Tourist Center.

The old trees are being used as roosts for turkey vultures.  They arrive each spring like clockwork.  Up close these are not the most beautiful birds and if upset may throw up on you, but there is nothing more beautiful than watching them soar and circle for hours without ever beating their wings (just don't think about the carcass below).  I have watched these birds for years and I am impressed with the people in Randolph who share their City with them.  Anywhere else they may have been eradicated as a nuisance.  I think they are a unique aspect of the community.  I wish I knew how many years they have been using this roost.  Check them out the next time you come through Randolph in the evening.

Tree Kittens

The weather has been better the last few days so I spent a day roaming around the lake.  It was like the old days when I was a fishery biologist and I drove around the lake road doing creel census and counts.  I always watched nests and the changing ecosystem.   One of my favorite birds was great horned owls.  They use the same nesting site but sometimes they steal them from other birds because they nest early and are not particularly picky.  It is always amazing to me they survive since they are hatched and are big before the leaves come out to hide them.  The two birds in the picture are now out of the nest and hopping around on the ground and climbing trees while they wait for the feathers to grow.  They have to do this because they are too large for the nest.  Each is accompanied by a parent that feeds and protects them during their flightless time.  They always remind me of big fluffy kittens with wide eyes.