Observation #1

Site: Elk Refuge

Date: May 10th

Time: 6:14 pm

Temperature: 58° F

Weather: Clear sunny skies, a few clouds

Soil: dry

My observation is from the perspective of the west side of the Elk Refuge, which is North of town. There is a population of Elk grazing in the area (big surprise), but there is not very much action occurring. During the winter there are a lot more elk on the refuge, because they resort to the lower elevations when they have low food sources in the mountains. Right now they are in their migrating season, so the amount of elk on the refuge is low. There are more elk in the regions of green grass which are mostly located along the borders of the refuge. Im guessing this is because Elk feed on grasses, and the grass near the center of the refuge is still dead. The soil is dry right now, but probably marshy near the streams and ponds. The refuge is wide and flat and there is not much plant diversity, and there are no trees. There is a lot of sagebrush, but the ground is mostly is blanketed in brown dead grass. Hopefully soon it will be green because that means summer!!! yayy