National Parks
Remembering Grizzly 399: A Legacy and a Call for Protection
Grizzly 399 passed away six weeks ago after being struck by a car in the Snake River canyon. But, it was more than a bear that passed away. In an important way, it was also a dream and a hope that passed away. So many people have visited Grand Teton just to have a chance…
Read MoreGrand Teton’s Killdeer: A Bird of Action
Imagine drifting down the Snake River, with the majestic Grand Tetons looming overhead to the west. Suddenly, a flash of brown streaks across the shoreline with fast, stiff, and intermittent wingbeats, its shrill two-tone call echoing in the air. You’ve just encountered a Killdeer, a fascinating shorebird that thrives in Grand Teton National Park! While…
Read MoreCelebrating Mother’s Day, a New Season and Opening Day on the Snake River!
It’s mid May and the days are growing longer. Resident and migratory birds are singing their nesting songs, and a sense of renewal hangs in the crisp Jackson Hole air. Here at Barker-Ewing Scenic Float Trips, the long winter has ended and opening day for our Snake River rafting season in Grand Teton National Park…
Read MoreThe Riparian Zone: Secrets of the Grand Teton Moose
Imagine this: Majestic antlers pierce the twilight sky, a powerful silhouette looms against the backdrop of the Tetons – the moose is an emblem of Grand Teton National Park. But for Barker Ewing Scenic Float Trips, a moose sighting is more than just a photo op; it’s a chance to witness a fascinating creature in…
Read MoreDip! Wade! Swim!
The water ouzel was my father’s favorite bird. Sometimes I think it was his favorite because he liked to say “water ouzel.” Try it, it’s fun! There are five water ouzel varieties throughout the world, and our local ouzel is the American dipper. (Not as much fun to say.) The American dipper is roughly robin-sized…
Read MoreUnmistakable Signs of Spring
Oh, the signs of spring. Squadrons of Geese are winging northward, stopping briefly in our valley to rest and recharge before continuing on to their summer roosts in Canada. Flocks of Sandhill Cranes entertain us with their distinctive clacking calls as they return from warm southern states. Pronghorn and Mule Deer make their way into…
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