Grand Teton [Wyoming] National ParkUnited States. Department of the Interior
History
Grand Teton [Wyoming] National Park
United States. Department of the Interior
Grand Teton National Park (Wyo.)
The Grand Teton National Park offers much to the bird student. Though
the region is old in history, it is new in possibilities of avian
observation, and the seeker finds types from those which inhabit the
arid sagebrush plains to those which spend their lives in the frigid
atmosphere far above timber line.
In number, there are more than 100 species, a variety which will keep
any ornithologist busy for as long as his stay permits. A list of 93
species was made during June and July 1933, and at least 3 more species
were added in 1934. Many of these are easily studied within a few
hundred yards of the Jenny Lake Ranger Station.
TREES AND PLANTS
In several respects the flora of the Tetons is unique. The high
mountains have constituted a barrier to plant migration which many forms
could not cross; hence the range limit of a number of plants is found
here. Representatives from north, south, east, and west are found in
this general region, this being the limit, in many instances, of their
distribution. There are many plants typical of the central Rockies, and
a few known only to this range. Five life zones are recognized within
the park, all occurring in a distance of less than 15 miles. Plants
migrating from other regions have grown equally well in each zone.
The flowering period begins in the park as soon as the ridges and flats
are free of snow in May, and it continues until about August 15 in the
Arctic-Alpine Zone. Hence, plants of at least one zone and usually of
several may be seen blooming at any time in the spring or summer.
The evergreen trees form an appropriate frame for the majestic Teton
peaks and are reflected in the beautiful lakes which they encircle.
Lodgepole pine is the most common tree, covering the floor of the valley
and extending up the mountains to about 8,000 feet. The pines may be
easily distinguished from the other evergreens by the long slender
needles occurring in bundles. Lodgepole has two needles in each bundle.
Trees of this species were extensively used by the Indians for lodge
poles.
Whitebark pine is the tree of timber line; the occasional specimens
found at a lower elevation are usually dwarfed. Needles occur five in
each bundle; cones 2 to 3 inches long and almost ovate; the tree is
much-branched and of medium size.
[Illustration: THE SNOW-CAPPED TETONS LOOK DOWN ON BEAUTIFUL WILD-FLOWER
FIELDS
_Copyright, Crandall._]
Douglas tree has been called "Douglas spruce", "Douglas fir", and "red
fir"; however, it is neither a spruce nor a fir but is worthy of
separate distinction. One needle; cones 2 to 4 inches long; a
three-lobed bract projects from beneath each scale of the cone, a very
distinctive character; common at middle elevations.
Alpine fir grows from the base of the mountains to timber line; at high
altitudes it is dwarfed and sprawling. One needle, flat; cones 2 to 3
inches long, scales paper-like; tree usually pyramidal and beautifully
symmetrical.
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