The following day was nearly cloudless; wind moderate, westerly;
temperature, 37.5° to 66°--high enough to bring out the black
flies (but extremely few mosquitoes) after several days of
virtual freedom from these scourges. Between 11:30 a.m. and 3
p.m. at least 500 Caribou, coming from the east, must have
passed the mouth of Little River, some swimming across at that
point (figs. 9, 12), and others proceeding various distances
upstream before undertaking the passage. A few of the larger
bands numbered approximately 30, 40, and 75 individuals. Some
consisted largely of does and fawns, some of big bucks. One of
the larger bands approached the river on the run, plunged in
recklessly, and landed on the western shore some 30 feet
directly in front of my battery of cameras. Most of the animals
on this and similar occasions were remarkably indifferent to me
as I operated the cameras in full view of them. Some among them
would approach within a rod or less and stare me in the face
without alarm (figs. 11, 14).
August 29 was a cloudy, nearly calm day, with temperatures
ranging from 49.5° to 73°--conditions more propitious for black
flies than for their victims. There was comparatively little
local movement among the Caribou--in the morning two or three
swimming across the bay and a band of 20 (6 old bucks, the rest
does and fawns) swimming south across the mouth of Windy River;
in mid-afternoon a band of 10 running along the ridge on the
eastern side of Little River; and about 100 reported during the
day in the vicinity of Windy Bay by Fred Schweder, Jr. The “big
movement” had passed its peak.
The next day was largely sunny, with a light easterly or
southeasterly wind and temperatures of 50° to 68°. There were
comparatively few black flies and fewer mosquitoes. During a
five-hour vigil near the mouth of Little River I noticed only
about 50 Caribou, most of them passing westward by ones, twos,
and intermediate numbers up to 17 (does and fawns) in a band.
Mike Schweder reported a total of about 200 animals seen within
a few miles of camp.
The morning of August 31 was dismal and overcast, with a heavy
shower; in the afternoon the sky cleared; wind brisk, south to
west; temperature, 47° to 74.5°. Several Caribou passed along
the eastern side of Little River, and Fred Schweder, Jr.,
reported about 300 some miles north of camp, moving in a
southwesterly direction.
Clouds and rain ushered in the morning of September 1; the
afternoon was sunny; wind light to strong, west to northwest;
temperature, 48° to 60°. The next day was partly cloudy, with a
mist squall or two; wind light to brisk, northwesterly;
temperature, 38° to 51.5°. No Caribou were reported on either
day.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account