Some of you have been wondering what's become of me, as I have made relatively few appearances lately. Today is a rare day off for me, and it gives me a chance to tell you what I've been doing.
Since late July I have been roaming the Northwest, working on three different forest inventory projects. Most of that time I have camped near the forest I was working in. Now, with 20-degree mornings and long dark nights, I'm staying in rustic motels instead.
All of this year's jobs have paid on a production basis, rather than an hourly or daily rate. That gives me a strong incentive to work long hours and to take few days off. Add the fact that I saw no rain for two and a half months, and you have foresterbob hanging out in the woods instead of commenting on Daily Kos.
This morning, however, I awoke to a strange sound. In my not-quite-awake state, it took a few moments to realize what I was hearing: rain! Yesterday, by very good fortune, I completed a very isolated area accessed only by many miles of dirt roads. Today was a planned day off, giving me a chance to move 30 miles down the highway to a new location.
My "home" for the past two weeks has been the area around Cascade, Idaho, which is about 75 miles north of Boise. The area is largely forested, with small towns in the valleys next to lakes and rivers. Valley elevation is around 5,000 feet. Here's a broad view of my working area. Beyond the first hill, the land drops off towards the North Fork of the Payette River.
Here's the river. If you look closely at the lower left of the image below, you'll spot a small hornet's nest. After several hard freezes, there was nobody at home.
If I was looking for flat ground to work on, I came to the wrong place.
What good is an October photo diary without fall colors?
There aren't many aspens in this area, but I found two of them to frame this picture.
Below: Conifers on steep ground, in late afternoon sunlight. The light colored crowns are due to insect defoliation, most likely spruce budworm. Despite its name, budworm seems to prefer grand firs, and then goes after other species.
A recent Backyard Science diary showed fossilized insects in amber. Here is potential amber in the making. A ponderosa pine growing next to a road had some of its bark skinned off. It responded by producing sap to cover the injury. On hot days the resin is soft and sticky, and unwary insects can get trapped.
Alder trees are not famous for fall colors. After a hard freeze, the green leaves of Sitka alder drop almost immediately.
Left: A hot spring tempts visitors on a local road, but it's on private property.
Below: Streams on isolated forest lands sparkle with clean water.
Be careful driving on back roads. Maintenance is very expensive; bridges and culverts can wash out after heavy rain or rapid snow melt. Boulders can roll down steep slopes and make themselves at home in the road bed. Bushes and young trees crowd the edges of the road, mercilessly scratching the sides of your truck.
Interesting rock formations abound. Boulders with multiple fractures provide a lesson in both geology and geometry. A sliver of light glints through a split rock. Pac-man waits beside a road.