NOTES FROM ABOVE THE TREE LINE
ROCK PTARMIGAN
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FROM THE FIELD
9 Binoculars for Looking at a Bird That Will Leave Before You Focus Them
Birding begins with a simple desire: to look at a bird. Binoculars improve this process by introducing focus wheels, diopter adjustments, field of view,…
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FROM THE FIELD
Yellowstone Is Basically Plumbing
Yellowstone contains more than ten thousand hydrothermal features. More than five hundred active geysers.
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FROM THE FIELD
Local Man Reaches Scenic Overlook, Immediately Checks Phone
After climbing 2.7 miles to an unobstructed mountain overlook Saturday, local resident Evan Keller spent his first 46 seconds at the summit checking whether…
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11 Camping Mugs That Suggest You Own a Subaru
A camping mug is a drinking vessel with a recreational identity. A normal mug says: coffee. A camping…
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Why the Moose Is Such a Terrible Shape
The moose looks unfinished. The legs are too long. The torso is enormous. The head extends into an…
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Area Moose Requests Everyone Just Calm the Fuck Down
A bull moose feeding beside a park road Thursday asked approximately 40 visitors to “calm the fuck down”…
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11 American Animals With Completely Unnecessary Names
Animals do not choose their common names. This should be remembered before criticizing them. Some biologist, hunter, settler,…
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The Corpse Flower Smells Like Death on Purpose
The corpse flower spends years preparing to smell terrible. This is commitment. A mature plant stores energy underground…
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Local Goose Expands Territorial Claim to Include Entire Parking Lot
A Canada goose occupying three parking spaces near the south entrance expanded its territorial claim Tuesday to include…
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10 Hammocks for Sleeping Terribly Between Two Trees
Beds have spent centuries solving a straightforward engineering problem: provide a relatively flat surface.
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13 Things Rangers Would Like You to Stop Doing Immediately
Park rangers have many jobs. Resource protection. Search and rescue. Law enforcement. Interpretation. Wildlife management. Fire response. Visitor…
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The Mountain Goat Has No Business Being Up There
A mountain goat standing on a cliff produces two simultaneous thoughts. First: Beautiful animal. Second:
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Bald Eagle Reminds Reporters It Personally Represents America
A bald eagle interrupted a regional watershed-restoration announcement Friday to remind assembled reporters that it remains “the primary…
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11 Headlamps for Blinding Everyone at the Campsite
The headlamp solved one of camping’s oldest problems: humans need two hands to make dinner, find the bathroom,…
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Why Death Valley Occasionally Becomes a Lake
Death Valley contains the lowest point in North America. Badwater Basin sits 282 feet below sea level.
The mountain will still be there tomorrow.
Probably. Browse the complete archive of field notes, wildlife reports, questionable advice, and outdoor opinions.