ach week I often wonder what I will write about. A few days ago, while working in the yard, a swarm of Yellowjackets said “Don’t forget about us!” Yellowjackets have an interesting life cycle.

EVWC recently coordinated two large groups of volunteers to help with the ongoing restoration efforts at Fish Creek.

What’s in a name? Strawberry blite, Strawberry spinach, Strawberry goosefoot, Blite goosefoot, Indian paint, Indian ink, and Beetberry. All these are common names are for a single plant and many are descriptive and indicative of its many uses.

Birth of a forest. I find the successional process after a wildfire fascinating. As many of you may remember, in October of 2020, the East Troublesome fire roared through the old growth forest of Fern and Spruce Canyons. Parts of the areas hadn’t seen significant fire for hundreds of years and the results were shocking.

Last week we looked at many of the wildflowers that have been thriving in the Estes Valley with our rainy weather. We are not alone in enjoying these flowers. A wide array of pollinators appreciate them, too.

While the weather may have put a damper on last night’s fireworks, the moisture has been a boon for wildflowers in the Estes Valley. Here are just a few that you can find blooming right now.

100 years ago both Grizzly and Black bears roamed the Estes Valley. In fact, Grizzly bears could be found throughout Colorado and even well into the western plains states and south into Mexico. Now Grizzlies are relegated to the Northern Rocky states and Canada.

Happy first day of summer! Thanks to our recent rains we are off to a banner wildflower season. I am sure you have seen meadows full of irises, wallflowers, Penstemons, and especially Golden banner.

Bare footing in the park, or should we say “bear footing”. Bear tracks are a pretty rare sight in the Estes Valley for several reasons.

Looking for a plus side to all this rainy weather? This could be a banner year for wildflowers in the Estes Valley. One particular beauty that thrives in shady, damp coniferous forests is the rare Calypso Orchid, also known as the Fairy Slipper Orchid.

June is the time that the newest generation of elk, deer, and bighorn sheep appear in the Estes Valley. During their first few weeks, these young ones are in their most vulnerable state until they gain the strength and speed needed to elude predators. Prior to giving birth each mother will leave her herd for a secluded spot.

It is elk calving season once again here in the Estes Valley. Have you ever wondered what makes this such a special place to give birth?

This week’s featured bird is the Osprey. The Osprey is found in many parts of the world. In North America, it breeds in the northern US and Canada and over-winters in Central and South America. There are also populations that breed in Europe and the Eurasian continent all the way to Japan that then over-winter in India and the southern half of the African continent.

In the Estes Valley, May is a great time to view the Dusky Grouse. After wintering near tree line in Douglas Fir and Lodgepole Pine forests, males descend to lower elevations to establish breeding territories which they may vigorously defend.

Rivers and creeks are swollen with rain and the beginning of snowmelt this week, and will continue to surge well into June this year due to additional snowpack and a cooler-than-average spring.

With the melting of snow and new moisture from fresh precipitation, Mountain Ball Cactus emerge from dormancy.

EVWC hosted a table offering kids’ fishing activities during the recent Rotary Duck Race on May 6th.

Wildflower Wednesday. We are starting to see a little color here in the Estes Valley. While April is usually the start of wildflower season, this year the flowers are popping up a couple of weeks late. I always look forward to these early bloomers. But wait! One of these is not a flower at all. Can you spot it? There is a fungus among us!

Trout may seem brightly-colored, but they’re actually quite well camouflaged when viewed within their own unique environments.

If you love viewing wildlife (and if you are reading this, I assume you do) spring snows like we had last night can be your best friend.