exploration hikes

I've made sure that long, directionless exploration hikes are part of the schedule up here. I'd say that they're to search for potential hibernacula or roost sites, but really it's to get out and explore the land around us, and if we find bats, well then that's an added bonus.

Yesterday's mission was to make our way down an old trapline to a band of cliffs we spotted from our plane ride two weeks ago. With a GPS and google map in hand, we set off to find the trail. We found ourselves sitting on the side of numerous crystal clear lakes inhabited by loons, and following in the footsteps of moose, and along the trail of bison and wolves (as determined by the scat left on the ground). At one point we looked down at the cliffs that were surrounded by swamp and decided to pick our way down to see if the swamp edge was passable. When we arrived at the water's edge, we discovered the most beautiful scenery of emerald blue waters, bright green grasses, and beaver constructed bridges to walk across, navigating the waterlogged land. Everywhere we turned, what appeared to be swampland from above, was beautifully rich in color and life up close. Niko even found us some mallard eggs which we gently took from his mouth and placed back in the nest unbroken, hoping the mother wouldn't mind a little bit of dog slobber on a few of her unhatched chicks.

Up close, the cliffs looked like great habitat for big brown bats later in the season, but didn't appear to inhabit any at the moment. So we enjoyed a snack on the side of the scree slope and the dogs romped in the soft spongy mosses, and then made our way back home, enthralled with the beauty of the northern marshlands. 

niko checking out the beaver dam

the nest niko found for us