Jackson Hole Wildlife Eco-Tour Adventures

The wildlife abounds here in Grand Teton National Park.  Let our experienced guides show you the wildlife hotspots and inform you about this amazing ecosystem.  

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The Mountain Goat, Oreamnos americanus, is non-native to the Jackson Hole area; it was introduced to the Snake River Range in the mid 1970’s.    They can be seen during the winter months along highway 89 just north of Alpine Wy. in the Snake River Canyon.  They occasionally range 30+ miles north into the Teton Mountain Range.   There is the possible threat that during the winter months they will compete for forage with the very sensitive and non-migratory native Teton Bighorn Sheep herd.    

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The Teton sheep heard is divided into two distinct segments (north and south), studies are in progress to determine whether any mixing might occur.  The north segment occurs on the high elevation summits and ridges of the northern range across from Jackson Lake.  The southern segment occurs on the high peaks in the southern range.  Winter and summer sightings have been made on Rendezvous peak, Mt. Hunt, and on Prospectors Mtn.  Remember that the summits of Mt. Hunt and Prospectors Mtn. are closed to human use during the winter months to give the sheep a location where they won’t be disturbed by backcountry skiers. ....... …

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     Each spring, Ravens are some of the first birds in this area to show courtship display.  The male at times will perform aerial displays of soaring, diving, and tumbling.   Often the male and female will lock talons and tumble down towards the ground.  On sunny and warm days ravens can be seen preening each other.    Ravens are monogamous and will typically use the same nest site year after year.    They usually have one clutch that consists of 4-6 eggs laid.  The female incubates for 20 or so days while she is fed by the male.   The young ravens will develop in the nest for 40 days or so before they fledge.   During this time both the male and female tend the young.      …

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 We are booking for our summer season.  Our guides will show you the best of the best when it comes to the wildlife hotspots and areas away from the crowds.   We are offering tours into Yellowstone National Park as well into Grand Teton National Park.   Tour with us for an experience you will not forget.    

Ehrlich,  P., Dobkin, D., and Wheye,  D. 1988 The Birders Handbook. Simon & Schuster Inc. New York

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Wolves are back on the National Elk Refuge, bison are seen in large herds in Grand Teton National Park,  bighorn sheep are being spotted on some of the craggy cliffs in the area, as elk are still migrating down to the valley.    Enjoy a wildlife tour with EcoTour Adventures to explore Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole.   We provide a fun and educational experience for the whole family or for that honeymooning couple.    

 

 Welcome to winter!   The snow has begun to fall here in the Tetons making the skiers quite happy.   Through December and the first weeks of January things were quite dry and cold.   We saw cold snaps, where temperatures were dropping in to the -20’ies.  The wildlife was responding accordingly.   There are incredible physical and behavioral adaptations that animals posses that help them through Wyoming’s intense winter.   Wyoming’s deep snows can hurt or actually benefit some wildlife.    

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During the past two week over 95 inches of snow has fallen on the Teton Mountain Range.    This has brought our snow totals for this winter to over 273 inches.   We currently have a base of 79 inches.   We skiers are quite happy for this recent snowfall.   This is a welcome change from the high pressure that was found over the region during December and the first weeks of January.   High pressure brings inversions to the area where temperatures in the Jackson Hole Valley were dipping into the -20ies and mountain temperatures were climbing into the 20ies and 30ies.

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 Super cold temperatures and heavy snows really affect the resident wildlife.   It’s common to see some of the larger mammals bedded down to reduce their exposure to the wind and at the same time laying on top of their legs as to reduce the amount of their body exposed to the outside environment.   This is a great example of a behavioral adaptation.  An example of a physical adaptation would be the hollow hairs found on the coats of different mammals.   This hollow hair traps air providing additional insulation for the animal.    Hollow hairs also benefit the animal by providing additional buoyancy.    Elk, moose, and deer are excellent swimmers.

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  Our deep snow in the valley can be a mixed blessing.   Snow is a great insulator where it helps protect small mammals and even some birds from the deep cold, they burrow into the snow to find the warmer temperatures closer to the ground.    On the flip side, snow can really hinder the movement and foraging abilities of some of the larger mammals.  Animals like pronghorn antelope are migratory in nature and are North America’s second longest distance migratory animal, second to the caribou.   The pronghorn migrate up to 200 miles from Grand Teton National Park down south into the Red Desert.   It seems that every year there is a small segment of the heard that chooses not to migrate.   As the pronghorn have short legs (about 24 inches long) and extremely small hoofs, they are really inefficient at traveling and foraging through deep snow.    If the snow continues to fall this winter, it’s unlikely that the stragglers will live to see the spring.   We hope the best for them..

 We hope you can join us to experience this amazing area.   We specialize in small group tours to connect you to this amazing ecosystem.

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Winter has begun in Jackson Hole.   During the past week we have received over three feet of new snow.   The elk and bison are migrating and making their way into the National Elk Refuge.       During the past week we have had some amazing animal sightings.    On a recent tour we had amazing sightings of five moose,  countless elk ,  eleven wolves,  thirty or so bighorn sheep, 26 bald eagles, a heard of pronghorn antelope, and one red fox…

 

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.   Embark on an EcoTour with us to explore and get connected to this amazing area.     Enjoy the pictures..

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Just quick thanks for making the summer of 2009 a memorable one for EcoTour Adventures.   Thanks for everyone’s contributions to Craighead Beringia South and the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance through our Dollar for Conservation program.    With the built in donation in the tour prices, EcoTour Adventures was able to raise and contribute over $2,400 dollars for these wildlife minded non-profit organizations.  If you took a tour with us, or referred participants to us, YOU helped contributed to the conservation of this amazing ecosystem. 

 

   Both of the organizations that we have partnered with have been involved in some very cool and interesting projects.    

 

.Craighead Beringia South has been performing ongoing research concerning the heavy metal lead and its presence in scavengers during the big game hunt in Jackson Hole.     Many hunters are using lead bullets to take their elk during the hunting season and leaving the gut piles in the field where scavengers are consuming the lead tainted remains.   Animals like ravens, wolves, bald eagles, golden eagles, bears, and cougars are currently being tested for exposure to lead.   Beringia South has now acquired funds to purchase non-lead ammunition which they are giving free of charge to hunters in the area.  

 

 

 

One amazing victory for the Snake River is the passage of the Snake River Headwaters Legacy Act.   This act brings 387 miles of the Snake River and its tributaries under the protection of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.  This was successful with the help of EcoTour Adventures’ other non-profit partner, The Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance.   

Good job guys.   EcoTour Adventures is glad to help!

 

 

 

Just by taking an EcoTour with us you are helping contribute to the conservation of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and at the same time learning a lot and having tons of fun!   Join us to experience this amazing area while we create memories together to last a lifetime.

 

 

 

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 Join Wildlife biologist, Taylor Phillips and Photographer Extraordinaire Lane Griffin for a Sunday excursion in Grand Teton National Park. 

         We will intertwine lessons on digital photography and animal behavior in a stunning setting.  Two tours for one great price!  Hurry and reserve your spot today.    Explore some of Lane’s amazing work at (http://www.lanegriffin.com) to experience her talent and styles.   

 

                                         

             All levels of digital photographic knowledge are welcome.  We will be discussing the gamut of camera mechanics, digital capture techniques,  workflow, etc.  We will be guided in the EcoTour BioDiesel van for an early start to capture the best moment in the Tetons- Sunrise!  On our excursion through the park, we will discuss composition and various elements to make the most of any situation.  There will be plenty of practice on how to quickly transition from landscape to wildlife photography.  Basic concepts of exposure and depth of field to more technical information about panoramic stitching, High Dynamic Range and asset management can be discussed on a personal basis.  You’ll have plenty of time to learn about your surroundings too!  Taylor has a wealth of knowledge about the landscape and wildlife; and has an uncanny ability to find them!  Our capacity is only 8, so you’ll experience one on one teaching.  We’ll provide snacks, lunch and coffee.  Hurry before spaces fill up ~ Book before June 30th!  $275.00 per person

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