Seasons

The Promise of the Equinox
by Rick Graetz

On about December 21, the occasion of the winter solstice, the sun takes a brief respite on the tropic of Capricorn at 23 1/2 degrees south latitude. Then it begins it’s six month odyssey north for a rendezvous with the tropic of Cancer at 23 1/2 degrees north latitude.  Along the way, at a precise second in March, it’s rays are directly overhead on the equator declaring the Spring Equinox. This year that instant occurs at 6:07 PM Montana time Tuesday March 20!

In Montana though it is only a promise of something to come.  March’s third week usually finds us deep in winter with nary a sign of Spring although that is questionable in this year of 2007.  The pledge is that it will happen and the question is when? 

I have had the occasion to observe the arrival of this guarantee in various forms but one moment in time shines.

Early May quite a few years ago, I was in the Missouri River Breaks near Jordan photographing the Charles M Russell Nation Wildlife Refuge.  Daylight in May arrives in the early hours, especially out there nearing the Dakota line and the Central Time Zone.  I opened the door of my habitat before first light to check on the weather.  Snow spitting from low clouds on a north-northeast wind indicated an up slope condition.  My first inclination was to stay in bed a bit longer and see what happens but something tugged at me to head out.

I pointed my iron chariot north towards the Missouri.  After traveling about twenty or so miles out into the breaks following a primitive road on the verge of becoming gumbo, I reached the roads terminus. The north wind was still blowing, the clouds were low and winter was still attempting to hold its ground by shaking out flakes of white like she was emptying her bag. 

In 1902, William Hornaday of the American Museum of Natural History was in this area hunting. He descended into a canyon near here and uncovered one of the world’s first intact T Rex fossils.  I decided to drop down in the canyon in front of me, not in hopes of finding dinosaur remains, but rather to get out of the wind and explore the coulee. 

As I neared the bottom the clouds were lifting.  After poking around awhile, I observed patches of blue sky above and the snow had quit.  I climbed the 600 or so vertical feet out of the ravine and topped the ridge.  The wind had quit and a sense of equilibrium surrounded me. 

As I started heading out on one of the long ridges, the wind picked up again but this time it was from the southwest - the sky was clearing as the clouds were rapidly disappearing.  The wind maintained a steady but warm pace.  I continued my trek northward to have a late lunch on one of the points that overlook the breaks and the Missouri River.  By now the temperature was very comfortable.  As I was perched there I noted small flowers literally opening around me.  I realized that at that instant, the prairie was turning it’s face toward Spring and wouldn’t be denied.  There was no turning back the balmy wind; winter had made a calm surrender… the promise of Equinox was being delivered before my eyes.

My hike back to the vehicle was in the face of a gentle southwest breeze.  Spring is a great time on the prairie and life was good that day!

It is not that winter would not try a brief weak puff now and then as Spring would allow it that freedom but it would never grip the climate again until it’s autumn moment when winds from the north signified it was time.

Happy Equinox! – Rick Graetz
thisismontana@aol.com

BLM Tries to Replicate Nature

The BLM has a goal - Return fire as a natural part of the ecosystem. One of their projects this spring is to create a complete mosaic of a fire from the past that might burn through an area called Lion's Coulee. They are using the best available information, tools, heavy equipment and training. Assistance will come from many other agencies, Forest Service, Fish & Wildlife, state agencies, whatever it takes to get the bodies and equipment. Based on the topography, location and weather factors, an ignition specialist will light controllable strips which are "always under control" and burning in a specific way, not too hot, not too cool, creating mini-habitats for species of plants and animals which prosper under differing conditions. Lion's Coulee had a tornado blow through years ago leaving masses of uproot trees strewn over the landscape. Also, excess Juniper has crowded out many native grasses. Wildlife has diminished and explosive fire danger has increased. The spring fire is an expansive project which is expected to improve Monument habitat.

The Value of Outdoors in Montana

The Monument is a big hunting/fishing area. What does that translate to economically? The Great Falls Tribune offers some idea as to what these activities mean to Montana.

While most industries commission studies to substantiate their value, Aasheim (conservation education administrator for Fish Wildlife and Parks) says fish and game agencies never played that game. "We decided to do it because it makes a difference in the decision-making process."FWP tapped a variety of sources for information - FWP's own bio-economic research, U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service; some from the USDept of Commerce; some from the USDept. of the Interior. Expenditures are based on per day figures, which include transportation costs, lodging, food and beverages, equipment and licenses.

• a. Hunting - MT has the highest per capita participation in the US at 24%. That's 2 million days afield hunting elk, deer, antelope and upland game birds each year. Nonresidents spend over 250,000 days afield hunting the same species
• b. Fishing - Montanans spend over 2 million days annually, nonresidents spend over 800,000
• c. Economics - Hunters spend over $300 million annually in MT; wildlife watchers spend more than $391 million; anglers spend over $422 million.
• d. 3 of the top 5 cities in the US where individuals of the community hunt or shoot are in Montana (Glendive, Missoula and Butte)
• e. More than 225,000 Montanans apply for special hunting licenses and permits annually.
• f. PPL Montana commissioned a study of Montana residents on quality of life issues in 2005. From the study.more than 60% counted access to public lands and waterways and associated opportunities as serious issues facing the state. Both new residents (74%) and long-term Montanans (76%) agree that outdoor recreation activity suc as hunting and fishing are important reasons for living in MT; skiing, hiking and bicycling are cited by 86% of long-term residents and 97% of new-comers.

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