Gary W. Vequist - Wildlife Watching in Americas National Parks: A Seasonal Guide

Copyright 2013
by Gary W. Vequist and Daniel S. Licht
Manufactured in China
by Everbest Printing Co.
through FCI Print Group
All rights reserved
First edition

This paper meets the requirements of ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (Permanence of Paper).
Binding materials have been chosen for durability.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Wildlife watching in Americas national parks : a seasonal guide / Gary W. Vequist and Daniel S. Licht. 1st ed.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-60344-814-7 (flexbound (with flaps) : alk. paper)

ISBN 1-60344-814-4 (flexbound (with flaps) : alk. paper)

ISBN 978-1-60344-827-7 (ebookp)

ISBN 1-60344-827-6 (ebookp)

1. Wildlife watchingUnited States. 2. Wildlife recoveryUnited States. 3. National parks and reservesUnited States. I. Licht, Daniel S., 1960- II. Title.

QL155.V38 2013

590.7234dc23

2012028695

Cover photos by Daniel S. Licht (western tanager and prairie dog) and National Park Service (sea turtle hatchlings).

CHAPTER 1

Grand Teton National Park

North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake National Recreation Area

Voyageurs National Park

Isle Royale National Park

CHAPTER 2

Shenandoah National Park

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Yosemite National Park

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Yellowstone National Park

Katmai National Park

CHAPTER 3

Wind Cave National Park

Devils Tower National Monument

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Dinosaur National Monument

CHAPTER 4

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Biscayne National Park

Canaveral National Seashore

Padre Island National Seashore

CHAPTER 5

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Wind Cave National Park

Badlands National Park

Yellowstone National Park

CHAPTER 6

Bandelier National Monument

Big Bend National Park

Organ Pipe Cactus National Park

Saguaro National Park

Chiricahua National Monument

CHAPTER 7

Redwood National Park

Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Muir Woods National Monument

North Cascades and Mount Rainier National Parks

CHAPTER 8

Yellowstone National Park

Grand Teton National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

Niobrara National Scenic River, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and Wind Cave National Park

Pacific Northwest Parks (Olympic, Redwood, Point Reyes)

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

CHAPTER 9

Grand Teton National Park

Acadia National Park

Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway

Voyageurs National Park

Isle Royale National Park

CHAPTER 10

Big Cypress National Preserve

Jean Lafitte National Historic Park

CHAPTER 11

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Channel Islands National Park

Cabrillo National Monument

Acadia National Park

CHAPTER 12

Effigy Mounds National Monument

Missouri National Recreational River

Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River

Pacific Northwest Parks: Olympic, North Cascades, Lake Roosevelt

The idea for this book surfaced while observing an evening flight of bats at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. A small gathering of people watched in awe as wave after wave of bats exited the cave, circled overhead in the fading light, and then disappeared into the night sky. It was apparent that many of the spectators had arrived at the park only a few hours earlier, solely to tour the cave and view its geologic wonders, unaware that on this summer evening one of natures great wildlife spectacles would occur. It was also apparent that many other park visitors, including families with children, had left the park earlier in the day and were back at their hotel rooms. They had missed a breathtaking and unforgettable wildlife-viewing experience.

Unfortunately, this pattern is played out in national parks across the country. Geysers, mountains, and caves attract the visitors in large part because they are easy to see and reliable. Yet its the elusive wildlife that often leaves the most indelible memories. A glimpse of a wolf, the roar of the rutting bison, or the playful antics of the prairie dog are not soon forgotten. But seeing these creatures is not always easy, especially for folks who have limited outdoor experience. Therefore, we have written this book as a guide to seeing wild animals in Americas national parks.

We recognize that people have busy lives and may have limited time to view wildlife, so weve identified the best places and times to see the critters. For example, spring is a great time to observe black bears at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as the animals have just emerged from their winter slumber and are out foraging in the greening meadows. Furthermore, the crowds of people are smaller than they are in summer. We also identify times when the animals are most interesting, enhancing the observers experience. For example, winter is one of the best times to watch bald eagles as they congregate near the open water of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. At this time of year visitors are assured of watching scores of eagles hunt, fight, steal prey, court, and exhibit all the other behaviors that make them so fascinating. And because no animal is an island, we discuss the other species that our focal species interact with, including species they prey on, or may be preyed by. After all, truly understanding the focal species can only be attained when visitors appreciate the intricate web of life they are a part of.

As the title implies, this is also a book about Americas national parks. Our National Park System has often been described as Americas best idea, and we concur. Our national parks are part of our history and, we hope, part of our future and a gift to future generations. Wildlife is an integral part of what makes these lands so priceless. There is, of course, lots of great information already available regarding our parks; however, when it comes to seeing wildlife in the parks, much of that information only scratches the surface. The existing information may give you a list of species present in a park, but we try to tell you how best to see the animals, where in the park they are, and when the best time is to see them. Furthermore, we cover the entire National Park System, giving the reader a system-wide perspective on wildlife watching. As this book demonstrates, just about every part of the country has a park unit within a short drive. Readers may notice that the feature parks are all located in the lower forty-eight states. Our goal is to highlight parks and wildlife that are easily accessible to large numbers of people. There are, of course, incredible wildlife-viewing opportunities in Alaska, Hawaii, and the US territories outside the contiguous states (e.g., Virgin Islands), but space limitations allow us to mention only a few of these spectacular parks.