The natural environment and history of Kalispell’s West Valley area
by Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org
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In northwest Montana, wild huckleberries rule the berry world. (Never mind that what we call huckleberries are not actually huckleberries at all, but rather a species of blueberry. I realize I could be shot for saying this.) But lately, another berry–this one cultivated–has been making its appearance in the West Valley area–honeyberries.
by Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org
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We have several beds of bee balm (bergamot), both native varieties and cultivars, planted around our property to attract bees and hummingbirds, which it does in huge numbers. It’s not uncommon find more than a dozen species of bees foraging for nectar on a single bed.
Lately, I’ve noticed a virtual invasion of a bee species that is new to me–a small, gray striped bee that looks like a cross between a honey bee and a bumblebee. True to form, it’s neither. It turns out that this is an urbane digger bee (Anthrophora urbana).
by Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org
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Ghost pipe, which is known by many other names including ghost flower, corpse plant, and Indian pipe, may be found in the West Valley area. If you do run across any, please take a few photos and then leave it alone, for reasons that will be explained below.
by Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org
Note: Click to enlarge photos.
It’s always fun to run across a species that you have never encountered before, and that was the case for me today when I observed this Western Sheep Moth while I walking the trails in Happy Valley.
Western Sheep Moths are native to the western US. Their main range is southern California and the Sierra Nevada mountains, and while they are not common here in the valley, there are several reports on iNaturalist of encounters with them in our area.
Unlike many moth species, Western Sheep Moths are daytime flyers, and rather large as local moths go–a bit smaller than a Luna Moth with an average wingspan of roughly three inches. Their identifying characteristics include pink, orange and yellow wing spots, black and yellow striped abdomen, prominent feathery antennae, and a tuft of bright yellow fur across the top of the thorax.
Western Sheep Moths lay their eggs in the summer months on roses (Rosaceae), both wild and cultivated. Their caterpillars (larvae) feed on them. They are also known to feed on buckthorns, an invasive species here in Montana. While they are not important pollinators, they are known to inadvertantly serve this function.
Why are they called Sheep Moths? It turns out that they can be pests for sheep farmers, as adults will feed on the wool of domesticated sheep, degrading the quality and quantity of the wool. Sheep moths can cause a 15% drop in the quantity of wool produced by a flock.They are also known to invade homes and feast on wool and other clothing. They are prey for many birds species, and they are known to eat some insects.
Have you encountered a sheep moth in your wanderings? Do you see them as pests? Part of the ecosystem? Let me know in the comments.
by Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org
Editor’s note: This article is a followup to this article from August 2024. The many uses of hemp are discussed in detail in that article.
If you have driven down West Valley Drive north of West Reserve this spring, you have probably noticed the large number of hemp bales in the fields on either side of the road near the intersection with Coclet.. There are only two hemp growers in the valley and this operation of about 400 acres total between the two fields is one of them.
by Jeanine Buetttner
nammy@montanasky.com
The following is the text of an interview with Mabel Grosswiler (Mrs. Carl Grosswiler) published in the Daily Inter Lake in November, 1949.
In 1875 an immigrant boy from Switzerland landed in New York to join his brother. Their father had accidentally drowned when they were very young, and the widowed mother never saw her boys again after they came to America. Frank Xavier Grosswiler was just 18 years old when he came to America.
by Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org
A brief photoessay of some beautifully varied ice, snow and frost manifestations from the north shore of Flathead Lake. As you approach the edge of the open water, marvel at the effects of wave action, multiple thawing and refreezing, snow, wind, and temperature changes on the ice. Also look carefully to find some stunning examples of tiny air bubbles trapped in clear ice as they try to make their way to the surface. Something new in every step.
If you go, wear spikes and bring poles. Also, remember that this area is closed on March 1 to protect critical breeding habitat for a wide variety of birds.
by Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org
Over the past few years, we’ve presented several articles here on our web site dealing with different forms of ice–or more properly, frozen water or water vapor. Here are some:
In this article, we’ll take a look at another icy phenomenon–Needle Ice.
by Dick Walker
dickwalker2009@hotmail.com
walker photography.smugmug.com
I count cranes, specifically on six sections of grain and hay fields and ponds in the west valley. I go every day, late morning, 365 days a year unless I’m gone. Some people go to the gym, some for coffee with friends, some go to work. (More images of Dick’s photography are viewable on this companion article on our web site.)
by Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org
Editor’s Note: This gallery of Dick’s extraordinary photography is a companion piece to Dick’s critically important post Bird Flu in West Valley. We are grateful to Dick for allowing us to publish these images on our site. You can find many more at walkerphotography.smugmug.com.
by Pat Jaquith
pat@westvalleynaturalists.org
Jeanine and Kevin Butler
nammy@montanasky.com
Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org
Editor’s Note: This is a followup story to The Ashley Creek Ditch, originally published here in February 2023. That article tells the story of the establishment of the irrigation ditch and its importance to valley farmers and families in the early 1900s.
The original Ashley Creek Ditch is no longer in existence as a contiguous waterway. Most of the ditch has been plowed under, paved, built on, or otherwise reclaimed from its original purpose. But there are a couple of remnants of the waterway still around. Pat Jaquith (with permission of the current property owners) was able to locate some sections and take a few photos. We are not disclosing the exact location of the ditch as parts of it are on private property.
Continue Reading →by Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org
This is a recreation of a presentation given to the Flathead Audubon Society in April 2024 during the Warbler Weekend at Tally Lake. I had several goals for the presentation. One was to lay out in a very basic way the geological history of our valley–how we got here and why things are the way they are. Another was to look at some basic hydrology issues in our valley–streams, lakes, and other resources–in the context of the constant geological and developmental changes that we are experiencing, both natural and human caused. Finally, I wanted to put all of these issues into a context that might help us think about what the future holds for us in terms of our access to water, wildlife, and recreation in the valley.
This presentation intentionally raises more questions than it provides answers. I would welcome comments, suggestions, criticisms, and other points of discussion.
Continue Reading →by Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org
A few weeks ago on a walk through the Bear Paw Battlefield south of Malta, I photographed a bumble bee that I couldn’t identify. The community at iNaturalist agreed that it is an Indiscriminate Cuckoo Bumble Bee. Curiosity peaked once again, I went on a search for more information.
by Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org
Editor’s note: This post has an update with some new information.
If you have driven down West Valley Drive this summer, you have probably noticed a new agricultural crop growing in a couple of the fields near Coclet. It’s hemp, and I wanted to know more about it.
Continue Reading →by Skip Via
skip@westvalleynaturalists.org
A few days ago I noticed dozens of what I thought were bees on some flowering peppermint plants near my deck. On closer inspection, it turns out that they weren’t bees at all, but rather drone-flies. Curiosity peaked, I did a bit of research.
