Look for Yellow and Black in Bitterroot’s Natural Areas

As Autumn arrives, Bob Danley notices some changes in the Bitterroot's natural environs, including a caterpillar that might be mistaken for a Wooly Bear caterpillar. The Yellow-spotted Tiger Moth has a yellow band instead of the Woooly's brown middle section and there are long white hairs growing from the back portion of the caterpillar (Or is that the front portion? No, wait. It's moving that direction ... )

Also on the Bitterroot Outdoor Journal (heard Thursday mornings about 7:50 a.m. on KLYQ 1240 AM and klyq.com), Bob talks about the Yellow-rumped Warbler. It is about 5 inches long with a 9-inch wingspan and has a yellow patch on its rear, along with a yellow throat (see the photo below). The bird has a husky "chip" sound and is in migration through the valley. Stop and take a look around this week. The colors are just beginning to change in Western Montana. Great weather right now for a beautiful fall!

In the air above, you can see the black silhouettes of hawks flying through - including lots of turkey vultures.