Rainforest rut
Last fall I described elements of rutting season in mountain goats, but did not attempt a comprehensive review. Because snows held off longer in fall, 2020, the rut was more observable last year. But thanks in part to my ‘goating’ friends and advisors—especially naturalist Steve Merli and wildife biologist Kevin White—I was better positioned in fall 2021 to document this exciting time in the life of Jánwu. It also didn’t hurt to have an “interplanetary zoom” camera, And we’ve learned a bit more about where to place motioncams for ringside seats in otherwise unscopable forest.
PS, October 2022: We’re wrapping up the mammoth teachers’ conference called STEAM, during which Steve Merli and I did a lot of goating right from the gym-door alcove at Yada.at Kalé, beautifully adorned face (JD High). Right on cue, found the first Nettleslide descenders, coming down from summer range beyond the reflector. What other schools in the world can watch jánwu-rut, just a couple steps from the door?!