Yellowstone Elk
Day 3 - My last day here, and on my way to the North side to the Lamar Valley, and Mammoth Hot Springs area. One the way there was one pool I stopped at and then proceeded on to a wide turnout with a great view. While there and off in the distance I thought I saw a Bison on the ground but it was odd, as all I could see or thought I saw was the head and shoulders. The light wasn't so good and putting on the tele-converter only cut more light. I was sure it was a Bison that maybe was stuck int he mud and it wasn't moving, so I assumed it was dead. Back in the truck and headed to the North side.
As I went over the pass I found so many more pools, steam vents even at this high elevation. On the north side it was mostly sunny, and few patches of snow. You know there is some action going on whenever you see a group of cars parked and soon after I was in the Lamar Valley this happened. At this point there was a pack of 5 wolves, playing and having a meal on a carcass of some sort, the light was low so we couldn't tell what it was. When they were finished the Ravens, who had been watching close by, moved in and got some of the feast. All this time there were two Bison about a 100 yards off to one side watching all this. In the group of people there was a Ranger and he mentioned that the bison, as big as they are, will be very cautious of a wolf pack. When the pack joins forces they can take a Bison down. There are always a few people in the park even in the off season to visit with, and one gentleman from that group flagged me down a little further down the road....he had seen a Black Bear through his telescope and invited me to take a look. I stopped and took him up on his offer and, OH MY what a beautiful animal. It was way across the Lamar Valley so I couldn't reach it with my camera but it was great to see. Still a little further I ran into him again in a place where I had seen and photographed Big Horn sheep the year before when I was in this very spot. They were not in sight, but it was a good place for lunch. I passed Mr Telescope a few times as we both proceeded to the East entrance of the park. That gate is still locked to you turn and head back westward a this point.
I can never drive too fast in this park so I pulled over to let some people by and who should be there but Mr. Telescope, and again we had a great talk.....It seems that he does have a name, Richard, what an interesting person. He lives near by and can visit this place often.
I so wanted to see and photography more Big Horn Sheep and Bear, but haven't seen any yet. As I head back to the West side I stopped at the place where the Bison was stuck in the mud. There were many cars there so I stopped to see what was going on. The light was better and I could see and photograph what I and another person thought was a dead animal, when all of a sudden it moved. The animal was almost halfway submerged in the mud and couldn't get out, thrashing about only made the situation worse. It will be left there and will be intummed in this mud pit. That is sad enough to think about, but as I drive down the road I see a yearling Bison and wonder if that is his mother stuck in the mud.
Closer to the West entrance I see a huge group of cars in a large turnout, naturally you have to stop and ask what's up. There was a Grizzly Bear on the other side of the river. I guess you can bet that I was out of the truck in a flash......My Chance for a Bear image. The light wasn't great but myself and several others followed him as he lumbered along the riverbank. When he decided to swim across to our side we were all obedient and got back in our cars to drive a little further down to where we though he might be going. We didn't see him, but I ran into Claire again. We talked again about our day and exchanged cards and said goodbye. It was fun running into her each day, very interesting gal. I go home tomorrow, my grand-daughter Alexandrea is waiting for me to come home so she can stay overnight at my house. She is a very fun person to spend time with. I say goodbye to Yellowstone Park, what an awesome place. Have I mentioned????? I love this place.
Morning Glory Pool - Yellowstone National Park
Day 2 - Today I am up and out at 8am while everythnig is still quiet. My first stop was to walk along a boardwalk in that same place where the Bison were not thirsty yesterday.....maybe they are in the morning. The sun coming up through the evergreen trees and the little bit of snow left from winter are so beautiful, a fresh new day begins.
There is a squirrel screaming at me, waking every other creature here. I guess I was invading his space. As I came out to the river there was a huge heard of Bison, many mothers and babies. It is impossible for me to go to far at any time....or for that matter to go very fast, there is so much to see. Elk and Bison are swimming across the Madison River this morning, steam rising off of them as they come out on the opposite shoreline. And then there is the stop to capture a picture of the most brilliant blue bird I have ever seen.
Further down the road I start to come to the geyser areas. These geysers and paint pots are so impressive to see and hear. There is so much power and heat coming from the core of our earth. At Middle Geyser area, the steam that comes off of the pools reflects the many brilliant colors of these pools, The waster is crystal clear as it bubbles and the erupts in a spray, usually in the direction you are standing. The steam and water that comes from these pools feels warm on this cool and windy April morning.
I met up with Clair again at the Castle Geyser in the Old Faithful area. This Geyser (Castle Geyser) erupted for at least one hour.It is so awesome to see and hear the force of water spraying out of the ground....and it goes on and on and on. We walked on many of the trails in this area seeing some of the most amazing formations that the geysers create. And then there is the Morning Glory Pool.....so beautiful. It has taken me all day to go very FEW miles into the park.....so much to see, so much to photograph. This place is amazing and beautiful. Evening second day, I discovered I am starved, and heading back to West Yellowstone for dinner. I love this place.
First Day: I traveled for 8 hours today to West Yellowstone. I drove through a variety of weather, but finally ended up in sunny.....pretty warm West Yellowstone and was welcomed by the sound of a coyote howling as I got out of the truck in front of my lodging place at 4 pm.
I quickly got myself settled in, and headed for the park. There was quiet a bit of snow left in some areas on this April day. The wildlife is abundant as usual, basking in the afternoon sun.
On my first outing I observed and waited patiently for some Bison to take a drink from the Madison River, which would have offered a beautiful combination if light and reflections. They, of course, knew this, and only came close to the water without drinking until.....I left. I was told this a little later by a gal (Claire) whom I had passed on the trail.....she was more patient than I and stayed longer. We met again later and a little further down the road, and visited while watching some Elk basking in the early evening sun along the river.
As I headed back to West Yellowstone, I caught a glimpse of a beaver building a dam in the river near numerous other dams.
Stopping to see and hear the sights and sounds of this place I love, I saw the head of a Bald Eagle pop out of a nest that I had observed from a previous visit a year ago. Wondering and even pretty sure that the same parents probably inhabit the same nest each year. What an awesome place, so quiet, so peaceful. I love this park.
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