This orphaned bison calf, hanging in Lamar Valley, continues to be a tear jerker. I just want to scoop it into my arms….but don’t dare.
Luckily, in Lamar, we have some bluebirds bringing us tissues for our tears. This female was planning to nest in a sparrow’s nest above the bathroom and she wanted a little extra decor in her new abode.
Meanwhile, the American Robin sits on its orange rock and supervises the activities of the bluebirds and the bison in the area.
At Slough Creek this morning the carcass looked like it had been worked on good during the night. Nothing was on the carcass but down the way was a small grizzly and a wolf. I saw the bear chase the wolf, just briefly. And, saw both go over the hill. On the other side of the hill I was able to pick up the wolf, which turned out to be the Junction Butte yearling, but never saw the bear again.
Meanwhile, a trip to Lamar netted me the Lamar Canyons! All four, including the yearling that just recently returned to her mom. It was a good day.
Found the Lamars!
Success at last, on day 3 of holding vigil at the Lamar Canyon den area, my patience paid off and I found 926 just after she had crossed the road and was heading to the den with a very full belly!
(This photo is of the yearling)
I spotted something small and black running through thick sage and was in full panic as I got my scope out and tried to find her in that sea of green. Glimpses and she would disappear. But, finally, I saw the collar and then the very large belly. If I had not known better, I would have thought she was pregnant again.
MacNeil stopped right after I was able to get an ID and we caught glimpses of her as she headed to the den. Very cool to find her route. I then told MacNeil to be on the lookout for the others to cross as it was obvious that they had a carcass somewhere. I am thinking that they were coming back from Cache, on the other side of Norris because Rick did not get signals this morning.
I went down the road to turn around so that I could get out on the radio to Rick and Laurie, and spotted the black yearling right after it had crossed the road. Rarely does one get to be the absolute first to spot a wolf one time, with so many people around, but now I was at two spots and both of them very important. 926 was okay and the yearling still with her.
Now, to find the boys. Then MacNeil found what turned out to be Twin on the other side of the road. He lost him but some folks eventually found him bedded just across the way from us and watching the crowds gather. He wanted a large audience before making his move.
And then I was looking in the direction that 926 had disappeared in when I found Mottled! Three finds in one day – it feels amazing, but then I had worked pretty hard to learn what was going on with that family. Rick told me the other day that he had been complimenting me to some folks and that he told them that I was one of the best spotters, and was very good with behaviors. I was thinking he was just being kind but maybe I do do okay. I know that I love finding the animals without telemetry and just using good old reading the landscape skills. Or, luck – which definitely has to be present to be in the right place at the right time.
Twin eventually got up and crossed the road with no problems and we had our family all together, happy and fed.
Really good to see that the yearling is back, staying and that there are no issues with the guys. They all looked mighty relaxed and content. And, what a relief to have a yearling to help with the pups!
I do believe that this yearling was the same that was seen on the bison carcass, which would mean that it is a female – a very large female.
Happy news and days!
Apparently, Rosie and cubs crossed the bridge again and later on they were out with Angry Mom and kids. I heard that Angry mom gave some photogs a great show for a long time. But, later Rosie must have entered the scene. For some reason one of the bears was cracker shelled. Way too early for the rangers to start that kind of activity. Hope that kind of thing is minimal this year.
See you soon – I have friends coming to town.
Here is Judy’s report – she had a great day. My friends arrived and we tried and tried to find 926, in the pouring rain, tonight but no luck.
From Judy:
Today was bear day! I heard from friends that saw between 14 and 18 black bears, counting cubs, from Mammoth to Tower and out into Little America today. I braved the road construction and had a 5 grizzly day. Hayden Valley Girl was way out in Hayden Valley. No pictures but nice watching her. There was a collared grizzly sleeping up the hill in the grass near Mud Volcano. When he woke up he spent a bunch of time scratching almost every square inch of his body and then ate grass and dandelions for a while. Later in the day I was near Nine Mile Trailhead when I got a text to get to Steamboat Point. When I got there Circus Bear was rounding the point going west. He then decided it was time for a swim and swam from just past the point to well into Mary Bay. He then got out, shook and walked across the road and into the grass. We watched him walk along the base of the hill and then he crossed over a hill and disappeared. On the way home in the road construction the Beryl Springs bear and her yearling were just south of Twin Lakes walking to the south. Too much rain for any photos of them. I will try to get some photos up tomorrow.
Feeling sad for little red dog. Still has the umbilical cord attached. That is just sad. Do Bison adopt orphans? I have not ever heard if they do or not. Any ideas?
Great news about the Lamars and thankful that the yearling seems to be accepted in with the babies and her Mama and the gentlemen. I hope the rest decide it would be better to be home, helping Mama with the rearing of the babes.
Thanks for the story and pictures ladies! Great work. Stay warm and dry if possible.
I came across a baby bison last year that had been left behind in Lamar Valley. It was crying so I “mooed” back and he came to me within an arms length! He was gone when I checked on him later. I still wonder what became of him.
I feel so sorry for the little bison, it is very beautiful. So sad. I don’t know how you keep up with all the harsh things wild nature is about, but I certainly admire your dedication.
Great news about the Lamars, I hope-hope-hope (fingers crossed) to see one of them in summer.
Ilse
Deby and Judy thanks again for the great stories and braving the elements out there. Love to hear what is going on.
Makes me happy to hear the good news of the Lamar’s:)
Poor little red dog. Xx I would want to scoop it up too,
Nice stories and photos, thank you!