YELLOWSTONE'S WILD WORLD

Washburn finally opened and we now have access to the “other side” of the park without going through the horrid construction that has managed to tear up cars, tires and trailers.  People have gone through towing trailers and cars, only to lose them on that road.

And, so, yes, I drove over the mountain, delighting in the pile of snow and the freedom to move about.  Only, nothing much was there to greet me.  Very few people really, and fewer animals.  I saw one large grizzly on the east side of the Yellowstone River, grazing contentedly while people watched.  No grizzlies close-up and no wolves, despite the many sightings of 755 in recent days.  Can not wait to see that boy, his lady and his pups.

Earlier in the day I spent a great deal of time at the Lamar den site, hoping for a view and getting only a glimpse of one.  And, I was back that evening until late with no views.  I heard later that Twin and a yearling crossed at 21’s and continued south.

But, in between, during what turned out to be a long day, there was Picnic Sow with her two cinnamon cubs.  They chose to cross the road shortly after I pulled up, choosing a spot right near me.  And they went down to the water for a drink but did not swim, darn it.

And, later in the day I was watching a flicker nest and was surprised to see kestrels land on the tree.  Nice surprise and gift.  And so it must have been a kestrel day because I photographed 4 of them, in different locations – most likely two nesting pairs.

And, boy did it feel good to take photos again!  Though, they were not as good as I had hoped.  In the evening, having given up on the Lamar Canyons, I photographed more bison because one can never have too many little red dogs.

In between times and days have been the gorgeous grizzly sow and three cubs of the year at Slough Creek.  What a thrill to watch this little family – I hope they do well.

Today, I overslept, once again.  There is a price for the long days and it seems that price is always paid on the days when there is some great action and viewing.  Because, the Lamar Canyons, now numbering 6 – it is funny that way, these wolves disappear to the den for a few days and pop out with more pack members.  This morning 965 from the Prospects had returned and the best news is that the other daughter of 926 was also back.   I think she had been back for several days but this was the first time both daughters were seen at the same time.

Apparently, they crossed the road but no one is even sure about that, possibly south to north, and 926 and Twin decided to bed in the road.  A crowd gathered as the others stay nearby, on a hill.  Except for Mottled of course, who went way on up the hill and away from those people things.  Laurie said that the Lamar show went on so long that Rick had to go shoo the wolves off of the road.  They only do these things when I am not around and we know how often I am here, so it would seem impossible for me to miss out.  But, I do.

The wolves were out of sight when I arrived and folks only got brief glimpses of them from time to time.  And then Little Grey was spotted on the same side of the road, heading in the direction of the others.  They had found him to the south this morning and, apparently, he had snuck across the road and was trying to track everyone else down.  He looked great – wet so difficult to recognize – but it was him.  I saw no limp when Little Grey was walking but when he ran he had to move his left hind leg with the other one and I could see a slight unsteadiness. Looked like a hip injury to me, one that has stabilized.

And, so, one by one, the yearlings return.  If they stay remains to be seen.  But, if they are accepted into the pack then they have somewhere to go and that is huge.

Laurie told me this morning that a black yearling was found dead a while back and there was speculation that it was the Junction Butte bitten yearling that I was so fond of after it was attacked by 926 two times.  She said it had probably been dead a couple of months and so that fits.  And, she is wondering if the single grey female we keep seeing in the Slough area is the grey yearling that went missing after the one was killed way back when – during the Prospect and Mollie invasion.  It very well might be because it really looks like the other yearling but that one won’t leave her daddy for very long.  This one has been seen frequently.

I did see the Picnic fox this afternoon, out hunting with purpose.  They are pretty clever about getting through culverts to cross the road.  But, it has been a bust of a day in the photography department.  Really, at this time, I need to keep my focus on the Lamar Canyons – the ever changing Lamar Canyons.
And, to that end, I am sitting across from the den area, waiting and hoping.  But, with so many escape routes and only myself and a couple of hundred visitors, I would not know if they went out the other side.  They have a huge family now – time to hunt!

No Lamar Canyon sightings for me tonight either, even after being at the den area for 6 hours!  Darn.  Did have a cute little black bear walking in the road on the Blacktail, in near dark.

Also, I took a walk in the forest yesterday and found this cutie.

Deby