I went to Madison first thing this morning and was going to go visit Pete in Hayden until Josh called to say that there were mystery wolves in Little America. So, turned around and went north.
No wolves down in Madison this morning but there were elk.
Saw black bears near Floating Island and Pete says there was a large one near Mammoth. The pronghorn rut was going wild and strong in Little America. Saw a red dog on my way south and actually did the oooh ahhh thing, despite how many I have seen. It just came out – was good to see a baby.
Touchdown was still in Mammoth and I hear he is getting wild with the cars. One ranger got an antler through his window and Josh was charged tonight. Good boy Touchdown!
From Peter Gentes down in Hayden
At saddle north of grizzly overlook/point in Hayden valley to spot on the wapiti lake pack. Early morning 28 F / -2 C with heavy fog. But, on the bright side, all the foliage is covered in spiky frost. Good morning to look for frost covered bison. Morning: – early morning kestrel perched in pines. – 8:51 – 9:05am three pups visible left of Christmas tree sand pit. Fighting the fog for visibility. They’re playing and romping finally lost them in blowing fog. – 9:23 – 9:34am grizzly in alum creek west of road 1.5 miles out. Lost when fog blew in. – 10:10-10:50am big gray pup visible from Christmas pit moving left at tree line to left side of three stooges pit. 2 Black pups facing straight at us from Christmas tree sand pit. All three laid down in sage at 10:26am, then black moved and laid behind Christmas tree. Lot of up and down and milling around. – 10:56am female alpha moved left to right behind Christmas tree. – 10:59am kestrel flew in on close trees to pose against sky line. Birders happy, mountain blue birds cautious. Afternoon: – 5:30 – 5:52pm big gray pup spotted in and out of Christmas tree and three stooges sand pits – 6:17pm gray pup spotted briefly at christmas tree sand pit – 6:26pm second gray pup moved across base of Christmas tree sand pit from right to left and bedded down in drop sage. 6:30pm gray pup is now up and down. 6:47pm – 7:15pm gray pup is out in open sitting in evening sun – 7:20 – 7:31pm 2 gray pups and very possible “the uncle” (much larger black wolf). He appeared to have a large “leg” in his mouth. Started at Christmas tree with a both grays greeting the black, then they moved across to three stooges then into the trees and gone. – panda bear grizzly was visible across the road in alum creek meadows for most of the last 2 hours before sunset. Also reported – Lost and Found: – black tasco lens cap. Turned into Rangers. Good sighting everyone, Pete
Pete added that the black male yearling came in with a leg this evening and one of the alphas was seen hunting near Alum.
Prospect were in Little America – 5 of them – but before they were seen Dusty spotted around 15 to 17 wolves. There was some speculation that the others might have been Mollies – All but one grey pup seen of the Lamars today.
I did see 4 of the Prospects, way off. Apparently they killed a bison calf but couldn’t get close to it because 3 adults were protecting it.
Thanks Peter and Josh for the updates today.
Is it normal to have red dogs this late in the season? Is it different than cattle breeding and raising? I wonder because of the harsh winters and survival. Thank you for great report!