YELLOWSTONE'S WILD WORLD

Last night we had a beautiful sunset in Lamar that set the Lamar River on fire.

This morning I was up at 3 and out the door shortly after, after taking a bad fall and injuring my good leg, headed to the bison carcass that was still intact.  Seven days and no takers – makes one wonder what the deal is with that bison and why it died.

Not one to watch dead animals on a gorgeous day, I headed through Mammoth and up to Swan Lake Flats where I caught the morning golden hour on Golden Gate.

Along the way, heading south I just simply enjoyed the fog, the thermal forests, the light dancing in the air and the wildlife.

I went as far south as Elk Meadow, where there were two bull elk in the meadow and a big bull across the road that seemed a tad testy.

I continued over to Canyon and discovered that a gray had come from the power line, crossed the road and gone east and out of sight about the second I pulled up.  So, this bull bison, silhouetted along the Yellowstone River had to do.

I did stop at LeHardy Rapids to see the fish but the river was raging and I couldn’t find any spawners.

As I drove along the lake I was taken by the quiet beauty – not many people, a lot of birds and just an easy calm quiet interspersed with many wildflowers.  I particularly liked the display in Mary Bay with the contrast of colors.

Along Sedge Bay was another bison bull.  There are not many bison in Hayden Valley and so every bison is a spectacle to the visitors.

Up at Lakeview Overlook I switched to flowers and insects.  Lady bugs have always been a favorite and they looked so sweet on the yellow petals.

My intention for the day, other than the fish at LeHardy, was to hike in Pelican Valley but I was suddenly sleepy and stopped to take a nap before the trail head and again at the trail head.  By that time it was the middle of the day and not a great time for hiking in hot sun.

And so I headed back towards the north, following a slow tour bus the entire way so it was a leisurely drive.  On my way back towards Blacktail, to check on the carcass, there were a couple of bear jams but it was very quiet for the most part.

Nothing on the carcass, no wolves being seen on Blacktail and a black bear in the wild flowers at Floating Island.  I am heading to the campground.

Have a good night.