YELLOWSTONE'S WILD WORLD

We had a hard frost last night in Gardiner and when I got to the Blacktail Ponds it was only 23 degrees.  Come back Fall!  Strange though because even though it was much colder today it felt a whole lot warmer with no wind and some sunshine.

I made it out to Slough Creek and found out that the signals in Lamar were about the same as yesterday – faint – and so turned around and headed over the mountain.  If I had made the effort to see the Junction Buttes I would have had my first 3 dog day in months because the coyotes were out in force, particularly up and down Hayden Valley.  And, I finally saw a fox this evening, near Tower.

The pair of coyotes, above were mousing in a field near LeHardy rapids.  Some beautiful song dogs.

But, before the coyotes I made my way down to the lake and out to Lake Butte Overlook where I ran into some fans who had just arrived in the park!  Talk about timing!  But, I had just taken a long nap down below the butte and was still trying to wake up.  That virus that I had over the summer, the one that affects the lungs, is still kicking my butt and so I need to move slow and rest as much as possible.

Almost went to the pikas but decided to head back the other way.  Had already looked for the great gray owl at Bridge Bay and the otters but no luck.  Earlier, in Hayden, I missed a great gray by minutes, near the falls, and a large grizzly crossing the road near Grizzly Overlook.  Someone said that they thought he was 600 pounds!  So, I was running about 2 minutes behind the wildlife schedule.

Heading back to the north is when I found the coyotes and so I watched them awhile.  But north was calling me and I soon found out why.  Mini Mom and Mini Cub were near the road.  I so lucked out in getting a parking space and getting a good view of the pair!

For me this was a phenomenal wildlife sighting in Yellowstone because the rangers allowed us to be 100 yards from the animals and watch them for several hours.  Hundreds of visitors got to see these bears and they were thrilled beyond words.

I have never really gotten to watch sows and cubs very much, not at close distance, because there are usually too many people surrounding them and so I just leave.  But this time the viewing area was large enough for everyone, with plenty of parking and so I got to watch and take photos.  These two bears are very special to me for a couple of reasons.  I got to photograph them one time when Mini Mom came out with 3 cubs a year and a half ago and they were my first COY.  And then, earlier this year, when I was with a young friend, these two bears crossed the road right in front of us and my friend was thrilled.  Anyway, I have been drying to spend time with the pair and finally got my wish.  I don’t get many of my wishes out here but when they come it is much appreciated.  And when the rangers allow us to enjoy some wildlife watching it is such a pleasure.  No stress, just enjoyment.

Thank you Yellowstone for another awesome day!