YELLOWSTONE'S WILD WORLD

While there truly are a lot of grizzlies and black bears being seen on the Northern Range, most of the grizzlies are a long ways off and not photographable.  And, the black bears are up Tower Road, which only works if your back is feeling good enough to carry camera equipment.  But, leave the northern range and go south and you “bearly” see any bears.

Today, in Lamar, there was a courting pair of grizzlies on Amethyst Bench and another grizzly by Soda Butte Cone.  I looked for the sow with three coy on Specimen but did not see her.

Wolf wise, the Mollies, 7 of them, had a carcass south of the Confluence and they were bedded, resting their full bellies.

We got a call that Twin had been seen and so rushed to Lamar to see if it were true.  I finally tracked down the YA bus that had seen the wolf and got a look at one of their cell phone shots and it was 965 in his new, ugly collar.  They said he looked rough.

Only a couple of the Junction adults were at the den area today and there always seems to be a grizzly hanging around the area.

The grizzly was still on his second carcass at Blacktail Lakes today but hard to see because of a hill.

Didn’t stay long on the Blacktail as the shooting wasn’t that good, due to distance, visibility and the bear lying down for a nap.  Was very nice to see Judy and Verne though!

The bison carcass was all but finished, thanks to night feedings by the Mollies, and so I decided to venture south to see what could be found there.

Well, about 12 bison between Canyon and Lake Butte Overlook, was the extent of my wildlife sightings.  There were otters near Otter Creek but I only saw their wave as they passed by.  Three otters were seen.

So, I took a hike to Clear Lake, from the Wapiti trailhead.  There were several people on the trail today and so it felt safe enough.  The group of 4, ahead of me, were making lots of noise so I felt pretty safe.  It was beautiful at Clear lake – so glad that I made the journey.

And, then, instead of turning right at Norris, I went left to check on bears in that direction.  Not a single one to be found, all of the way to Midway Geyser basin.  Saw two coyotes and at least 25 bison, so wildlife viewing was up.  Had hoped to see the Canyons but no go.  There was a family herd of bison with several new calves and about 50 people standing 10′ from them.  I should have filmed it but instead drove several miles to get a cell signal and call law enforcement.  The law had already arrived when I returned and they were busting up the hideous party.  I overheard one lady asking if she could just take on more shot and saw another walk within 5′ of a cow to get into her van.  The wildlife in Yellowstone is much better behaved than the visitors.

Finally, just north of Roaring Mountain there was a bear jam and a beautiful cinnamon black bear on the hill.  I was able to park just below the hill and shoot from the sunroof but a lot of people were way too close to the bear.  Someone sneaking past my car finally spooked the red beauty and it took off for the forest.  We did get to watch for a long time though and it was some of the best black bear shots I have been able to get in Yellowstone.

That was it for the day – a lot of miles of driving, a nice hike, and a few good sightings.  Plus, getting to say hi to friends.  Yellowstone is beginning to fill up.  The grocery store is open at Fishing Bridge and the Canyon and FB gas stations are open.  The FB visitor center is not open.  The south gate opens on Friday!

There will be no report tomorrow as I will be going to Bozeman to speak at the Montana Fish and Wildlife meeting about tripling the wolf quota near Gardiner.