Not sure what it is about holidays in Yellowstone, or why the wildlife likes to come out and play when there are more people but, three years running now, the wolf activity has been stellar over the Christmas holidays. Maybe they really do want an audience.
But, now that folks have gone home, so have the wolves, the moose, the otters…Just as I was looking forward to less traffic and more room to park, not there is no reason to park. Or very little. Although, I do enjoy photographing the bison in snowy conditions.
I took a quick trip into the park late this afternoon, really just needing to clear my head after some yucky stuff, and found one of the Bathroom Boys, at the Blacktail bathroom! Just in case you thought that I was making up those stories about the 3 beautiful bathroom boys that hang out on the Blacktail. Although, we just had one today.
And, when he left he decided to walk right past my car, so close I might have been able to touch him. I actually think he thought he was being funny when I ducked my whole body inside.
It was just a drive, after a snow filled morning that was being followed by warming temperatures and melting snow. What a mess that will be. And, people were still running off of the road. I feel so bad for all of the people who have gone off into deep snow and had to wait for a tow truck that would charge them about half of a month’s salary for me. Yikes, it is scary.
But, I was happy to see the big horns out at the Confluence. Been waiting for them to come see us and the other day I counted about 20 rams, ewes and lambs.
And, this bison has been in this exact spot, eating away, for the past two days.
He doesn’t bother to put his head up to say hi but just keeps right on eating. He does look much better than some of the other guys.
And, all I know about the wolves in Yellowstone is that there was a fresh elk carcass – a bull I have seen before – and that the wolves hadn’t begun eating yet. Probably scared off by people and were waiting for dark before they began their feast.
Also, a watcher was still staring at the mountain side, presumably at the Canyons, which I can not find.
On the way home I stopped at Slough to check my phone and looked up to find this coyote close by. It was already pretty dark – as most of the day had been under clouds, but decided to snap a shot anyway.
The rest of the drive home was uneventful and dark.
So, until tomorrow, that is what I know about activity in Yellowstone.
