Wild Memories Photography Tours

I had not seen a moose in Yellowstone for quite awhile, despite several sightings in the Elk Creek area of a cow and calf and of a pretty nice bull, and so seeing this gal wandering through Round Prairie this morning delighted me enough to get the camera out, despite the lack of light.

All was quiet in Lamar, particularly at the den area where I briefly looked for signs of pups, or adults and saw nothing moving about.  Doug M. said that he was going to dedicate his morning to finding pups – let’s hope that he did.  I was told that Spitfire was seen on 21’s crossing but am not sure if that was this morning or last night.

Little America was just as dead, since most of the bison wandered out to the west, leaving the beautiful lupine behind.  I so wanted to capture a herd of them wandering through – either that or a cow and red calf, but guess that was not in the cards.

I decided to head on over to Hayden, thinking that the grizzly activity would be done with and that maybe the wolves would be about.  Wrong about those grizzlies!  They were still quite active this morning and I heard reports of 7 to 10 different bears with a sow and three yearlings that were up on the hill but not at the carcass.

Several people were lined up when I arrived and so quickly pulled over to the side of the road and asked folks if they were seeing bears.  He pointed to the hill but I could not see anything but bright sunshine.  I set up the camera and looked through the lens to find a grizzly on the side of the hill and so quickly backed up and maneuvered around trying to get some shots.  Many shots with heads in them but some were pretty nice.

At times I could see the bear when it wandered into the sun or some subtle shadows.  The bear began to come close to the road and I was relieved to hear people getting nervous and talking about getting back.

Fortunately, the bear looked at the crowd and decided to return to the carcass.

I watched this bear and another on the carcass for a little while, what little I could see of them and then decided to go see the wolves.

Except that there was another grizzly way out and heading in our direction.  I began to leave and then said, no, I am going to shoot this bear (photograph that is) and so set up and waited.  The bear began to go by us but then decided to turn and make a run for the road, which excited quite a number of people who were standing up there.  No amount of yelling by the ranger could get them to move.

The bear went across the road and then wandered across the hill.

Apparently there continued to be bear action that could be seen from the hill across from us but that was interrupted when a bison bull decided to pay everyone a visit.  The ranger said that people didn’t want to move when the big guy came calling.  I watched the whole thing and the bull just kept walking in their direction.

The Canyon pack was being seen from Grizzly Overlook and everyone thought there was only 4 of them but when two hikers wandered their way, five got up and ran into the forest. Evidently mama and papa are not ready to let their little girl go to a scoundrel like 755.  But, who knows what the end of the story will be.  I am conflicted – the Canyon alphas need the help of the daughter, seeing as how they are up there in years, but 755 needs to be with another.  I hope for the best in the situation.

The wind is raging today and I am going to head in early.  Maybe do a little camping.  Like a fire or roast a marshmallow.  Doubt it.  Other plans for tomorrow – will let you know later.