YELLOWSTONE'S WILD WORLD

Today was a short but full one in the park, going in early and then heading out and to Bozeman for supplies at around noon.  But, managed to find some fun stuff.

Most everyone was watching the Junctions and they had two black puppies out on “the porch,” adding excitement to the day.  They are a long ways away and a scope is necessary to see them.  But, still, two week old puppies, that is wonderful.  Still nothing on 970, as of this morning.  They might have gone out looking for her this afternoon.

One black Mollies wolf was seen in Lamar, harassing bison while heading east.

The big news of the day was that 965 was back and he was seen with Dark Black.  After 926 lost her mate, 925, she was joined by four males – Twin, Mottled, 965 and Dark Black.  Mottled is most likely deceased, killed by Junctions, and it appears that Twin could be missing also – we are waiting to see.  If that was the case then they were down to just 3, the two females and Dark Black.  Somehow, 965 knew it was okay to come home and so he did.  I think that he will stay but his mange sure looks bad.  Not as bad, but not good.  926 gave birth on May first (MAY DAY puppies!) and was already out hunting bison last night.  She looks to be nursing and T could have been caring for the pups.  This worries me though that Dark Black has not been feeding them.

There was a bison cow in Lamar Valley that was trying to give birth but the calf was dead and stuck.  With no help for her she will most likely pass on also.  There was a huge crowd out there watching the suffering cow.  At times her herd came to try and help but she moved away from them.  Very sad to watch.

The Beryl Springs sow, with her three cubs, has moved out of the Beryl Springs area and was hanging out in Gibbon Meadows, way far out.  Sounds like they are currently safe and sound.

I did find a badger, finally, in Lamar Valley!  And the badger’s den.  Pretty excited about this but am not sure that we will have access to it – will let you know as I see how things go.

And, the kestrels of Little America are back again this year, looking at a different nesting site – we hope!  More visible than the last one.  While watching them the male brought a mouse in and the female took off with it.

And one calf turned to stare at me, showing some teeth.

The morning began wit numerous elk coming out of the Lamar River corridor and trying to get across the road to the south.

So, for a short day it was filled with a lot of excitement.  The grizzly sow and three COY were up high near Crystal and have been there nearly every day.  Just as the Mollies, some of them, have been in Lamar.  So, pretty good chance of seeing bears and wolves if you go to Little America and Slough Creek.

The east entrance opens tomorrow and we can go to Hayden Valley and Fishing Bridge.  More territory to explore.

Until tomorrow.

There are a gazillion bison babies running around and I saw a few in Little America, near the road.  I wanted a shot of a calf with the aspen behind it.  They weren’t very cooperative, but I tried.