Christmas day in Yellowstone, is of course just like any other day for the animals that roam the park. Except today met new challenges with several inches of new snow and a few degrees colder. No matter what, the wildlife is going to do its best to survive every day.
Some lost the battle while others thrived.
Once again, the big wolf news of the day was the Lamar Canyons – America’s wolf pack. As they left the elk carcass in the valley and traveled towards the den area, the pack came upon a sick big horn ram and ended his life.
Rick said that all 8 were on the carcass, which by that time was very close to the road, when he arrived but that they all took to the hills as soon as people arrived. There was some discussion about removing the carcass but the ranger ultimately just decided to pull it a little ways up the hill because there was little left. And, in so doing, left us the gift of getting to watch some wildlife action.
Meanwhile, the elk carcass that was in the Lamar Canyon yesterday – most likely road kill finished off by coyotes – was discovered by wolves during the night and they managed to pretty much consume the entire cow in one setting. Though, there was quite a lot of coyote and bird action beforehand.
And, Richard had two unknown wolves run in front of him, crossing the road with tongues hanging out like they were being chased. There was some speculation that the collared grey was 870 but that seems doubtful as she was found later in Little America.
755 was in the neighborhood for the second day in a row. Except for yesterday was at Blacktail and today was Little America. Unseen both days but Rick had strong signals.
With all of the wonderful snow I got a chance to try out my skis while in Little America and while it was just some practice time for me, it was great snow and felt wonderful.
Oh, and Doug and I had a coyote walk right past us this morning, in Lamar Canyon, on its way to the carcass. I believe it is the same one that sat with some photographers while they watched a carcass in the canyon last winter.
After much exploring I headed back out to the Confluence to see what was going on with the ram carcass and there sat a beautiful Golden Eagle. That was one shot I could not pass up!
Despite being quite close and several photographers and visitors watching, the eagle stayed quite some time.
And, then, up on the hill and looking down was Little Grey! Our bold wonder of the Lamar Canyon clan.
He terrorized a ram that was up there with him and apparently hung out for quite some time.
If Little Grey keeps this up we might have at least one wolf to photograph this winter. His boldness is confounding, given that both of his parents go out of their way to avoid us. The only explanation is genetics and we all know that boldness has existed in the Lamar Canyon pack in his grandmother and aunts – even if he never knew them.
After some time the eagle flew right over us and landed on a nearby branch where he posed for some time before taking off.
And then along came the coyote, which, despite being very wary about what was on the hill above him, at for quite some time as well. The coyote could have cared less about us.
The coyote shared the carcass with several magpies, which was more than the eagle had been willing to do.
And then it was time for the coyote to go as there were three others behind us, out on the confluence.
Yesterday two otters were playing at Picnic and today there were otter slides at the confluence. Yippee! I have been hiking and looking for otters and actually got to see one flip a tail yesterday but it was long gone before I could get back to try and photograph them.
On the way home several people were watching something at Boulder, which turned out to be 870, all by herself and moving slowly. I caught just a glimpse of her so can’t say much about her condition, except that she was alone. One person told me that she had sat about 150 yards, on a hill, for quite some time and that when she moved off it was at a slow pace. I don’t know if that means she is hurting more, or injured again, and don’t know if she has lost her pack. I only know that she is breaking my heart. My heart is broken for all of them and the sheer joy that they knew only a short time ago.
At the moment Wolf World seems to have more questions than answers.
At least wildlife sightings and photography has picked up again but the winter feels far from certain.
Lord that is a beautiful eagle! And the coyote isn’t too shabby either!
My heart breaks for 870. I hope she recovers and finds her way back to her pack
Beautiful eagle and coyote shots.