YELLOWSTONE'S WILD WORLD

Yesterday afternoon, after I left you for the land of no service, during a rainstorm, I wandered back into Lamar Valley and was excited to see that Scarface was at the bison carcass and he was surrounded by three wolves.

Yep, that put my wolf total for yesterday at nine, with, I think, 4 grizzlies and untold numbers of back bears.

This morning, after a night of constant rain, I got a late start.  One thing that should be noted here is that sun is required for solar panels.  We have had much rain, little sun, mostly clouds, cool to cold and are now expecting snow for tomorrow.  Never, ever come to Yellowstone without layers, not matter the time of year.

At the carcass was Scarface and three wolves.  The JB black female, 911 or Mr. Disaster and a JB (Junction Butte) yearling.  All lying close by and not so patiently waiting their turn.  I did see Mr. Disaster challenge Scarface but with no luck.

(A man just walked up to my car to tell me about a couple of grizzlies and while talking to him I saw a boar out of the corner of my eye and so we went to see if he would come out anywhere but he is hunting fawns. 🙁  Back to my story)

Apparently Scarface eventually left, the three wolves got to eat, 889 had her turn and 2 or 3 other grizzlies came in to feed.  Rick had a signal for 755 but we could not locate him – probably hiding from 889.  Personally, I hope the girl stays away from that shallow guy!  LOL  I did get to see 889 later, after she had fed and crossed the road three times, most likely because the coyotes were chasing her away from their den area.  Rick said that she went on across and did not linger so that is great news.  I hope she continues to hurry across and on her way.

I went into Little America and found Bill at a scope and looking up on Specimen so stopped in hopes that he had my girl.  When I approached Bill he looked up and smiled excitedly as he stepped away from the scope to let me look.

“Is it her?” I asked.

Bill nodded excitedly.

There she was with a beautiful, healthy looking cub that Bill calls “he,” in the middle of a high grassy meadow.  What a gorgeous sight they were.  At the moment, I am hoping that they might come down off of the mountain but don’t really care, as long as she stays safe.

At Floating Island the eggs are still not hatched.  Daddy crane flew in and was immediately bombarded by the male blackbird.  Wish that my shots had turned out but it was all too quick.

The pups were seen again but I didn’t make it out that far.  I was told that 821 showed up but no sign of 763.  Some of the other 8 Miles have joined them and so no one knows who all is there or how many packs we have of scattered 8 Miles.  They were 18 at one time last year but we know that at least 3 are no longer around.

Nothing on Rosie but a black bear took down a fawn – mule deer – in front of Roosevelt and drew quite a crowd.  And a young cinnamon had traffic stopped for miles along Antelope Creek.

I spent a long time at Judy’s flicker nest after trying to follow her clues and find it myself.  But, in the end, it was that raven that showed me where the nest was.  Can’t tell you how much fun it was to watch mom come in and feed the chicks – I counted 4 of them.  Never did see dad.

And, I was sitting and watching a Coot re-organize and tidy her nest when the man came up to talk to me.  Also very amazing to watch the daddy coot bringing in some wet grass to help her out.  I feel quite blessed to be getting to see so much bird behavior this year.

Well, kind of out of touch with the happenings in the rest of the park but will be venturing around soon, as things calm down around here.  Beartooth Pass is closed for now – believe they got some snow last night.  And, I bought batteries for my lantern so I don’t have to use the trailer battery.  It was cold in there last time I went by but I have plenty of quilts to keep me warm.

Until tomorrow.