Before we get to tonight’s story, let me tell you about a few things that are happening around Yellowstone and the Tetons.
According to Vicky, 755 and his Lady Love were on a carcass in Hayden for much of the day. In an earlier note Vicky told me that even though they were a long distance away she was reluctant to leave 755 for fear she would never see him again. Several hours later I asked her if she stuck with him all day and this was her reply:
“Yup. Until he and the grey wandered off into the trees. He is so beautiful. And to watch them nuzzle each other with tails wagging brings me joy.
Then went and shot pikas at hell roaring.”
So, the wolves went into the trees, apparently acting like young lovers, and there are pikas at Hell Roaring. Why did I drive all of the way to the Beartooth yesterday then? More on that later.
In the elk news, Touchdown took over another bull’s ladies – he is a 6 x 6 and the guy he beat off is a 7 x 6. The man has attitude! He had over 30 ladies last night but it was tough to tell what he had tonight because they had taken up residence on the interior lawn of the Mammoth residential complex.
And bull, a 6 x 7, was still around Mammoth but only had one lady tonight and was having a hard time keeping her in line. He is a beauty!
Other than Touchdown and the 6 x 7 I did not see any other bulls but did hear some bugling. It was 81 degrees late this afternoon and I am thinking that the elk were in the trees trying to stay cool.
The dirt road from Mammoth to Gardiner is open once again! Did not see anything there but is was a nice drive.
As far as I know, Blacktail Plateau Drive is still closed due to the rains and dangerous driving conditions. The road has to be graded before it can re-open.
Did anyone get down to the carcass at Elk Meadow? Sounds like some good action down that way with a grizzly and cubs.
In the Tetons I heard from a couple of people that there are otters, 4 families of them, at Cattleman’s. Beavers at Schwabachers and Moose-Wilson Road is finally open. Also heard that the fall colors are peaked to past peak. Some trees with bare branches while some are still green.
There will be some adjustments to the photographing of the moose rut in Grand Teton National Park but I am not sure what that will entail except that photographers won’t be allowed into Gros Ventre until 8 a.m. That is not a bad deal anyway, considering that people have to sleep. Keep your distance – I hear that folks will be watching closely.
Oh, and I heard that a sow and two cubs were seen at 10 this morning.
That is all for the sightings – should give you plenty of options for tomorrow.
Yesterday I decided to ignore all of the carcass reports and hopes of seeing bears, wolves and coyotes and head to fresh, clean air and little noise on the Beartooth. Some times it is just good to get away! Went up there and the wind was blowing some but not bad. There were virtually no birds or chipmunks at the rest spot on the Montana side, leaving me to wonder where they all were.
Of course, this is two summers now that I have driven to the Beartooth multiple times in hopes of seeing mountain goats and failing. So super bummed about that!
But, I did find Pikas and Marmots. Kind of strange because the last time I was there the marmots were not around at all but yesterday they were quite active and very cute.
And, still did not see much stashing action by the Pikas so am assuming that they have their hay stacks ready for winter. Did see a little eating and running around. Saw two pikas and one dove into a hole when the other appeared. Not sure what that was about but then pikas are a real mystery to me – they are difficult to watch and to develop a relationship with because they are so busy most of the time. And, it is hard to tell if you are seeing the same one or different pikas.
I was a little sleepy and tried to take a nap in the cool air but it did not work, although I did not make it all of the way through the park and to Gardiner without having a long sleep somewhere. Funny that I can not remember where.
Always a good day for one last drive to the Beartooth before it closes. Kind of tough to see the season ending so soon.
I kind of got the feeling that the Pika was saying a prayer that I would soon leave.
This marmot appeared to be the adult while the other two were smaller with lighter coats.
I don’t care if it is an old photo of 755 or not. I love to see him and his sweetie. Thanks Deby!
Touchdown almost got a pickup truck this evening. I didn’t know a pickup could accelerate so fast, but with Touchdown right on his back bumper I guess he had an incentive.