A couple of days ago I found myself standing along the Yellowstone River with about 150 other people, photographing a grizzly across the river with his elk calf meal. Don’t get me wrong, I love a grizzly and he was not that far away, but my big lens is broken and so I’m shooting short. But, more than that, it dawned on me that there had to be something else to Yellowstone besides standing amongst 150 others getting the same, or close to, shot as myself.
Actually, before this I had been going out and looking for more unusual subjects to photograph in quiet settings. Not that I am not going to get the shots of the bears and wouldn’t photograph the wolves if opportunity came knocking, but that I want to shoot all of Yellowstone. And, so that is what I have been doing – going off on quiet adventures, hiking or driving, and looking for something more.
Well, today was blue skies all of the way and hot and dry. A slight breeze but the air felt dusty and dirty, so I didn’t plan on a full day out but that is what I did.
First thing this morning there was a pair of sandhill cranes on a slight rise on Swan Lake Flat and I loved how they looked in the landscape.
Was hoping that the Sandhills would have some colts but did not see any.
And then I went to spent some time with the marmots at Sheepeater Cliffs. The light was perfect and they cooperated beautifully. Mama is near the end of her nursing and the babies are now venturing out onto the grass for food. They are growing up too quickly!
Mama Marmot
Mama Marmot in the grass
Baby Marmots
Mama and two babies
Baby Marmot in the grass
Baby Marmot
Mama Marmot
I then went down to Hayden, with 755 on my mind. That and the sow with three COY that I have not seen yet. Did not see either, unfortunately, but did learn that the Wapitis have 4 puppies – two gray and two black. That was great news.
The black bears were out at Calcite but I did not stop.
The Junction Buttes were winding down their morning play time and so I kept going.
LA Sow and her two coy are now on top of Specimen.
Six Mollies were in Lamar Valley, south of the ranch, and just milling about. Five blacks and one gray. One of the blacks looked small and young but maybe just because of shedding. They Mollies are scratching a lot now and could be infected with mange. That would be sad to see.
Another black was to the north of the ranch, possibly another Mollie but can’t be sure.
Rick had faint signals on the Lamars this evening after not getting them for a couple of days. I tend to think that they have moved their pups into a big bowl where he can’t get their collar signals.
COYOTES MOVED: The coyote den at the exclosure in Lamar was entertaining for a few minutes. Mama coyote came in, fed the pups and then tried to lead them off. But, the pups would not follow. So, she grabbed one, carrying it in a rather rude way because they are so large, and took it under the fence and to a new den. Mama then repeated the same with the remaining two pups and now they are safely inside a fence, with shade trees and a new den. Mama went back for an old den inspection and then feeling pretty good about everything, she took off hunting. We will no longer be able to see the coyotes in their new den. They were pretty far away in the old den so not great photography but oh so cute.
A little while later I was out watching some birds when a badger popped out of its den and posed for me. I was pretty excited to finally find a badger and so close. Though, I quickly backed up to give it some room, after taking a few shots.
And then I went for a little walk at Slough Creek and found the Sandhill crane family. They were pretty far off but I just think that there is nothing cuter than a baby Sandhill, called a colt.
After watching some bison nearly get swept down the Lamar River while trying to cross, I went down and took another look at the Mollies before heading home. Several people thought, for some reason, that I would know something and swooped in on me in about 2 seconds. Before long I found myself with an audience of people who wanted to hear about the wolves. Been a long time since I set my scope up and talked about the wolf packs with visitors and it felt good.
On the way home I checked Calcite and the bears had just gone over the hill. There was a bear jam at the gut road on Dunraven but I am not sure which bear or bears. The Petrified sow and yearling were west of the ranger station. And, the rest of the drive home was pretty quiet.
Pretty exciting and eventful day in Yellowstone.
❤️ the baby marmots!