Wild Memories Photography Tours

A friend posted that she had come to the Tetons and seen 399 today and so I threw things in the car and drove three hours, only to discover that it was 610 that she had seen.  But, oh did it feel good to be in Grand Teton National Park, sitting at a bear jam and waiting for the bears to come out.  That was how it all began for me, right here, five years ago when 399 had 3 coy and 610 had 2.  I saw those bears and was hooked, hopelessly, on photographing wildlife in the national parks.  Back then we had such a good time – everyone was friendly and happy to share where the bears could be found.  We waited, laughed, smiled and shot like hell when the bears came out.  Those were some good times!

A couple of us went hiking down Pilgrim Road, which remans closed due to bear activity, and stretched our legs.  Didn’t see a thing, except for buttercups getting ready to bloom, but it was a great day for a walk in the park.

610 and her cubs did not come out where some predicted and so we missed her crossing the road and going way, way out, where we could catch glimpses of the three bears but not much else.  I did stay until fairly late, to see which way she was headed, in hopes that we can find her in the morning.  I believe that we will!

Before getting those last looks at 610, I was desperate to try shooting something with the D500 I am renting and so found some cow elk that were posing nicely.

The elk were actually fun to watch.  The rear female is dominating the front one, being quite the B!

So, hoping for more action to report to you tomorrow.

In Yellowstone, if you will be there, I did get a report of a lot of bear activity in Lamar Valley.  Most of the bears are a ways off and not great for photography but if you want to see some, that is the place to go.  There is a courting pair and at least one sow with new cubs.  And, you can definitely see wolves at Slough Creek where the Junction Buttes are denning.  You might even seen small wolf puppies!

I know of no sightings of the Beryl sow and her three cubs recently, no word on Mini Mom, and there is at least one sow with one cub in the Hayden area but I am not sure she has been visible from the road.  You might also see the Wapiti pack while in Hayden.  A lot of Sandhill cranes down the west side of the park.  And, get this, there were trumpeter swans in Soda Butte Valley recently, in addition to the one that has been seen every once in awhile on Floating Island lake.

That is about all for tonight.  Lake Lodge celebrated 125 years of existence.  That is a long time.  I was so anxious to get to the Tetons that I drove right on by.