A great Monday in Canyon with few wildlife sightings but lots of hiking and skiing.
During my ski time, which considering that the Northern Range has no snow was an extra bonus, I did have the privilege of seeing the Wapiti pack gray yearling. The wolf ran right in front of me, about 150 yards away and then stopped to look back, giving just enough time for a wolf dot shot!
After the wolf continued on, I resumed my ski hike for some time but was unnerved by the high hills and deep valleys where bears can hide. And then to top it all off, there were grizzly tracks, big and small, and many areas of fairly fresh digging. I decided to cut the ski short and head back to the car.
And then I decided to hike the road to Hayden Valley, since the gate is closed and the idea of some alone time with possible wildlife sightings enchanted me. Carrying about 30 lbs of equipment, I headed down the road. The only critters I found to photograph were the trumpeter swans. At least I got the camera out and had a great time down there by myself. A little worn out, I decided to head for home.
This is when I admit to all of you that photo ops have not been so good for the past week plus. Sightings, far off in the distance, have been great, as has spending time with friends, but photo subjects not so much. The sun has been ultra bright by 8 a..m., making the lighting very tough, as well as causing heat waves that interfere with good focus. It goes that way some times but the park is not all about photos for me, it is about watching the animals and advocating for them. And, these days it is all about great hikes and being healthy. There is so much in Yellowstone that I have not seen but hope to.
So, a wolf and trumpeter swans were my only photo subjects for today and they are nothing to brag about, even though I had a great time getting them.
Steve and Jo Anne went south to find the Canyons and then found a few black bears, which is why I posted black bear images! LOL Here is the report from Jo Anne:
Hi Deby! We ventured South with hopes of seeing the Canyons again, but they stayed up in the timber. We heard a group of them howling, North of where we saw them yesterday, in communication with one wolf where we think their den might be. We spotted 3 black bear at Phantom Lake, a mom and her cub and then a little bit West of them we saw a big boar. The boar charged a resting elk and sent the elk scrambling up the hill.
From Deby – I would have loved to see that boar going after the elk!
See you tomorrow.
