Lucky me, I found my favorite eagle once again, hanging out on the Gardner River, looking for fish. This was yesterday, late afternoon, and as I sat there the sun got low behind the mountains and cast an amazing glow on my friend here. I did wait and wait for him to catch a fish but he just watched the water go by. What a beautiful bird!
It was snowing this morning and visibility was yucky with no real sunrise. Despite making it to the valley first, from the west, I was not lucky enough to see the Lamars disappear on a high ridge and into the fog. But, I was lucky enough to see tracks all over the place. Looks like they had a wolf party last night. And, it was also quite nice to just sit around and talk to friends for a while this morning.
From what I gathered, all of the other wolves were high and hidden as well. Much different day than yesterday and it was rather nice to know that the wolves were off doing their thing and that the drama had died down, at least for a while.
I took a long hike down to the Lamar River and because it was frozen solid in many areas was able to walk down it for quite aways. I even saw a bison walk across the ice – but ultimately was too chicken to get out in the middle myself, even though it really is not all that high. Next time. I was looking for otters but they haven’t been in that area for awhile. Some wolves crossed the river from the north and then wandered down the ice for some distance also.
It is spooky down there, all by myself, yet it is wonderful and so peaceful. This is one area where my cell phone might work if trouble ensues, and where someone might hear if I call on the radio. And, of course, I have bear spray with me.
I wore my heavy winter boots, snow pants and big jacket and was just burning up before too long. Plus, those boots make me work harder, which is part of the plan. Before long I will be on snowshoes or skis and so want to hike as much as possible before that time.
Though, really, it does not seem much like winter in Yellowstone as the snow is minimal. In Gardiner it is like spring, almost. Personally, I would like more snow but sure do enjoy the warmer weather and am taking advantage by being out and active as much as possible. Seeing more and more of Yellowstone – if only the animals would come to see me!
I headed in early but saw a coyote when close to Mammoth and so decided to stop and sit on a rock to see if it wandered by. To my surprise the coyote came out on a path leading right past the rock, though it did change its course when it saw me. So many of my Yellowstone wildlife images are in endless fields of sage and I really appreciate photos of animals, camouflaged in the forests and their natural environment. Which is one of the reasons I am spending more time on the trails, because in the trees is where I love to be, especially when the sound of water is rushing by.
I did go out to Corwin Springs to spend a little time with the big horns this afternoon. This is what they had to say to me:
One of the reasons I went out was to see if there were many of them suffering from pneumonia. I only detected one that was in what is probably the early stages. Funny thing – last year I wrote about a lamb that was choking to death and no one seemed to notice. This year everyone is suddenly worried about the sheep, as if they just now became ill. From what I have been told, this herd has had pneumonia for years, so it probably was not caused by the domestic sheep – at least not entirely. Maybe from domestic sheep further up the valley.
