YELLOWSTONE'S WILD WORLD

Two mornings ago, on my way into the park and before I visited the big horn sheep, my day was greeted by a number of elk standing on a hill with the intense blue sky behind them.  They were looking downhill and some were spooking.  Running a few steps and looking back.  That was when I spotted a canid running through the snow.

The sight of elk, snow, canid, beautiful setting, was enough to get my blood pumping.  I thought for a second that I was getting ready to witness a wolf hunt all by myself.  But, I soon noticed the shorter strides, smaller body (maybe pups!) and then finally that black pointy snout.  No wolves but it was the first time for seeing coyotes actively trying to hunt the elk.

And, the coyotes did have the elk’s attention, even making large groups of them run for a few feet before remembering that it was just a coyote.  Yes, there were large numbers of elk and later, when I moved off, there were more across the street but behind some trees.  I have to wonder if the coyotes are watching the wolves and learning new hunting skills because going into my third winter here, it seems that they are getting bolder.  Or, perhaps I am noticing more.

The coyote gave up about as soon as I got excited.  They went over to a ridge, did some business, pawed at the ground, and then exited, traveling beneath the elk.

It was tough to get the coyote and the elk in the same frame, given that they were up on a hill, shortening the distance between us, but I waited for this shot and barely got it, with both animals together.

And then the coyote moves on.

With very few photo ops in the park these days, coyotes and elk are the next best thing to wolves and elk.  Or compared to nothing.  All is very quiet unless looking way off in the distance through a scope and then there is plenty of action way, way out there.

And, it is all about the wolves now.  The wolf project is doing their month long winter study and so there are 3 teams of young people out watching for their pack.  They are studying the Prospect Peak pack, up from 6 after puppies to a high count of 14 with a number of the 8 Miles joining them since the death of the 8 Mile alpha, 871.  Another team is watching the Junction Buttes, who are holding steady at 10.  Let’s hope that they make it through the hunt intact because those alphas really need the help of the yearlings to keep going.  And, finally, the elusive Lamar Canyons, sleeping all day behind a hill where no one could see them.  So close, yet so far.  A few pups out romping about but, despite hours of watching and waiting, I saw none of them.

Hoping things pick up in the park.  It is tiring to go out and not get my juices flowing with photo ops.

One last pick for the day.  I love it when the animals pose in the snowy landscape.