Oh boy, oh boy, let the show begin!
Elk dot the lawn, center stage at Mammoth, rangers are stationed and ready to go and Rasputin is chasing the girls! Bugling fills the air and a moment later a pair of antlers take aim at a white car whose driver stopped for a better look.
I went home for awhile this afternoon, to take care of business and as I drove the hill to Mammoth, a large and beautiful bull posed on the hillside. His head high and so regal that it took my breath away. The smile that came across my face was immediate and huge. Could not believe that I was so darned happy to see the bull elk and know that the rut had begun. That big guy was on his way to Mammoth and in the shadows so I did not take his pic but the big guy ahead was about to have some competition. Right now it is just him and a couple of small guys with a lot of gals and healthy calfs. Very healthy calfs.
When I pulled into Mammoth I did not know which way to look until spotting Rasputin standing over a gal and my smile brightened even more. I went around behind the motel, grabbed my gear and got there just in time to see the gal make a run for it, with the big guy on her tail.
When she got far ahead he bugled and my smile got even brighter. They went into the shadows and around in front of the hotel so I walked around there and found a crowd watching. A young ranger was being Elk Rut Jam trained by Keith. She is going to have her hands full and is in for an interesting month.
As the bull crossed the road, towards some more cows, he went into the shadows and I went away, heading back to camp, with a big smile on my face.
A beautiful end to a gorgeous day. Started out at 36 degrees with blue skies and it was about 51 this evening but very warm in Gardiner.
I went down to Canyon and found that they had removed the carcass down there so took a drive to Gull Point Drive, looking for critters but came up empty handed.
Decided to try the construction zone for the first time in a long time and it was slow but not bad. But, the one bison bison jams afterwards were a little much. Took me close to three hours to get home!
Tonight I found a black wolf in the Lamar rendezvous area but can not say if it was Spitfire or disaster. Some others saw a gray wolf for a split second and they could not tell if there was a collar on either one of them. I searched and searched, until it was too dark, but could not find them again. There were no pups so hopefully it was the Disasters.
Love the bull elk Deby! I am ready for the rut.
Busy…busy!!!!!!
Oh yeah, fall is on the way!