YELLOWSTONE'S WILD WORLD

During a time when Yellowstone has been unexpectedly slow I have driven frequently to Hayden Valley where I like to spend the last couple of weeks of the season due to great sightings, usually, there has been nothing.  No people, a few bison, elk in the forests, bears hidden or sleeping, no wolves, a coyote every once in a while, no foxes, a few swans and lucky, fleeting glances of wolves.

Because it has been slow I have been taking time off to work at the computer, making calendars and getting images ready to market.  And, I was yearning to take one last trip to McCullough Peaks before Sylvan pass closed.  I made that trip a couple of days ago, passing a quiet Swan Lake Flats, spending 30 minutes in the construction zone, seeing nothing at Elk or Gibbon Meadows, seeing nothing between Norris and Canyon…seeing nothing all of the way out the East Gate.  I took about 20 images of swans and that was all.

It was mid-afternoon by the time I reached the horses and my plan was to photograph them evening and the next morning.  But, I could only find about 12 horses that were close enough to hike out to, though I did see a lot of black cows all over the place.  The band, Hansome’s band is my favorite because they were my first and were in the same general location where I first found them.  Hansome was breeding with one of his girls, the one I think looks like the Old Indian, and she was kicking the crap out of him.

But, now he was breeding with Ms. Packman, though I am sure she is branded and unable to get pregnant.  Ms. Packman was much more receptive, jealously so and was enjoying the attention and the act.  Hansome was quite busy with her.

As for the others in the band, they all seemed sort of settled and mundane.  Washaki almost seemed indifferent to Tigress and actually allowed her to get close to the other guys.  She seemed to be trying to get him stirred up – get a rise out of him, as she flirted.

Though, Washaki did eventually move her off alone.

This is an old image but I still like it.

There was a little bustle once but not much.

The horses were gorgeous.  Looking great going into winter without much in the way of winter coats.  Perhaps it will be warmer in that area because the animals in Yellowstone have very thick coats.

The horses went off for water and I went looking for some others to photograph, which gave this band a chance to cross the road and go further west, putting me on the wrong side of the sun that finally made an appearance.

When I failed to find any other bands I returned to the 12 and had to park along the highway and climb the fence to get them.  I had light, finally, and could not leave without photographing them in the evening.

I walked out to the horses and stood, waiting to photograph them when Tigress and Washaki decided to come over for a visit.  I was trying to back up and stumbled at one point, spooking Washaki but he soon got over that.  I looked out towards the road and of course there was a BLM guy watching.  So glad that I was trying to back up but I sure had not gotten back far enough.  Because the horses kept coming.  And then Hansome and Ms. Packman decided to come visit too!  So, I had 4 horses trying to come see me and me trying to get photos before the light went away.

Truth be told, I was delight to be getting some closer shots of the horses as I had taken only a short 200mm lens out there with me.  The climb over the fence was a little spooky, what with getting caught in barbed wire and all, so I could not risk falling and damaging my big lens.

Washaki always looks a little grouchy but that evening he was pleasant, unperturbed, okay with the world, and maybe even smiling.  Tigress was just being playful.  I never let them get close enough to smell me or for me to touch them, just close enough for a few shots and then I would back up again.

Because I could not find the other horses and because I can’t look at these horses without thinking about 1000 of them being rounded up in Wyoming, I lacked enthusiasm to stay the night.  Plus, my body was in pain and my hand not working well at all and so I did not want to sleep in the car but motels were in short supply and too expensive.  I drove back to the park and ended up sleeping in the car anyways, during a series of 7 naps along the way.  Making my way to Lamar in hopes of seeing the Lamar Canyons.  I saw Big Grey but the others eluded me.  Darn them.

And, another day at home, trying to catch up but fretting over wolf stuff.  This can be a hard place for a sensitive soul like myself.  But, I love it here and if I weren’t sensitive then I would not care.