The possibilities of great wildlife sightings, due to numerous bison carcasses, and photographs, continues in the Northern range. Great sightings are being had by many but the photo ops have been nil, unless willing to break the rules. And the rules keep getting harder to obey and follow because often range far wider than the rules of the park.
Not sure if the recent bison deaths are due to rut injuries or just old age but we now have three, possibly four, bison carcasses between Little America and Soda Butte Valley. The wolves are getting plenty to eat the bears are showing up in force.
I am imagining that Scarface disappeared into a carcass somewhere in Lamar while another grizzly was seen in the same area.
And, then my girl and her new baby finally put on a show last evening. I have been waiting and waiting for her to come down off of the mountain so that I could get a good look and finally she came. Delighted, we watched her off in the distance for quite some time, until she disappeared. What we did not know because we did not follow her with the cars, was that she went down a ways and crossed the road. And then crossed again. It was too dark, really, for good photos, but I sure would have appreciated a chance to try.
It looked like LA Sow was trying to choose between the two carcasses in Little America and was going to go for the one that was further down but got scared off by something.
While I was watching LA Sow, nothing happened with the Lamar Canyons during the evening. But, morning was a different story and it was apparent to me that the family would soon move. At 6:15 a.m. I got to hear the family howl and it sure fed my soul! Later we heard that BG had crossed right before the howl. Still later we heard that Spit had crossed also.
I took a few distant shots and a little video, which I hope to share soon, but was mostly helping people see the wolves. One young lady attached herself to me and she had not seen the wolves yet so we went out into the field where the watchers stood and Rick was able to show her wolves. I looked through my own scope and saw 4 black pups, one gray pup and both alphas, heading east. What a great looking family. Right then I knew that the family would move and thought that they were going to do it right then and went down to a different area in hopes of capturing them. But, they were just preparing for the move, as that happened first thing this morning.
This morning my cold had the better of me and I was late, very late, getting out. When I arrived it was to discover that the family had crossed the road at 6:15 that morning and were now on the other side of the creek on a hill. I walked down the road because there is no parking in this area, or virtually none, just in time to see Spit and two pups disappear into the trees. That was it for me!
While speaking with Rick and Kathy, John Kerr pulled up with a truck load of closure signs. Apparently the carcass that the animals have been feeding on for the past 4 days has become a risk and needs to be closed up to 500 yards away! Seriously? I think that a closure should have been done 4 days ago when the carcass was still substantial food, in order to keep the fishermen safe but it wasn’t. And, if it had been closed the closure would have been about 100 or 200 yards – not 1/3 of the entire valley and in such a way that people have no place to stand safely off of the road. I was told that the closure was for the carcass but believe it was for over-management of the wolves, which are now many hundreds of yards from the road.
And so after many long hours of waiting and watching I am now assured to never get any photos with my cameras because that right is reserved for those with scopes. Suddenly Lamar Valley photography is for digiscopers only.
Don’t get me wrong – I want these wolves kept safe but I want them for everyone, not just for the enjoyment of the few wolf watchers who give brief glances into their scopes.
In the meantime, 755 was seen in the eastern rendezvous area this morning and is reported to be with his Canyon gal. And, later this morning a black wolf was seen near Alum Creek, heading over to three other wolves. So, the Canyons are back in Hayden. And, apparently, according to some photography friends, it is tough to get any information on the pack from watchers in that area.
So, great and wonderful sightings. And, I have been making some people’s trips by showing them grizzlies and wolves. Most of my focus has been going to showing the animals to visitors, since the photo ops do not exist and it has been very, very rewarding. Not great for the portfolio or for sharing here and on Facebook, or for the pocketbook, but to hear that I have made someone’s trip because I set up a scope for their little boy to watch the grizzlies, or to find a grizzly so a woman can finally see her first one…maybe that is what my journey is about. And, maybe, just maybe, someday the photos will come.
And, so it is frustrating, dealing with some stuff in the park but mostly rewarding and fulfilling on a personal basis.
Patience, my friend. At least the animals are safe.
I think it is great that you are able to share your scope with families. Just think of the stories these children are going to be able tell their classmates about their summer vacation. You are a wonderful mentor and educator.