YELLOWSTONE'S WILD WORLD

As always, the morning began by looking for the Lamar Canyons but it wasn’t even sunrise when Rick told me that he was moving on because we did not have much chance of seeing them.

As it turned out they were in town after all, up in the forest.  Except 967 decided to come out and show himself for a little while before going back to hide.  I did not see him, except in a photo.  And, George said that he heard them howling at about 1:30, which was the time I was heading for home.  Maybe Rick got to see them…

And so, I headed back to the west and into a Lamar Valley Sunrise.  It is not often we get the pink skies like this and it was breathtaking with the snow.

According to radio chatter wolves were being seen in Little America and Slough.  A couple had been seen on the elk carcass from yesterday and Doug mentioned lots of howling.  And, then howls were being heard from Slough.

By the way is was minus 13 again this morning and so I was not anxious to get out of the car.

I arrived at Canyon West in time to see wolves down by Slough Creek, on the flats.  Lots of wolves!  Saw all 6 grays, and then 6 blacks.  And then a couple of more blacks appeared for a grand total of 14.  So, I went down to Slough and carried the camera out to Bob’s Knob, just in time for them to begin heading west.  Figures.

Except for Twin – he stayed behind.  And he was in the exact same spot about 6 hours later when I hiked back out.  But, I am getting ahead of myself.

About 1:30 I decided to head for home.  Driving through Little America I looked to my left and saw a gray wolf trotting in a field.  Someone was standing there, looking through a scope, but above the wolf so they didn’t see her.

Really should have kept my mouth shut but decided to be nice and let the person know about the wolf.  I am too nice for my own good because after we had this great show he was berating me to someone else.  Live and learn.  I have to quit being nice.  I did enjoy sharing her with a couple of photographers that have been here for a while and hoping to get wolf photos.  Real nice guys and they would have done the same for me.

Anyway, she kind of disappeared into the sage and so I went to another pullout.  Turned out, a little later, that she was bedded on a little hill, watching us.  I really thought that the wolf was 870 and sort of still think that, except that the collar is new, so she has to be 969 or Swoosh.

Swoosh crossed the road and continued along a little ridge for some time, stopping here and there.  Posing on a rock.  Nice light and nice background.  A little far but not bad.  Ended up being a truly enjoyable experience – except that my friends were berated by this other guy and they didn’t do anything wrong.  Too many judges out there!  But, we did not let his sour puss bug us too much, because he can’t help himself.

We are guessing that Swoosh might be looking to hook up with Twin, who was sleeping the day away not far from her.  With the Prospects gone west and her away from her pack, it would be perfect timing.  And, then we could get him off of the market and settling down, which would be a really good thing for the rest of the wolves.

Swoosh went and slept the afternoon away on top of a Peregrine, while Twin remained sleeping beneath some bison in Slough.  Wonder what will happen in the night?

And, so I was getting ready to go home once again when George called to say he found two wolves.  I wasn’t going to go look but then curiosity got the better of me and so back to Lamar.  By this time I had seen 15 wolves for the day.

But, things were set to get better, worse, scary?  Not sure.

By the time I arrived George told me there were 8 wolves and I assumed it was the Lamar Canyons.  But, there were 5 grays and 4 blacks – so nine wolves when I arrived.  They were all getting up and moving about at the same time.  Well, with Swoosh over in Little America, and them only have 3 blacks, nothing made sense.  Three grays had collars when only two should have, unless 870 was with them.  And 4 blacks would have to mean that the bitten black pup was back with the pack and that 890 was still hanging close.  They looked good – looked like a mighty strong and healthy pack.

I can’t help but think that my instincts that 911 has been gathering troops to take over Lamar Valley is his plan and that he is close to taking action.  I think, given the Lamar’s location, that they were well aware of the others and so had retreated some.  I just pray that they stay safe.

There are uncertain times in wolf world.