I don’t have any new photos to show you, except a grainy one of Spitfire taken in the rain today. Actually had a nice video of her but it vanished while trying to edit. Some days are just like that.
We finally have more pups to see! The Junction Buttes, 890 and 870, have 4 new pups – two gray and two black. Just writing that gave me goosebumps because 870 is such an amazing story. Last year, right at breeding time, she was alpha female of the Junction Buttes when she was injured and lost her status. We did not think that she would survive but she did and when Ragged Tail, who took 870’s place after the injury, mysteriously disappeared last year, leaving behind four pups, 870 was able to step up and keep the pups alive and thriving. Later, the alpha male, Puff, also disappeared, and 890, who had been off with 889 until she went with 755, became the alpha male. The two took on the family as if they were their own and now are parents themselves. I have tears streaming down my face right now and am all choked up. This makes me so very happy.
Last February, when 890 and 870 were trying to keep the black female away from 755, 870 snuck off for a minute with 755. I love that girl’s gumption!
Anyway, I have not seen the pups but Doug, who had been wolf less for four or five days, got to see them this morning and he was all smiles.
In the meantime, 911, the black female and the JB yearling male all continue to hang out in Lamar Valley and be seen on the other side of the river – dots in the sage or the trees. And, Doug also told me that Lish saw the Canyon alphas yesterday, near the power lines on the west side of the road. Their rendezvous site from last year. I went over to try and find the wolves in Canyon but it was so socked in with fog that I could not see the yellow line on the road.
And, for the biggest treat of all! Spitfire was out and about today. Someone hit a deer carcass in Soda Butte Valley and she found it first thing this morning. Unfortunately, according to Rick, there was a mob scene and so we don’t know how much she got to eat.
PEOPLE LEAVE OUR WILDLIFE ALONE! This wolf needs to eat so she can feed her babies.
They may have moved the carcass so I am not sure it will still be there. But, now that she has been scared off of her meal, a bear could well come in and take it over if it was not removed.
I know that folks want to see wolves – I want to see them too. But, think about their welfare – it might be more important than a photo
The wildlife must eat in order to survive, geez don’t people get it. So glade that you seen spitfire, sure hope all is well with her and the family.
This offers hope for the future. Thanks, Deby!
So glad you saw Spitfire!