Just Two Owls

It's been over a month since I've been out to Market Lake!  It slows down this time of year as most of the birds head south for the Winter but I went anyway - was just hoping for some shots of the Great Horned Owl since they stay all year. 

The only thing I saw along the water were Coots.  I did see a Great Blue Heron but he was already poised to take flight when I finally saw him.  So it was on to the trees. 

And I wasn't too far down the path and it started to sprinkle on me.  I tho't - Well, it's not too bad.  So then it started to RAIN!!  I just about turned around and headed for the car but kept going north and didn't get too far and the rain was done.  Right decision!

Unfortunately I spooked one of the Great Horned Owls as I walked north.  I never even saw him but watched to see how far he flew and then I really kept an eye out for it.  And was lucky enough to spot him again - this time he stayed for some photos.

Walked a bit further and turned around.  The Great Horned Owl took off when he saw me coming again.  I can't walk those trees without scanning them as I go by - looking and looking - in hopes of seeing a Northern Saw Whet again.

I haven't seen a NSWhet since May 24th and I haven't spotted one myself since March 31st.  

But guess what I found today????!!!!!

I'd already walked by him once - but like I said - I can't walk those trees without looking for them!  Good thing!!

He was hidden pretty good! Here's the far-away shot.

Don't even try - I'll get you one a bit closer.

Now you can see him - right there in the center.  He had a good spot - hard to see him OR get a photo of him.  But I'm happy with what I got!!

Yeah - I tried every angle!!

What a Great Morning!!!  Hope you enjoyed the photos!!

 

Cindy's Big Adventure

Or Cindy Goes To Yellowstone.  By Herself!!!

Yes, I had the day off but Don didn't - and with his back surgery he probably couldn't stand to ride that long anyway - so I loaded up the car and headed to Yellowstone - all by myself.  It was a first - I've never done Yellowstone all by myself!!  

It was a pretty slow day for animal sightings.  There were Elk near 7-Mile Bridge but I didn't stop as they weren't all that close.  Then it was just alot of driving.  Nothing to see - but I did get to check out the road construction between Norris and Mammoth.  Wonder if they'll get it done next year??

Did I say it was pretty slow for animal sightings??  There was ONE Bison in Lamar Valley!  I finally snapped a few of some Mule Deer near the Yellowstone River bridge.

I back-tracked to see if Blacktail Plateau Drive had opened - it hadn't - but there was a very nice Bull Elk grazing right next to the road.

So I turned around again and went to check the Roosevelt to Tower area - again - hoping to see - - - Anything!!

And this time thru I was in time to see a Black Bear!  The crowd was small and well-behaved.  The bear grazed, checked the people and finally crossed the road.  

I headed back to the car and made the drive over Dunraven Pass/Mt Washburn and avoided the road construction.  At Canyon I went right - sure there was something happening - that I was missing - along the Gibbon River. 

If there was - I missed it!!

I stopped to check for Pika and could only find one and he was high and on the move.  Had to be quick to get the few shots of him I did.

Was a nice day for some shots of the Tetons - out the window of course!

Unless I get the itch - and my schedule works out - this was probably my last trip to the Park for the year.  

Time to start the countdown to the first trip in April!!  184 days - 10 hours - 24 minutes - - -