First up - we went to Yellowstone on Sunday. Turned out to be our best weather of our 3 trips we've made. A friend of mine got up bright and early to go with us. First up - just past the 7-Mile Bridge we made our first stop. We found Canada Geese, a Sandhill Crane pair, 2 Bald Eagles and a Coyote.
We didn't make any other stops until we found a Bison herd just past the Yellowstone Picnic Area. Lots of babies so we sat down and watched.
Ahhhhh. My favorites - Spring in Yellowstone!
Hoping for Black Bears we hiked down - I should say UP! - the road to Tower. We had to do a bit of standing off the road - Very Still - to let the Bison pass. Scary!! But a bit further down the road we finally found a Black Bear and her yearling cub.
I wanted a bunch more photos of them - after all I had walked UP there! - but here come the Bison again and there go the bears! So we walked on up to Calcite and sat on the side of the road - my friend had spotted a Long-tailed Weasel !!
We were having great fun and wouldn't you know it - here come the Bison AGAIN!!! After getting out of their way we couldn't find the Weasel again so back down the hill we went to the truck.
We did stop for a bit to watch 2 black Wolves - there was a carcass in the sagebrush. They weren't all that close so I didn't waste alot of time taking pictures.
We hoped for Pika at the spot we always stop at but it was full of Golden Mantled Ground Squirrels - they got their pictures taken.
And finally a Moose at Last Chance.
I got up bright and early and headed north on Monday morning. Stopped at the Burrowing Owls first.
Then on to Camas.
I've looked and looked and just can't spot a nest so I'm not sure if the Great Horned Owls ever nested at Camas. But there are 2 of the that hang out in the trees.
Then on to Market Lake. Calm water made for a Great reflection of the Western Grebe.
The Mom was finally off the nest and there were at least 2 little Great Horned Owl babies.
LOVE to spot the Painted Turtles!
Marsh Wren - or as I like to call them - Little Bird-Big Mouth! They sure are noisy!!
Tuesday Don was off so we loaded up and headed to the Tetons - in the rain. We were in search of BEARS!
We couldn't remember which road they were down - Pilgrim Creek or Pacific Creek - so we went down Pacific Creek first. No bears but I spotted a gray lump on a log and quick told Don to STOP! We backed up and here it's a Ruffed Grouse and as we sat there we got to watch him "display". What a treat!!
Didn't try to get my shutter speed fast enuf - I did some video instead - but I like this shot of his wings all blurred - they really do go FAST!! He must hold on tight so he doesn't take off!!
We finally found the bears - this is Grizzly 399 with her 2 - 2 year old cubs. It was raining. Alot!!
She crossed the road with the cubs and then she was much closer to us so got a few good shots. Oops! Butt shots!!
On the way home we went thru Alpine and stopped at this big rock pile to check for Pika. Once again we came up empty but I finally got to see a black Marmot.
And finally at Swan Valley I spied 4 Turkey Vultures in a tree and we turned around and went back for some shots of them. So glad we did!!
Ok - that takes care of this past week. Now to wait until Tuesday morning!!
No comments:
Post a Comment