Time's A-Windin' Down

*Critters we’ve seen on our 2013 trip so far:  bison, pronghorn, elk, white-tail deer, Uinta ground squirrel, coyote, snowshoe hare, grizzly bear, moose, wolf, red fox, black bear, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, mule deer, llama, white-tailed jackrabbit, American badger

*Birds we’ve seen on our 2013 trip so far: osprey, pheasant, magpie, raven, Canada geese, mountain bluebird, grouse, golden eagle, bald eagle, American avocet, sandhill crane, red-tailed hawk, cliff swallow, northern flicker, Clark’s nutcracker, Brewer’s blackbird

 

[Click on any photo to enlarge.]

It was another wonderful month in Yellowstone, but our time was winding down.  The seasons were changing, and there was still so much we wanted to see, but mostly we just took short drives.  At Snow Lake Flats we could see snow in the mountains, but we were there for another reason.  We had heard there was a grizzly on a carcass across the river, and though we couldn’t see the remains, we could distinctly see her with our binoculars and scope.  However, I had to divert my attention for a few minutes to watch a soaring hawk above our heads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weather was particularly chilly one day as we made our way towards the Norris area, and in the distance we could see the steam rising over the Norris Geyser Basin…almost looked like fires burning.  We only went as far as the Norris campground because the weather was getting worse with flurries starting to come down.

On our way to Gardiner one afternoon, we saw several cars pulled over which meant there must be critters in the area, probably big horn sheep.  We found a spot to park and discovered that there were 6 rams sunning themselves on the opposite river bank.  It was so surprising

 

to see them down here at this time of year since they usually stay at the higher elevations until November/December when the temperatures are cooler, and it’s time for their rut.

 

         The bison were starting to make their annual migration. After the rut, the bulls generally travel solo, and this big guy was not only traveling alongside the road but obviously getting too close to

    the tourists.  Oh, wait, it’s the human’s responsibility to keep that 25 yard distance from the wildlife!  A couple of day’s later he actually came through the campground (well, maybe it wasn’t the exact same bull), came right up to our

       site, and crossed over to hang out at the site across from us for a bit before moving on down the road and up the hill.

 

 

       This was also the month of Russ’ 60^th birthday, and I had a big surprise planned for him.  I secretly contacted several of our friends and family across the country via email and asked if they’d like to join in the fun by mailing a card

for him to the attention of friends in St. Louis by a specific date.  (I couldn’t very well have the mail coming to our mail box in Mammoth!)  The plan was to have Jim then mail the package of cards to Connie, one of our co-hosts, in time to get them to me to give to him on the big

     day.  The morning of his birthday (Sept. 27) we awoke to a couple inches of snow (pictured above left) and after breakfast I presented him with a bag full of 41 cards!  My sister even sent a couple of party hats and noise makers!

 

       That evening we joined Connie and Frank for dinner at the Yellowstone Mine Restaurant in Gardiner, a place we had never eaten, and enjoyed a fabulous meal shared with wonderful friends.  We had promised Russ there would be no singing, but our server surprised him with a huge candlelit Red Velvet Cupcake with buttercream frosting (big enough for the 4 of us to share!) and
along with the other servers (and us) serenaded him with happy birthday.  Thanks to all who participated in the fun with a very special thank you to Jim, Gloria, Frank, and Connie who helped me make this an extra special day for Russ!

 

    A few days later we met up with friends at the Slough Creek Campground (pronounced slew), about a 45 min. drive if there are no animal jams.  The colors were changing, and it was a beautiful drive, but of course, we ran into
   a bison jam.  As you can see from this photo out the front window, we were going nowhere until he moved!  Now some of you may remember that last year we enjoyed an incredible sea scallop dinner with Rich, Annette, Bill, and their friends.  This group has been
     getting together every year at the same campground for over 20 years and always eats in style when camping…no hot dogs and hamburgers for this gang!  Rich served as Chef Bill’s assistant this time and was in charge of toasting the tortilla triangles and plating the huge
   scallops on triangles topped with homemade guacamole and  a tossed salad served on the side.  The food was yummy, and the group is always fun and very gracious, even inviting a couple of young men from Australia who were camping nearby.

 

We were scheduled to stay in Yellowstone until Oct. 15 but with the looming government shutdown, we weren’t sure that was going to hold.  We’d been told of temporary plans in the event it did occur, but more on that in the next post.

 

Yellowstone Tidbits:

• Bighorn sheep ram skulls have 2 layers of bone above the brain that act as a shock absorber in head-on fighting during the rut.
• More people are hurt by bison than by bears each year in Yellowstone.
• There are about 290 waterfalls, 15 ft. or higher, that flow year-round in Yellowstone.
• The Sheep Eater tribe of the Shoshone Indians lived in many locations throughout Yellowstone and used dogs to transport their food, hides, and other provisions.

In A Rut?

*Critters we’ve seen on our 2013 trip so far:  bison, pronghorn, elk, white-tail deer, Uinta ground squirrel, coyote, snowshoe hare, grizzly bear, moose, wolf, red fox, black bear, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, mule deer, llama, white-tailed jackrabbit, American badger

*Birds we’ve seen on our 2013 trip so far: osprey, pheasant, magpie, raven, Canada geese, mountain bluebird, grouse, golden eagle, bald eagle, American avocet, sandhill crane, red-tailed hawk, cliff swallow, northern flicker, Clark’s nutcracker, Brewer’s blackbird

 

[Click on any photo to enlarge.]

Fall is the time of year when it cools down and the bull elk make their way down from the higher elevations because it’s mating season!  Known as the rut, they gather together as many cows and calves as they can to create their “harem” and will aggressively defend the group against intruders
by chasing the other bulls, thrashing their antlers against the ground and trees, and head butting and antler wrestling each other if neither bull backs down.  Sometimes they will even ram cars parked nearby.  One of the bulls this year took out the rear passenger window of a ranger’s car!
 

The size and configuration of the bull’s rack is a sign of his quality and virility to the cows.  To appear more impressive, they will also wallow in the mud and urinate on themselves as a “perfume” to attract more cows.  Some of these guys never seem to think they
      have enough and will actually leave their harem unattended and head down the hill to gather up a couple more…kind of a risky venture on their part!  Younger, immature bulls try to get in on the action but usually are not very successful.

 

You generally know when the rut has begun because the bulls begin to bugle which not only announces their presence to other males but also gives a cow clues to his size and strength (key factors she wants to impart to her offspring). 
       The vocal range of the bugle varies with the individual and their maturity level.  It can be heard for miles and is one of the most amazing and distinctive sounds.

 

      The rut is very tiring and draining for the bulls, using up much of their energy.  They rarely eat during this time and may lose up to 20% of their body weight.

 

       The Mammoth Hot Springs area is quite popular during this time of year mainly because of the rut.  Elk seem to be everywhere up in town and in the campground which fills up very early everyday with some folks staying nearly a month just to
  watch the craziness of not only the elk but the tourists.  Extra staff and volunteers are on duty during the rut to keep folks at a safe distance, to educate them on what they are witnessing, and to hopefully keep the traffic flowing.

 

  We were a little disappointed in this year’s rut as we didn’t have nearly the number of elk hanging out in the campground as in the previous two years, and we’re not sure why.  However, one thing we love about our campsite is that there’s a little underground stream 
   nearby and the elk like to come get a drink so we get to see them more than other areas of the campground.  In fact several of these photos were taken from the RV, but hopefully next year will be an even better rutting season for viewing.

 

Yellowstone Tidbits:

• Young bulls (about a year old) are called spikes mainly because of their single antlers that usually have no branches.
• When threatened, an elk will strike out with their forefeet.
• Growing antlers, which are shed each spring, are covered in soft skin full of blood called velvet and is removed each fall by rubbing them on shrubs and trees.

Teddy Bear's Picnic

*Critters we’ve seen on our 2013 trip so far:  bison, pronghorn, elk, white-tail deer, Uinta ground squirrel, coyote, snowshoe hare, grizzly bear, moose, wolf, red fox, black bear, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, mule deer, llama, white-tailed jackrabbit, American
badger

*Birds we’ve seen on our 2013 trip so far: osprey, pheasant, magpie, raven, Canada geese, mountain bluebird, grouse, golden eagle, bald eagle, American avocet, sandhill crane, red-tailed hawk, cliff swallow, northern flicker, Clark’s nutcracker, Brewer’s blackbird

[Click on any photo to enlarge.]

There’s a darling children’s song called Teddy Bear’s Picnic, and it popped to mind as a title for this blog even though these definitely would not be classified as teddy bears…but they are so cute!

Early one morning while we were working, we had some unexpected campers.  At the far end of the campground, Russ spied a brown black bear sow and her two cubs…one black, one brown.  He radioed me so I could radio the Communications Center for assistance in keeping folks the required 100 yards from them.

The little Teddy Bears are having

A lovely time today.
Watch them, catch them unawares

Mama was pretty well out of sight most of the time, but the cubs were quite active, walking through campsites including one that was occupied.  This camper was not using a tent or staying in a vehicle but was instead sleeping in a cot out in the open.  When Russ first got down there, he thought the guy was actually sleeping in it as the cub walked by!  Turns out he was nearby taking pictures.

 

Beneath the trees where nobody sees

They'll hide and seek as long as they please
 

People were stopping in the middle of the road much closer than they should have been, but at least they were protected in their car.  Bear management arrived and helped to keep the traffic flowing and the spectators at a distance.  As you can see, Russ fortunately had grabbed our camera to get a few great shots, too.

 

Every Teddy Bear who's been good

Is sure of a treat today,

There's lots of marvelous things to eat

 

The cubs were most interested in getting to the berries in the bushes at the campsites.  Russ said it was amazing to watch them climb into
   these bushes and slender trees balancing their weight as they munched without falling or even barely bending the branches.

 

Finally the cubs decided to join mom in a tree near the amphitheater, and there they
   stayed for awhile until bear management decided for the safety of everyone to haze them up the hill into town and beyond.  Wish I could have been down there to see them firsthand, but Russ did get some fantastic pictures of the little bears having their picnic.

 

If you go down in the woods today you better not go alone

It's lovely down in the woods today but saver to stay at home

For every bear that ever there was will gather there for certain

Because today's the day the Teddy Bears have their picnic 



Yellowstone Tidbits:

• Black and grizzly bears walk on the entire foot like humans do.
• Yellowstone was the world’s first national park.
• In 2012 park visitation topped the 3 million mark for the sixth straight year.
• Old Faithful eruptions can vary in height from 103-184 feet.