*Critters we’ve seen on our
2014 trip so far: pronghorn, horse, llama,
elk, bison, grizzly, bighorn sheep, mule deer, Uinta ground squirrel, wolf,
black bear, moose, coyote, fox, bullsnake, bat, white-tailed jackrabbit, mountain
goat, yellow-bellied marmot
*Birds we’ve seen on our 2014
trip so far: bald eagle, grouse, osprey, magpie, red-tailed hawk, Canada goose,
great horned owl, American kestrel, sandhill crane, cliff swallow, mountain
bluebird, Ferruginous hawk, cinnamon teal, Clark’s nutcracker, northern
flicker, Brewer’s blackbird, red-winged blackbird, Lazuli bunting
[Click on any photo to enlarge.]
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| Lazuli Bunting |
This seems to be the year for
seeing quite a variety of our feathered friends. Though we always see plenty of birds flying
through the skies and in the trees, I’ve actually been able to get more photos
this time around, and with the help of friends and the internet, identify
 |
| Bald Eagle |
more. Of course there are always some I
just can’t classify or photograph, but it’s been fun trying. Hopefully we’ll see even more throughout the
rest of our stay!
 |
| Red-winged Blackbird |
 |
| Ravens |
 |
| Red-tailed Hawk |
 |
| Brewer's Blackbird |
Besides the birds, there are
always our furry friends, too. These two
black bears were seen on different days in different locations. The one crossing the road ended up being just a few feet on the other side of our car busily digging for grub and totally ignoring all the
tourists taking pictures. The one lying behind the tree made me smile
because it sort of reminded me of Abby.
There’s been a fox
traveling back and forth through the campground quite a bit this summer. One afternoon we had driven up into Mammoth
with Abby in the car of course, when we spotted the fox
crossing the road. Now Abby generally does not bark at the bison
or elk, but when she saw that fox, she went crazy barking at it! What was that “dog” doing in her
territory!??!!
Yellowstone always seems to have a surprise up its sleeve since every
year we get the opportunity to see or witness something we’d never seen
before. This year has proven to be no
different. One afternoon out in Lamar Valley,
a herd of bison were crossing the river.
What
made this so unusual was the manner in which they were doing
it. Small groups would enter the water
and then basically float downstream with the current about 200 yards to what seemed to be a
specific location where they would then climb out on the other side.
Each group went in and would climb out at
basically the same spot…amazing to watch!
I tried to videotape it but wasn’t as familiar with that feature on the
camera and didn’t figure it out until it was too late.
On the human friend side, we’ve had
several folks stop by for a visit and made trips ourselves to visit others. Chris and Steve invited us to their place for
a get together when family was visiting and so
Abby could run and play with
other doggies (only got a photo of this one). While there we were
fortunate to see a yellow-bellied marmot sunning itself on the hill behind
their house! Another day
found us
visiting Steve and Nancy at their place down in the Lake
area where they’ve been working this summer.
This also gave Abby the opportunity to play with Mandy which they seemed
to have no trouble doing despite being tethered on their leads.
On our way home we passed 3 big
bull elk in separate locations, but I was only able to get a decent shot of one. Another was lying too far off the road and down
in the grass while the other would have been just a butt shot with antlers. J
Road construction has continued
throughout the summer with up to 30 min. delays between Norris and Mammoth, and
we discovered on the way back that it has exposed some beautiful stone that was
beneath the hillside.
Yellowstone Tidbits:
- Yellowstone is the only place in the lower 48
states with a continuously free-ranging bison population since prehistoric
times.
- Red fox: Male (dog) weighs 11-12 lbs., female
(vixen) weighs about 10 lbs., young (kit) weighs about 4 oz. at birth; can
produce 28 different vocalizations
- Yellowstone has 5 park entrances, 466 mi. of
road, and over 1000 miles of backcountry trails.
- Canada goose: Male (gander) weighs about 7-14 lbs.,
female (goose) weighs about 5-12 lbs., young (gosling) are able to walk,
swim, and find their own food as soon as they hatch; has a wingspan of
about 50 - 73 in. and can be very aggressive when defending its territory
Besides the birds, there are
always our furry friends, too. These two
black bears were seen on different days in different locations. The one crossing the road ended up being just a few feet on the other side of our car busily digging for grub and totally ignoring all the 
tourists taking pictures. The one lying behind the tree made me smile
because it sort of reminded me of Abby.
There’s been a fox
traveling back and forth through the campground quite a bit this summer. One afternoon we had driven up into Mammoth
with Abby in the car of course, when we spotted the fox 
crossing the road. Now Abby generally does not bark at the bison
or elk, but when she saw that fox, she went crazy barking at it! What was that “dog” doing in her
territory!??!!
made this so unusual was the manner in which they were doing
it. Small groups would enter the water
and then basically float downstream with the current about 200 yards to what seemed to be a
specific location where they would then climb out on the other side. 
Each group went in and would climb out at
basically the same spot…amazing to watch!
I tried to videotape it but wasn’t as familiar with that feature on the
camera and didn’t figure it out until it was too late.
On the human friend side, we’ve had
several folks stop by for a visit and made trips ourselves to visit others. Chris and Steve invited us to their place for
a get together when family was visiting and so 
Abby could run and play with
other doggies (only got a photo of this one). While there we were
fortunate to see a yellow-bellied marmot sunning itself on the hill behind
their house! Another day 
found us
visiting Steve and Nancy at their place down in the 
Road construction has continued
throughout the summer with up to 30 min. delays between Norris and Mammoth, and
we discovered on the way back that it has exposed some beautiful stone that was
beneath the hillside.
