YELLOWSTONE ONE MORE DAY

Thursday, June 12th: This was our last morning together, and the group splits off to return home.

Only three of us went out this morning, Mark, Joe, and myself. We have been traveling together the whole time. We were rewarded with our diligence  with some good animal sighting in the early morning light. First we saw a black bear in a bit of a clearing, then a marmot in good light as well. This was followed by cow elk moving on a ridge, pronghorn, and a bison herd that was on the move. It was great to see them moving through the landscape, and watching the babies frolicking about.

Pronghorn

Elk on the Move

Pronghorn

Pronghorn Loping

Keeping a Watchful Eye

Marmot

Bull in the Garden

Herding the Young

Get up the Hill

Where the Bison Roam

 I bid adieu to all about 1015 after a gathering at breakfast. Klara, and George were to meet me at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel about that time. They got distracted with views, a bull elk, and road construction which caused them to be about an hour late.

On the way back to Ashton, ID, where Klara lives we stopped at a group of photographers. Saw and photographed a couple of sandhill cranes. While there we learned of an elk carcass at the river edge which had been killed by a grizzly the night before. He had come back to the kill in the morning but had already had his fill and gone off for a nap. Ran into a photographer, Cindy, who I know from San Diego, while standing around. An almost meeting with friends from the Grand Canyon days also occurred. This red truck passed us by, pulled into a turn out, and then the gent got out and waved as we drove by. I did not recognize him, and neither did Klara. While in West Yellowstone, I got a call from them. It was John and Shirley who we had worked with, and been good neighbors with several years at the North Rim. (We will be visiting in early July as we head South and home from Vancouver)

Sandhill Crane

Goosefoot Yellow Violet

Our final stop in Yellowstone was to photograph a bull elk that George and Klara had seen when coming to pick me up. While there we met and talked with a couple from Australia. The lady is going to request a photo of the elk. The gent got into quite a discussion with Klara about the vegetation.

This was a great adventure with lots of sightings of wildlife.. It was wonderful seeing and photographing these wild animals in their natural habitat. The chemistry of the group was good as well. Thank you to all of my fellow photographers for a great time.

TETON N. P.

Tuesday, June 10: This morning it was a short drive to Signal Mountain top to photograph sunrise on the Tetons. Only six of us went for sunrise and we were the only ones there with the exception of another couple that showed up. The view is quite good but not one of the iconic views which was nice.

 We also saw a ruffed grouse displaying. Regrettably I did not take time to photograph it as we were a little rushed for time for catching the sunrise light on the Tetons. More wildlife photography and sightings of a bull elk, then landscapes including along Mormon Road. We saw beaver and experimented with making star bursts with flowers.

Least Chipmunk

Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Lichen Detail

Lichen and New Growth

We saw beaver and experimented with making star bursts with flowers.

 Sunset was from Oxbow Bend after some search for moose which are very elusive to us. We have had little luck seeing any, let alone photographing them.

Wednesday, June 11th: We went for sunrise at the Snake River Overlook this morning. It was quite a clear morning so it was important to get the first light on the Tetons. On the way back to breakfast, we saw some white pelicans in quite good light. Back at the the Lodge at Signal Mountain there were opportunities to do “portrait” shots of the individual mountains that make up the Tetons.

Smoking Grand Teton

Cloud over Mt. Moran

While roaming the area we came across some white pelicans, a beaver tree, and some more flowers to photograph in really good light.

Last night I seemed to have lost my Tilley Hat while having an early dinner. I checked the restaurant, and bathroom. Then I checked at the Lodge Registration. Nothing. Well this morning I checked all the places once again, and lo and behold someone had turned it in at the registration desk. I was one happy camper, as it is a great hat for shade as well as photography as the brim is flexible.

Hat has been Found

We were headed back to Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel for our last night, but we spent a long time getting there.

We visited the geyser basins once again on our way North from Teton N.P.  We had only about a 15 minute wait for the “show” but it turned out to be about 30 minutes later than predicted. We also visited the Great Fountain, White Dome, and Pink Cone geysers which all displayed a plume of water and steam. It was quite nice.

Pink Cone Geyser

Pink Cone Geyser

What Traffic?

Yellowstone Coach

White Dome Geyser

Once through the geyser basins, we headed out in search of wildlife once again in the Lamar Valley. We drove East of Cooke City in quest of moose. Once again, we came up empty. Bison were about and we got some herd pictures and solo shots. As this was the day before the full moon, the moon looked quite full and we photographed it as it rose over a ridge. at a “pit” stop along the way back to our Hotel. We saw a red fox up on a small knoll. We photographed it but it will be only a record of having seen it and sharing the experience.

Red Fox at 10:30 p.m.