Couldn’t sleep a wink the night before so we didn’t get out until 7am. We decided we would visit West Yellowstone today, but first made our way from Mammoth through the east loop going as far as we can before the road closes towards Roosevelt. The sky was blue and the sun bright. An absolutely glorious morning!
We saw the typical bison and elk and came to the road closure turned around heading back. I saw “something” and asked Rick to turn around and just as he was gloating “I told you that was as stump,” a coyote emerged right next to that stump, the stump I had him turn around for. I guess I got lucky on that one and teased him that I saw the coyote the whole time.
We watched our first coyote of the season make his way through Blacktail Lakes coming along the ponds. Got some good captures of him sailing through the air and chomping on his morning meal. He wasn’t too close but I think what unfolded next offered an overall picture of Mother Nature at work. He walked along the edge of the bank and found a treasure trove of eggs and devoured them like a kid digging into chicken nuggets on a buffet line. We watched as the helpless ruddy ducks, geese and other water fowl honked and called out and swam in circles in an attempt to distract him but it was much too late.
As this was going on a sand hill crane flew in from the south. I took a couple of shots but what transpired next was hilarious. I didn’t think to bring the video camera out, but I think the long distance wouldn’t have done it justice. This poor crane was harassed over and over again by a black bird. Mostly the one gal was nagging at him but then a second would come in and sometimes a brown bird. Then the geese had to honk at him and scoot him on his way. Watching this big lanky bird dodge and duck from his attacker was the most ungraceful yet hilarious sight.
I could have watched this area all day long but West Yellowstone was calling, we hadn’t had breakfast, you know. So as we are heading down the west loop, we see some folks who tell us a large grizzly was heading from the South Twin Lakes to the North. We hoped back in our Jeep and we both found spots and set up and got some nice shots while sharing stories.
Back on the road and now more hungry than ever, we didn’t eye anything passed the Twin Lakes other than bison and elk. But that’s okay, we filled up on a delicious breakfast at Outpost and headed back home for nap. Not before stopping to see four baby lambs in Mammoth. We got front row and center as these babies and their moms stepped out from the river onto the road. Even got one nursing. Not too bad on this glorious day!
This evening we were able to access Lamar Valley after being closed since last Saturday due to a rock slide. It was fairly quiet visitor wise and animal wise. We saw a large Grizzly on a hill, some big horn sheep and a badger. That was about it! Off to sleep for another exciting day in Paradise Park.
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