It is that time of year for our annual spring trip to the Grand Tetons Mountains and Yellowstone Park. We arrived in the Grand Tetons on May 26th Saturday afternoon and was promptly greeted with a wintery mix of rain and slushy snow. We braved the damp, dreary weather to find wildlife but found none. The weather is dreary our spirits are not. We will be here for five days and the weather forecasts a lovely time in the park.
Sunday, May 27
We woke up to a 1 inch of white, fluffy snow blanketing the ground. We drove through the magical wonderland now looking a little foreign to us with this white stuff clinging to the evergreens. The snow was still coming down and we made our way through the park. Obviously the animals were hunkered down so we headed back to the trailer for lunch and a long nap.
We got dressed and made our way through the park, and again, the animals were a no-show. Our tummies were growling so we stopped at Dornans and I had a delicious pizza while Rick ate a great burger. Had it not been for the heavy overcast, we would have had a terrific view of the snow covered mountains. Since the weather was not cooperating, we drove to the city of Jackson Hole and walked amongst other tourists, doing touristy stuff like shopping for shirts and maybe a jacket. My Yellowstone jacket is getting worn, so a new on is on order this trip.
On the way back, the skies were darkening quick and big snowflakes were coming down fast. We spotted a small traffic jam and sure enough a young grizzly cub was feeding on grubs and roots. This cub is the descendant of the famed Grizzly sow #399. We first saw 399 with three cubs in the spring of 2006 on our very first visit. She charmed tourists from across the world.
In 2011, she gave birth to another set of triplets. However, one was separated from the pack late last year and ended up with a sow who had two cubs of her own-#610, 399's daughter from 2006. And then just recently, a boar separated mom from her remaining two cubs. One cub went one way the other one stayed near Colter Bay and that is who we discovered on this snowy evening. Rick tried out his new camera to see if the technical capabilities worked better with less light, as it is touted. Cold and more wet snow ended our stay and we headed back to the trailer.
Monday, May 28
We woke up to another inch or two of fresh snow on the ground but it was quickly melting. We got going and our first stop was to take photos of the snow landscape. Just as we finished, we saw a couple of cars parked in the same location we found the little cub the night before. We followed suit and took pictures of this little guy digging through soft snow looking for roots and grubs. After 40 minutes or so, we moved on to see the rest of the park.
At Moose Wilson Road, we came across a traffic jam I was not expecting. It was a great gray owl that everyone was after. We again followed suit with our cameras and as luck would have it, she flew off. With heavy gear on our shoulders we walk towards this large, majestic creature and finally have just enough time to snap off a few pics before she flew away again.
That afternoon, after a delicious lunch of BBQ chicken wings made by hubby dearest, we had a quick visit with the Newsoms. Earl and Carol Sue Newsom (friends from Wylie) try to meet up with us at least one or two days when we go to Yellowstone. They decided to stop by to say hello before heading on up to West Yellowstone. We see them in four days. No telling what adventure lies around the corner for us. There is always something! Last year it was a baby elk who sought refuge against our car tire in the middle of the road!
We head out looking for new sightings, so we pass up the disorderly bear jam that little guy near Colter Bay caused. It was a circus. I feel for the park rangers. People driving in the other lane to pass other cars in no-passing zones, tourists too close to the bear. We drive through the park and pull off onto a gravel road and we don't scare much up. Rick spots a Ruffed Grouse putting on a show. A couple of elk were grazing.
We take the obligatory drive up Signal Mountain. Found a female elk along the hillside that appeared to be ready to give birth. She was laying down but her belly was big! After coming down the mountain we learned of a bear jam with #610 and her three cubs (remember, one of those cubs belongs to her mother). We drove to the other end of the park only to miss some excitement. Apparently mom was attempting to get a moose calf for dinner. The failed attempt allowed the calf one more chance at a long life. but we never saw the four bears emerge.
We did have a little bit of luck down the road. We found a fox and followed her for about 30 minutes, finally getting some good shots as she came up the hill. It was dark and my photos prove that, but Rick's new camera should have done much better. We don't know yet because we haven't downloaded a software plug-in. And with limited Internet it will be a while before we see his photos.
Well, that is all for now. Tomorrow is another day!
No comments:
Post a Comment