Tuesday June 5 Yellowstone

We started the day late, which means bear and wolf sightings were not likely. However, history has proven that we typically find something else worth observing. Today was no different.

Before even entering the park, we found a mother pronghorn with two babies! We had heard about her but hadn’t seen her until now. She and her babes posed perfectly for me.

About 9:30, Rick spots a quick moving fox headed straight for us. She has something in her mouth - breakfast! A closer look reveals she has a ground squirrel. We try our best to photograph her but she is moving too quickly and soon scurried up the hill.

We mosey down the road and watch as hundreds of bison make their way through Lamar Valley. I would say there were 500, maybe more as they dotted the valley and ridges beyond. The little red doggies were either sleeping or bothering mom for breakfast. That’s what lil’ doggies do!

 

As we watch the bison, Rick’s eye catches something moving through the bushes just in front of us. "A badger," he exclaims! I whip my camera around and try to get this guy in full frame but he is too fast. We follow a bit on foot but all we are getting are butt shots. So we move down a bit to get in front of the badger, get set up and sure enough, he crosses the road, runs up a hill out of sight!

We stop at a picnic area close to the east entrance in hopes to find a weasel. Instead we found several ground squirrels. This one put on a show for me.

After a quick run through Hayden Valley were nothing has come to life, we drove down to Sedge Bay which is on the north shore of Lake Yellowstone. Looking for otter and grizzly, we find nothing. Just as we turn around to head back home, I spot a male deer. I got a great shot of him. I’ve never seen deer that close to Lake Yellowstone and this year we have seen three dozen or so. More than we have ever seen in our visits.

Nothing catches our eye as we head back home except for the two mating black bear. They are further out but we took photos anyway since they were out in the wide open, unlike the day before when they hid behind fallen trees and brush. Lol

We stayed in for the rest of the evening due to heavy winds. Using the long lenses we have do not produce good results in overcast skies and heavy wind. So, with three more days left, we hope to find a grizzly or two!!