Sept 18-Fri-day 43
West Yellowstone, Montana
Weather-low 35 (2C) to high 80s (32C) partly sunny



It was a relaxing morning and then we headed out in the afternoon to try and catch the evening light.



The Madison elk put in an appearance, but a long distance away, so we headed up the Firehole to look for our young osprey. Hooray…..there it was, with a fish! We felt like applauding. At least we know it survived the other day, even if yesterday was marked with five continuous dives and no meal. We took several shots, however its back was to us (not the best of positions) so we moved up the valley.



On our last trip we noticed the bison population seemed to have grown in the Firehole area. As we approached Firehole Lake Drive there were three Park Rangers, with their vehicle lights flashing, and several other Rangers were out moving traffic along, while a herd of bison crossed the road (mostly). We passed the main group of bison (only took some quick shots out the window) and turned into the Firehole Lake Drive, to be followed by one of the Park Rangers, so rather than stopping we just kept moving along. We didn’t miss much, there was a single bison just past the entrance to the drive posing for photos. A little further on I sighted one that decided it needed a dust bath….oh good, what a performance it put on and there was good light too!



Not much else in the way of animals as we finished the drive (loop) and headed back toward the herd of bison that were crossing the main road. All were gone from the road, they had moved 100 yards off into the fields, so we trucked on to Old Faithful.



Cars were stopped at several places along the way to Old Faithful, more bison sightings. Not much was happening in the way of animals in the Old Faithful area, so we took advantage of the good evening light and took some scenery shots (nothing lacking in there).



On the way home we checked for the young osprey again. Yup… still on the same limb, still eating on the same fish (it was a big one). The light wasn’t as good as earlier, but the bird had turned towards us so we took a few shots.



We left the bird, still eating its’ fish, and headed to the Madison and home. All the elk were in the shadows and still far from the road. It looked like the end of another day….wait, no….cars were parked off the road on one of the turn offs so we swung in to check things out. It was only two bison across the river drinking….no, what’s this, it’s the young eagle flying down the river, and making noises like it wants to be fed. It lands on the side hill across the river, 60 feet up the bank. Racine is shooting the bison when one of the parent eagles grabs a fish and flies by right in front of her. All she noticed was a blur in front of her lens, but when we get home and she reviewed her photos she’s in shock. She managed to get the eagle, the fish, and the bison all in one shot and in pretty good focus….WOW (you’ve just got to love the multiple shot feature on the digital cameras!) The parent landed near the young eagle and the young one grabbed the fish (sorry no lucky shots of this event).



What a way to end the day, you just never know what you will see and as we drove off into the soon to be sunset. we saw another bull elk on a grassy hill 400 yards away with at least two cows. The adventure continues….



To see more of 'The Great Adventure 2009' images click HERE