Sept 8, Tue – day 33
West Yellowstone, Montana
Weather-low 27 (-2C) to high 60s (19C) clear



With the domestic chores finished and feeling rested we ventured into the park to see what surprises it held for us today.



There were elk, of course, and we found an osprey fishing. We stopped to get in position for a shot and it flew up the river, down the river, up the river, down the river. It was looking for its next meal, we knew we had a chance for a shot….oh boy!!! Once more it flew up the river, but a little farther this time, out of sight, so we got back into the Red Rocket thinking our chances were used up this time. Just as we were half into the car the dang thing flew down back down stream (with its lunch firmly in its talons) and before we could focus our cameras, it was out of sight. Oh well, maybe next time.



As we pulled back onto the road we were greeted by two bison and a park ranger leading a 30-car procession. Bison have the right-of-way where ever they go in the park…I’m sure not many people would question that rule. I got some quick shots, people were being warned not to stop their cars, and we are on our way.



Our days’ destination was Mammoth Hot Springs and with the current road closures it’s a much longer drive from West Yellowstone to Mammoth….120 miles instead of 49 miles. When we realized the change in mileage we decided we’d go as far as seemed comfortable and if we didn’t make it all the way to Mammoth that was ok.



We didn’t see anything to write home about (or at least in the blog) until we reached the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. We both took several shots of the lower falls, and chatted with some of the other photographers that were there. Up the road a spell we saw a nice four point deer, then a set of triplet fawns, and a couple of hawks, which I thought were ravens….I’ll never live that one down :O). Racine got some close-up shots of one of the hawks, but we still don’t know for sure what type of hawk they were. Pressing on to Mammoth we found one of the local elk herds blocking traffic, right in the center of town, and the ever present (usually) park rangers were busy keeping people a safe distance away.



We passed up the elk herd, (it was a bit too congested to get any shots) turned and headed for home, traveling the westerly route toward Sheep Eaters Cliffs and the Obsidian Cliffs. We were hoping that we’d see some wolves or grizzly bear in this area. It was getting on into late afternoon/early evening and we thought our chances were fairly good. There wasn’t a bear to be seen and we had no clue where the wolves had gone to, BUT we were pleasantly surprised by a huge bull elk. This was the second bull with a six point, royal rack, that we’d seen this trip. It was decorated with some grass and weeds….we figured he might have been taking out his frustration on the local foliage. The bull put on a performance for some 15 or so spectators before it ambled off into the thick, regenerating forest. Hey…if we can’t have bear or wolves a bull elk with a royal rack will do just fine!



It was getting close to dark and we were already seven hours into our ‘day trip’.
We turned at Norris and started the 14-mile segment of the route to Canyon Village, moments later we saw cars parked along the roadway and cameras everywhere ….oh boy an animal jam….this means action. Ha, ha…. not quite. Seems the Park Rangers put the carcass of an elk down in a meadow to lure scavengers into the area. With all the commotion (horns beeping from locked cars, kids crying, people talking) the only creatures I saw were the people….lots of cameras though. Oh well….on we go.



As we made the turn at Canyon Village to head south, the countryside exploded with elk. Two big bulls, one with a dozen cows in its harem on one side of the road and the other bull with at least two cows and some calves on the other side of the road. Both bulls were running around bugling, herding their cows and doing a lot of posturing associated with the rutting season….what a sight. We watched until the light faded….cars, people, cameras, and elk all remained in their own space and everything was quiet. It was really dark, not good for shooting wildlife, so we, along with the other watchers, headed for home. We couldn’t resist one short stop along the way to take a shot of the almost full moon. Finally we made it home after a ten-hour day….tired but not exhausted. The adventure continues….



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