Sept 12, Sat - day 37
West Yellowstone, Montana
Weather - low 27 (-3C) to high 60s (20C) clear



After a good day yesterday, we are a little more tired than we had imagined so we sleep in and left at sunrise. There is just NO way we could pass up photo ops and our plan to avoid the Madison and Firehole area due to darkness is out the window.



So we took advantage of all opportunities that presented themselves which included the big elk herd in the Madison Valley and with all the photographers sneaking around. By the time we got to the Firehole it was still cold enough to get some steamy thermal shots. We haven’t seen any frost covered bison yet this year, but it seems like the possibilities are increasing.



As we moved through the Firehole we noticed that some bison were starting migrate into the area, we’ve seen just a few more each day. The Firehole is the bison’s wintering grounds, the warmth from the thermal areas and the easy food source attracts them there.



Then I thought I saw some coyotes….no, I take a second look and wow was I wrong! There was a pair of Sandhill Cranes, in a small meadow, close to the road, quietly grazing on the grass. A quick turn just down the road brought us back to the scene and into a good position for shooting. We’ve never been able to get this close to these birds before and it was a real treat to have them just stay there and pose for us.



At the east end of the Firehole system is Old Faithful and we stopped by as there is always something going on there….yep, bison and people and thermal activity. We took a few shots and since it was still early we moved on up the road towards the two pass area, one just over 8100 feet and the next almost 8300 feet. Bear county….just none showing themselves. So on we went down the road, we checked areas that were familiar and explored some places we hadn’t been.



The Hayden Valley bison have moved out of the valley and are migrating through Fishing Village, some have even made their way into Lake Village. In the Hayden Valley we saw a coyote, we’re fairly sure it was the one saw a few days ago in nearly the same place. A few shore birds, ducks and geese and some people fishing is all we saw as we neared Canyon Village.



Well, lets see, there were a couple of overlooks into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone that we hadn’t been too. Investigation was in order….a privilege I inherited as Racine and heights are not the best of friends. Since the observation areas were 800 to 1.200 feet above the Canyon the view is awesome….but a bit too high for my comfort, I inched down some steps to get a shot or two…snap, snap and I return to the parking lot. When I reach the top of the steps I notice a sign that told of the 100 feet of observation platform that dropped into the Canyon floor in 1975 after a 6.1 earthquake rocked the area. Now that was reassuring. Oh, and the Canyon sits on a major fault line….now I feel lots better. :0(



On we went towards Mammoth. We stopped along the way at Tower for lunch and enjoyed the fall colors that were just beginning to show. At Mammoth we took the five mile, one way, road to Gardiner….the old road, dusty, slow, and full of wonderful sights. Butterflies, moths, prickly pear cactus, sage, crickets, and finally we saw our first antelope. Not as close as last year, but what a sight.



Then it was back to Mammoth and the elk herds. Elk, Mammoth, and Park Rangers are synonymous with lots of action and photo ops and there was no change today. Three elk herds reside in the area and the bulls were bugling, the cows were moving and the Rangers were barking into their bullhorns. We found a spot to take it all in and then headed home via Indian Creek Campground and Sheepeater Cliffs, thinking of the possibility of a grizzly or wolf sighting. Not today, and not much other wildlife in the area as we rounded into Norris, Canyon Village, and headed home.



We arrived in the Fountain Flat area of the Firehole just after sunset and trucked on. Now too dark for any animal shots, we got into the long line of autos headed for West Yellowstone and arrived home 14 hours after our 6:00am start. It was a long, full day and enjoyable day....and I think we’ll sleep in tomorrow. The adventure continues….



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