Sept 23, Wed - day 48
West Yellowstone, Montana
Weather - low 32 (0C) to high of mid 70s (24C) clear and sunny



Racine knew that once Heidi and I got into the car we would probably be out till dark, so she decided to take a break from roaming through the park and let the two of us be adventurers for the day. We left before dawn and made it to Yellowstone Lake just after the sun topped the mountains on the east side of the lake. We pulled over, double checked our equipment, took a few shots and then continued down the road. As we passed Lake Village a large bull elk was herding his harem at the edge of the meadow. It was still quite cool and we were able to photograph the hot steam spewing from its’ nostrils.



A little later, Heidi spotted two Blue Grouse (we are pretty sure they were Blues not Spruce Grouse) and we both took some shots. While shooting we were joined by another photographer, Jeff, from Arizona. About 25 cars passed us while we were shooting the Blues. They would stop and ask what it was we saw, and after finding we were only looking at birds, they disgustedly moved on. (I guess some people don’t think birds count for much when they can see big game.) After a lengthy chat with Jeff, we all moved on to our next adventure.



As we rolled into Mammoth we noticed the elk had vanished. We chatted with the Rangers and found out why the situation had changed: the weather was too hot, so the elk moved to the campground just below Mammoth (down the hill). Off we went in search of the elk and on our way we saw an antelope and then some big horn sheep (first time I’d been this close to sheep in the park…wow, how good can it get!).



We found the elk, they were happily, and coolly, lounging around several camping units. As we drove past them we saw the bull, just a few feet off the road….Heidi got some awesome close-ups. We hadn’t seen the park Ranger when we entered into the campground, however, when we paused for a photo we realized they were there as we were loudly told to keep moving…so on we went. When we rounded the end of the campground there was another bull, much smaller, coming down the hill, apparently headed for the campground area. We didn’t see or hear any battles between the bulls so the smaller one must have gone further down the hill to the river…smart move on his part. We stopped and parked above the campground and watched the big bull get up and coral a couple of cows that had strayed and we got a few more shots. It was nice that the bull stopped in the sunlit areas so we could get some good shots.



We looked in another area of Mammoth, near the hot springs, didn’t see any animals or birds so we headed for Indian Creek Campground, hoping for the possibility of grizzly bear or wolf sightings. None,…and the campground had closed down for the season (could this mean the snow and 40 below weather was coming…ugh!). We passed meadows, the Obsidian Cliffs, and Norris, and then we turned and headed for Canyon Village and on towards the Mt Washburn area, where we searched for the eight grizzlies that were seen there earlier today (We weren’t meaning to be greedy, even one would be just fine!). The grizzlies had been working their way to the White Bark Pine trees that produce the much valued pine nuts the bears eat in preparation for the winter. No bears for us today….a bit discouraged, we headed for home.



On the way we encountered the usual bison/car jams, elk/car jams. It was just an hour before sunset, we were getting close to home, and when we crossed the bridge at the west end of the Madison meadows there were elk and people everywhere; the bridge had standing room only. A large bull had crossed the river and had entered into the general vicinity of a smaller bull, with two cows and two calves. We pulled over to watch and during the next 45 minutes saw some amazing interactions and posturing between these animals. The event ended when the larger bull ran the smaller bull back across the river and claimed the two cows as his own. As for people, this was probably the largest crowd that I’ve seen at any one place watching the animals.



WOW, another full day, we headed for home and the adventure continues….



To see more of our Yellowstone National Park images click HERE