Sept 29, Canyon Wolf Pack Sighted

Today we spotted the alpha female of the Canyon wolf pack in the Hayden Valley. You meet the most interesting people when you watch for wolves, they come from near and far, and live for the moment to watch a wolf cross an open valley nearly a mile away. They are generous, more than willing to share a look through their high powered spotting scopes. For some its an addiction, they come every year - but you can't blame them - its amazing to watch the wolves and to see Yellowstone returned to it's complete self.

There have been lots of other animals we've sighted, several black bears, coyotes, elk and bison by the herd. Today we heard about a Grizzly that came out behind a bunch of photographers who nearly missed the chance to photograph him.




Volcanic activity permeates Yellowstone ... geysers, hot springs, vents.

Bison rule the roads ... you have to yield to them, unless you want your car full of dents.
Mammoth Hot Springs with its own herd of elk ... no they are not tame.

Sept 27 - Wolf Pack

Today was a special day, we had our first glimpse of a yellowstone wolf pack - The Druids. Although they were far away, across the Lamar Valley floor we were non-the-less excited to see part of Yellowstone's successful wolf story in action. We could see 4 wolves, a pup, his baby sitter and 2 others (a black and a grey) who came back in from the mountains as we watched.

Today we also watched a herd of Bighorn (Rocky Mountain) Sheep navigate the steep flanks of Mount Washburn. In the Lamar Valley we watched pronghorns grazing. And in the nearby forest we caught a few glimpses of a wary moose.

Sept 27 Yellowstone - Forest Fires

There are 3 fires burning in Yellowstone - the parks approach to forest fires is to "let them run there course" ... it seems strange but it has a scientific method to it. Fires allowed to burn create natural firebreaks and new habitats for different animals. Also if the fires were continually put out then over the years the dead wood would reach a critical amount and they could end up with a huge devastating fire.

Sept 27, Lamar Valley - Yellowstone

We spent the day in the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone and the surrounding mountains. There are

hundreds of wild bison there and watching them you feel like you stepped back in time 200 years ... when countless herds roamed the plains. These are entirely wild and not to be crowded - they have nasty tempers and the brute strength to support it. Then again you can't blame them they have to cope with wolves, grizzlies and coyotes ohhhh and tourists too.

Sept 26, Yellowstone

Finally we arrived at Yellowstone this morning, only to discover theres several forestfires ! Thankfully we managed to get to the part of the park we wanted to spend time in before the road was closed. It was a searing 87 degrees farenheit ... not at all a good temperature to see wildlife. Yet still North America's Serengetti didn't let us down - Lamar Valley was filled with herd upon herd of wild bison and pronghorn antelope. Madison and Mammoth Hot Springs both had elk and off the beaten path we found Mountain goats and Bighorn Sheep.

Sept 25, Baby Black Bear

This lil guy was so fun to watch as he busily prepared for winter feasting on wild berries.

Sept 24, Waterton and Glacier

Where the prairies meet the Rockies - Waterton and Glacier are filled with wildlife and scenery.

The rocky slopes provide refuge for Bighorn (Rocy Mountain) Sheep and Mountain Goats. Both are as at ease on the nearly vertical slopes as we are in our kitchen.

Mule deer and black bear live on the gentler slopes, not so high in the mountains. But just as beautiful to watch.

Sept 23,2009 Falls,Glaciers n Mountains

The Columbia Ice Fields ... a spectacular mix of Falls, Glaciers, Lakes and Mountains. Its hard to drive any distance wihout taking more pics!

Sept 22, Battle of the Bulls

Its the time of year that the bull elk battle for dominence. We were fortunate enough to be able to watch 2 different battles today!





Later in the day we watched as a coyote pup practiced his hubting skills on mice in the tall grasses of the valley floor.







A hike onto just the flanks of the Palisades range makes for an exciting afternoon climb ... and it was a balmy 28 deg celcius!!!

sept 21 Babies n Buglers

Bighorn Sheep, agile as if they were on level ground inhabit the cliffs outside of the town of Jasper. The lambs are still playful and leap from one rock ledge to another.













The sounds of elk bugling carry across the valley floor and if you seek them out you can be in for quite a show! The big bulls strut their stuff and drive off any contenders and the ever present coyotes.

Sept 21, Who's Town is it Anyhow?

Jasper has a flavor all its own ... you go to sleep to the sound of elk bugling and traffic stops for the original residents ... the elk and big horn sheep, that is. People here seem to remember that we are the guests and that the animals were here first.

Sept 20, Grizzlies n Glaciers

Today we drove from Banff to Jasper, with about 500 stops for picture taking. The highlight of the day was a hike into the back country behind Morraine Lake. 3 kilometers in we came out of the forest to a spectacular view of an emerald lake nestled in a mountain pass and oh ... a grizzly!!!

She was busy rolling boulders aside so we had lots of time to take pics of her. At a smaller scale we were welcomed by a ground squirrel ... he seemed quite pleased we weren't the grizzly.

After there we were off to drive through the Columbia ice fields, where glaciers of 1000 year old ice flow through high mountain passes. The scenery is simply jaw dropping!