YELLOWSTONE!!! (Part I)

Our first trip to Yellowstone since our snow mobile trip in February was magical. In fact, it was epic! The photo ops were so plentiful, it's going to take two posts to get them all to you.

We were up early May 9th and on the road before 5:00 am! There was heavy fog in the valley as we made our way to Jackson.

It was very quiet in town at that hour!

The Tetons, beginning to wake up, as the sun hit them.

The elk were already awake! And they were EVERYWHERE! We hadn't seen so many elk on any of our previous drives.

Bison at the Moran Entrance to the GTNP

Oxbow Bend

More elk at Willow Flats -

We saw Holllywood (a local elk that apparently likes to have his photo taken) grazing by Signal Mountain Lodge, where he is frequently spotted. It's always a special day when we get the chance to photograph this amazing bull elk. He's got a good start on his antlers, but he's still wearing his winter coat!

Signal Mountain Lodge advertised opening on May 9th. We stopped by to have breakfast and there was a sign on the door . . . Opening on May 9th. YAY!!! But, no one was in sight and the doors were locked. We headed on down the road. Signal Mountain Lodge may have opened on May 9th, but they sure didn't tell any one what time on May 9th!

Elk along the way.

More elk in Willow Flats -

Driving past Flagg Ranch on our way to Yellowstone's South Entrance.

We arrived the entrance to Yellowstone at about 8:00 am, after an action packed photo safari through the Grand Teton National Park. (We had stopped at the Colter Bay General Store and found some coffee and snacks to hold us until we could find lunch further up the road.) We sat in the queue at the entrance for about 20 minutes, until they finally opened the Park. Like Signal Mountain Lodge, they had advertised that they would open on May 9th, they just didn't tell anyone what time.

Driving North.

May 9th and look at that snow pack!

Lake Yellowstone was still mostly frozen.

Bison -

The Yellowstone River -

We saw a couple of yellow bellied marmots, sunning themselves on the boulders by the River.

We left this one in peace, to enjoy his view of the River.

The always beautiful Hayden Valley -

Juvenile Bald Eagle -

Odd companions -

A couple of ravens were finishing off whatever had died in the meadow.

The Yellowstone River

Lake Yellowstone is the largest body of water in the Park. At 7,732 feet above sea level, it covers 136 square miles and has 110 miles of shoreline.

The Upper Falls of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone -

Here comes trouble!

A bison jam!

They're teaching those little "red dogs" who's boss and who has the right-of-way!

Dunraven Pass hasn't opened, yet. In order to get to the Lamar Valley, we had to turn left at Canyon and head toward Norris. Then we turned right, heading toward Mammoth Hot Springs.

At Mammoth Hot Springs

We didn't stop in Mammoth, but kept going toward the Lamar Valley. Along the way, we noticed a crowd of people at Blacktail Pond. We had been there before and watched a grizzly bear as it left the area, having feasted on a carcass that had fallen victim to the deep and muddy waters of the pond. This particular day, there was a carcass partially submerged in the water. It was a bison that had drowned. We decided to hang out for a little while to see if anything came in for dinner.

About an hour and a half later, a beautiful cinnamon black bear came down from a hilltop across the road. We watched as it made it's way to the bison.

To see these photos larger, simply click on each of them.

VIEWER WARNING!!! GRAPHIC CONTENT OF A BEAR EATING.

It spent a nervous 20 minutes feeding on what was left of the animal, frequently looking up and behind him. Black bears are not the apex predators in Yellowstone . . . grizzly bears are. This bear knew it was only a matter of time before a hungry grizzly bear showed up and it did not want to be caught in a compromising position.

It rested for a little bit . . .

Then headed back up the hill.

But it did stop for a quick dip. It no doubt needed a bath after THAT dinner.

After the quick clean-up, the bear headed back across the road and up the hill.

Next to visit the site was a coyote.

It, too, was very cautious and checked the surroundings frequently.

Eventually, another coyote caught wind of the bison buffet and began to approach the pond.

You can see both coyotes in the shot below, along with the carcass.

Unsure of the new coyotes intention, this one appeared very concerned and even submissive, look at it's tail between it's legs. (Should I stay or should I go?) Meanwhile, a juvenile bald eagle flew past to check out the menu.

The new coyote veered off and did not interrupt the coyotes meal. But, it was not long after that, maybe 20 minutes, that the coyote headed back across the meadow and out of sight.

A vulture soon appeared and took possession of the carcass.

Soon, a raven showed up and gave the vulture a tug on some wing feathers. The vulture flew at the raven and they exchanged threats and insults until the raven relented and left the vulture with the kill.

After spending hours at the pond and not driving any farther into the Lamar, we left the action and headed toward Mammoth, on our way to Gardiner, Montana, for the night.

Elk in Gardiner have the right-of-way.

We hd a delicious dinner at Wonderland Cafe and checked into the hotel. It had been a long day and we made plans to go back to Blacktail Pond before daylight the next morning to see what was left of the bison and what might show up for a nibble.

Part II to follow soon.

Love, Barbara & Don