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Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Yellowstone Lower Falls
In the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, an incredible vista overlooks the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. It has inspired many artists, including my favorite watercolor artist, Gunnar Widforss.
posted 12:08 PM
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Wolves of Lamar Valley
We sat out in a spot where members of the Druid Peak wolf pack often pass through. A few other wolf enthusiasts were out there with spotting scopes and binoculars. Soon after we set up our binocs, a lone black wolf approached. It loped along the Soda Butte Creek, past some pronghorns and a few bison. Then it crossed the stream and ran up a hill out of sight.  A storm started rolling in across the Absaroka Mountains, turning their browns to a misty grey. The clouds descended into the valley as the rain hit us.  Not twenty minutes later, a second black wolf came loping along. She walked close to a bison, who was having none of it. She playfully ran up to him, then backed off when he looked at her with no concern whatsoever. She ran down along Soda Butte Creek, farther down than her pack mate had. She passed the two pronghorns, too, and decided to chase them. The pronghorns ran, quickly outpacing her. She returned to her route, loping across the stream. In the middle of the water, though, she stopped, and began pouncing up and down. When she emerged on the other side, she clasped a tremendous fish in her jaws. She padded happily up the hill and out of sight like the pack mate.
posted 11:35 AM
Monday, July 21, 2008
Yellowstone National Park
We departed Grand Tetons National Park and drove north into Yellowstone National Park, that wild and wonderfully woolly place home to grizzlies, wolves, black bears, pronghorns, sandhill cranes, trumpeter swans and so much more. Most people come to Yellowstone to see the magnificent volcanic features -- the geysers, pools, and hot springs. The smell of volcanic activity was thick in the air through parts, and we continued north to Lamar Valley, the most fantastic place in the park.  on the way to Lamar Valley You know that scene in Snow White where she starts singing and all the birds and forest animals come out? Squirrels and birds and chipmunks? Well, getting out binoculars in Lamar Valley is the equivalent of Snow White bursting into song. Point your binocs to just about any spot, and you'll see wolves, grizzlies, bison, sandhill cranes, beavers, pronghorns, bighorn sheep and coyotes. It's incredible. 
Lamar Valley An elk carcasses was there our first day, with several grizzly bears vying for the meat. At last one victor remained and began eating his dinner, only to be beset by ten huge ravens. Every time he turned his head, a raven would swoop down on the other side and grab some meat. The grizzly was getting pretty frustrated, rearing up at the ravens. Then a lone wolf approached the kill, and the grizzly stood up on his hind legs, eyeing the wolf. The grizzly slammed down onto his forepaws, chuffing, and the wolf streaked off in the other direction.  Some amazing patches of Old Man's Whiskers (also known as Plumed Avens) grew along the trail. 
posted 1:58 PM
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Sunset at Jackson Lake
We watched a magnificent sunset over the lake, setting the water aglow. A breeze blew across from the jagged peaks, rippling the water slightly. A flock of pelicans flew low over the water, their wings almost touching the lake's surface as they glided away. 
posted 1:19 PM
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Grand Teton National Park
We've now driven north to Grand Teton National Park, where the spectacular, jagged peaks rise dramatically out of the flat plains. The wildflowers here are spectacular! Fields of gold, purple and pink amid the green of sagebrush.   We sat along the Snake River, hoping to spot otters. As we waited, a bear came swimming across the river, just his head and ears above the water. He got out on our side of the bank and shook himself off, a gorgeous brown-phase black bear. Then he loped off happily amid the sage brush. 
posted 6:48 PM
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Mysterious Popo Agie River
Just south of Grand Teton National Park rumbles the magnificent Popo Agie (pronounced po-po-zsha) River. Right now it roars by, all the glacial meltwater causing it to spill over its banks. The Popo Agie plunges into the yawning dark mouth of a cave, only to reemerge half a mile away. I watched as the churning white water vanished into the cave, then hiked to the point where it rises back to the surface. There plumes of mud in the clear water betrayed the force with which the water bursts forth from inside the earth.  A very cool spot!
posted 12:30 PM
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Rocky Mountain National Park
What a gorgeous park, full of snowcapped peaks, and numerous hikes through the alpine zone, up above the treeline. I watched a herd of elk crossing a snowfield. A baby with them was frolicking and leaping, sliding around on the snow and jumping up again, having a great time.  A yellow bellied marmot crawled up onto a sun-warmed rock and lay down, one elbow propped up under his chin. Pikas ran back and forth, stuffing their mouths full of greenery and darting back to their hiding places in nearby rock slopes.  Huge dark clouds billowed and formed above me as I stood at over 12,000 feet. But none turned into thunderstorms; they just drifted slowly over the high country.
posted 8:27 PM
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