I took a short drive the morning after...
Thanks for visiting, be well, and come back soon.
I took a short drive the morning after...
Thanks for visiting, be well, and come back soon.
The recent cold weather and fresh snow revealed the exciting possibility of an otter sighting on a small stream...
Otters leave distinctive tracks in snow due to their tendency to take a few steps and slide when the conditions are right...
Due to their mainly nocturnal activities, many don't realize that otters live practically in their backyards. The following are images that I was lucky enough to capture during the day...
I have encountered otters in large lakes and small farm ponds...
When there are more than one, it is usually a family group like the next images of an adult teaching the young to find food by turning over rocks in Pacific Creek...
They are very adept at catching fish and can hold their breath for up to eight minutes...
My favorite place to see them is on small creeks, where they are likely to be close enough for a decent photo...
It will require a great deal of luck, but I intend to keep looking for the one who left these tracks...
Thaks for visiting, be well, and come back soon.
This buck crossed the road just in front of me a few days ago...
It didn't take long to figure out what he was looking for...
Soon, the object of his search stood up...
I want to share this lovely photo taken by Sarah at the well-known Oxbow Bend turnout on the Snake River. It was near this vantage point that we first saw 399 in 2008. The beauty of this area can be breathtaking...
Upon our arrival in the park in 2018 we kept a close watch for 399 and the two cubs that she was reported to have birthed in 2016. We got our first glimpse of them near Colter Bay...
One summer I was talking to a family, none of whom had seen a grizzly bear. I mentioned that if they were patient, we were in a good position to see her "up close". A short time later she obliged us by wandering by at not more than 20 yards...
In 2018 another grizzly mom appeared with her cubs of the year (COY). This was bear 793, also called Blondie...
For fans of 399, the year 2020 was nothing short of amazing. This legendary bear, 24 years old at the time, came out of hibernation with four tiny cubs in tow.
Because we did not make our usual trip that year because of COVID-19 concerns we missed seeing the cubs, and the chaotic scene created by the record number of visitors.
We looked forward to our visit in 2021 and made our reservations as early as possible. On our first full day in the park word reached us that 399 was visible near Leaks marina, we headed that way, along with numerous others.
As often happens, 399 and cubs had just wandered out of sight in an easterly direction. Cheryl suggested that we explore the area at the end of Dump Road where we had seen her often in past years...
The games quickly stop when the scent of a boar is detected...