American White Pelicans are often seen on the lakes, ponds and streams of Yellowstone...
Checking the "Range Map" in the Audubon app reveals that the Yellowstone ecosystem is in their breeding range...
Another large white bird found on Yellowstone's waterways is the Trumpeter Swan...
The swans in the following photos are believed to be among a group of recently released juveniles, meant to bolster their numbers in traditional breeding areas...
One evening, just before dark, we encountered this wolf in the Hayden Valley...
It was not far from the road and was getting lots of attention from motorists, and small rodents...
Judging from its movements the wolf seemed to be hunting something small in the sedge...
Wyoming Ground Squirrels are plentiful and sought after by coyotes, fox, badgers, wolves, weasels, eagles, snakes and hawks...
Bison appeared to be arriving in the grassy meadows daily...
We found this group moving through early morning fog along the Yellowstone River...
Bison and Brown-headed Cowbirds have a symbiotic relationship. The bison offers a mobile feeding station to the birds...
The Cowbirds help rid the bison of parasites...
This bison stands by, ready to answer questions...
As the rut progresses the bulls begin to challenge each other to test their strength, and for breeding rights...
They become more aggressive when making their wallows as well...
Usually bison seem complacent, even docile. During the rut they can quickly go from this...
To this...
Beginning a dust bath...
It is thought that dust baths aid in parasite control and may signal their status as a potential mate; the bigger the dust cloud the bigger, and more desirable, the bull...
Crossing the river with ease at the Mary Mountain trailhead...
Then comes the "shake-off"...
Healthy, adult bison are not easy for wolves to bring down. Injured adults and calves are another story....
Look at the next two photos. Is it instinct or mimicry...
This one has mostly shed her heavy winter coat...
The one in the next photo has a bit more coat to be rid of...
Located a little North of Slough Creek, this Osprey nest has been active on each of our visits beginning in 2007...
Based on its size, I would speculate that the nest could have been built by Bald Eagles...
We were in the Hayden Valley when this wolf was returning to the den site near Alum Creek...
Seeing a wolf in the wild is the stuff of dreams. Seeing it up close takes the trip to an even higher level...
We had enough time to drive to Yellowstone Lake to see if any grizzlies were visible. Not only were they visible, but there were bears on both sides of the road. This one on the South side...
And this one on the North side...
Whenever bears are visible, there are certain to be tourists...
When it gets crowded at a wildlife jam it can be hard to get a clear view. Patience is the key. They will move in due time...
When we started back to the campground Cheryl spotted bears at the water's edge. She skillfully found an opening that avoided the other folks, and allowed her to shoot through the obstructing trees, to capture this pair...
Bears and wolves are fun to see and photograph, but don't lose sight of the smaller critters. This is a young Wyoming Ground Squirrel, barely as large as my finger...
As I get older, I realize that road trips across the country may soon be a thing of the past. That thought makes each opportunity valuable.
Thanks for visiting, be well, and come back soon.
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