We were headed to Yellowstone on Rt 191, North of Jackson Hole just past Moose Junction. I had been cursing at the IPad and Weebly because while Terry drove, I had been writing and posting my last blog which somehow disappeared, and I had to start over. It was just publishing when I looked up at this very busy 2-lane highway and saw a young wolf walk into our lane, sniff the pavement and then walk across the next lane. Thank God Terry could slow enough not to hit him and that no one was coming the other direction! I will confess that I can't be 100% sure it wasn't a young coyote (it was definitely not an adult), because it all happened so quickly. (And I have no idea the gender, but I'm calling him a male for acting so recklessly.). My first thought was, wow his coat is so beautifully white (with some speckled colors on his back). My second thought was, what is he doing here alone (I didn't see others but perhaps they were in the high grass on the other side of the road). And frankly my third thought was, why was I messing with this d@$# blog, I could have gotten some photos and a better look! As it turned out, my Canon Rebel with telephoto lens was in my hands within 45 seconds, but all I got were unfocused tail shots heading into tall grass. This moment was thrilling, frustrating, puzzling and humbling all at the same time. It ramains etched in my mind as one of my favorite wildlife sightings.
Rather than camp in Yellowstone that night, we had been told about some free sites outside the park, within a few miles, on Grassy Creek Rd. There are 8 campgrounds here (many with only 1-2 sites) that are run by NPS. There are no fees collected but there are vault toilets, bearproof food lockers and bearproof garbage cans, a fire ring and picnic table. We were fortunate enough to find a site in Campground #2 which only has 2 sites. What a beautiful spot!!!! We had a fabulous view of the Snake River and a nearby bank lodge for beavers (we saw 3). Our picnic table had a view of mountains and tall grassy fields. We drove the car into the park Yellowstone that afternoon for wildlife watching, and the next day moved into Grant Campground inside the park. We biked the Fountain Flat Rd. This is labeled as a primitive bike trail which only means it's not paved but cinder and finely crushed gravel. It's flat and passes some great views of the Nez Perce Creek. After 3 miles, we parked our bikes and hiked 1.6 miles to Fairy Falls. In the beginning we were disappointed to see so many people along this hiking trail, but it's hard to get away from people here unless you get a backcountry wilderness permit. In the end, they all left when we were at the falls so we changed into suits and took a very, very cold (and quick) dip...how exhilarating!
The next day we hiked Storm Point around Yellowstone Lake and also hiked Elephant Back. In addition, we drove around the park and in total for the 3 days here, these are our wildlife sightings:
NOTE: for the Canada Geese, ducks and buffalo, often there were too many to count so here are my best guesses.
1 wolf pup
403 buffalo
101 Canada Geese
8 Sandhill Cranes
3 deer
2 Elk
20 squirrels
3 beaver
14 chipmunks
10 Swans
6 Osprey
1 blue Heron
139 Ducks (Mergansers and other varieties - birds aren't my speciality)
5 crows and 4 Ravens
1 Northern Harrier, 1 Red Tail + 4 Hawks of undetermined species
Here I have to add that this looks like a laundry list, but is so much more to me. For example, when I spotted the female elk in the woods of a trail that isn't advertised as a wildlife trail, and when she stared at us unmoving and we stared back, it was a magical moment for me - not just another tick on my animal list. Much like the moment Terry, while driving slowly down Grassy Creek Rd spotted the graceful and beautiful 4 Sandhill Cranes flying over the creek behind our car, and I turned around to see the whites of their backs soaring. Yes, sometimes when I tried to count another flock of geese, it felt rather ho-hum, but I am constantly in awe of God's kingdom and the beauty and majesty of what our forefathers saw fit to preserve - they made wise choices as we celebrate the national parks 200th birthday this year! ( 8/25/1916 Woodrow Wilson signed into law the Protection and Preservation of 408 sites throughout the country - our National Park Service.). I hope many of you can get out and enjoy these great spaces.