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Posted by Ballpark Frank (64.79.35.96) on 07:47:08 08/07/17
In Reply to: Yellowstone Shows Poorly posted by Paul
Paul,
You just didn't go far enough.
I led a small group out to some backcountry thermal features south of the Mud Volcano area. We had a great time. During our first half hour, we had to negotiate passage with a bull bison who was "guarding" the trail, we spotted a rather light-colored fox, and nearby, found a badger busy digging for whatever edible could be found in that rich dirt. Two ponds produced multiple flocks of geese, but with the geese hogging both ponds, we did not see the usual diversity of duck species we have come to expect on the northern pond.
We found evidence of recent violence perpetrated by one of the "locals" against a tree (see photo).
After our hike, we spent time at the Grizzly Overlook in Hayden Valley, where we saw wolf pups and several different elk herds that wandered out into the valley late in the day. I suspect the relative lack of visible critters during the day was due to their avoiding the heat by staying in the forest, in their daybeds. Of course, the bison, like Mad Dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun!
I was told by those in the know that the wolfers up north converged on the Slough Creek area, where the Junction Butte pack was enjoying a repast of bison.
I'm off to do some scouting for later in the week, involving osprey chicks and assorted other critters.
Ballpark
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