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Ok, so I love winter; why else would I venture to Yellowstone in January? Of course, there is no bad time to visit Yellowstone, including winter. In fact, it might be the best season to visit the park. And, I convinced five other men from western Iowa and Omaha to join me.
Before going into the park, I spent some time northwest of Gardiner, MT in the Gallatin National Forest. A herd of Bighorn Sheep was grazing above the gravel road. I took my time and approached this ewe in a round-about route, letting her get used to my presence.
Several days later, I photographed a ram in the Lamar Valley. The previous day, several rams had been at the top of the bluff. Driving by the first time this day, we scouted the top of the bluff but saw no rams. Returning along the same route fifteen minutes later, two vehicles were parked at the base of the hill. We still could not see the ram up on the hill.
As I pulled up, one vehicle drove off. I stopped to talk to the other driver to ask if he had seen the ram. Ok, so it was right outside our window - at eye level! That doesn't say much for my ability to spot wildlife.
We booked a private snow coach trip with Carl Swoboda of Safari Yellowstone and spent three days in the interior with over-night stays at Old Faithful. Conditions were beautiful on the second day. Fresh snow blanketed the interior and clouds gave way and offered a nice blue sky. Frost had accumulated on the trees near water features for numerous days. This provided a nice background to a herd of Bison walking along the Firehole River.
Carl took us through Hayden Valley on the third day. We saw one other person, a park ranger, during the first 4 1/2 hours . I enjoyed the silence at every stop. Coyotes were plentiful and in prime condition, probably due to the fairly mild winter in the park.
All good things must come to an end and our time in Yellowstone was over; well as least for this trip. Before leaving Gardiner, I was able to photograph a Common Raven in a crabapple tree, right by our motel.
But the trip was not over yet. It only takes about 1 1/2 days to make the drive home. That left time to swing through the Badlands in South Dakota. I was fortunate enough to see my first Bobcat in the wild. It was a great experience and we watched it for 1/2 hour. Mostly, it sat quietly by a prairie dog tunnel entrance, waiting for a meal.
I had a great time and had great companions. I wonder if I can commute to work from Gardiner, MT??
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