Discussion Forum

yes every time you drive up or down from Tower a new black bear pops up - another black bear with 2 cubs appeared just the other day behind the Roosevelt lodge - it was crazy all month there

Statistics: Posted by Marcy — Fri Jun 15, 2018 8:28 pm

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Rik, good job on those bears! I sure wish I could do half as well as you.

Statistics: Posted by lah — Tue Jun 12, 2018 10:11 pm

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Thanks Paula! The water levels were just as everyone said. Some of the picnic tables at Nez Perce were essentially out in the river.
We saw three water crossings, 2 with Bison (2 adults crossing the Yellowstone near Alum Creek and 4 adults and 2 red dogs across the Madison - a little hairy but they made it ok!) The other was an Elk mom and her calf crossing the Lamar at the Confluence. Mom made it but the baby was swept downstream. It bounced off one shore and finally made it to the other, but on the wrong side of the confluence and probably about 1/4 mile from where Mom was. Fingers crossed they got back together.

I had planned a pretty detailed trip report and even kept a pen and paper in the glasses compartment in the rental car. Wrote all the sightings and times down. I sure hope whoevers driving that car now gets some use out of it lol! I guess I can piece things together with the pics I have in any case. Once I get caught up at work and at home I'll try to put something out there.

It was a great trip with a lot of sightings tho. Missed the badger den (Mom moved the day before we got there). But caught some rambunctious bighorn "teens" bouncing around Dunraven which was pretty cool. Saw the Tower bears and cubs, caught Raspberry and Snow before they parted ways, and was caught off guard by a black bear at Sheepeater. We stopped for a breakfast snack and I almost grabbed the bear spray to walk across the parking lot but thought it unnecessary. I wasn't 20 feet from my car when a guy closer to the head mentioned "black bear". I turned to see it walking down the path into the parking lot as I got back in the car. It tried to break into the trash cans (they did their job!) and then played with the tires on the bikes on the back of an SUV. The other guy shouted at it and we honked our horn. It finally backed off after they started their engine.

BTW, I didn't miss the monopod. I actually used the 100-400 for 80-90% of my shots, setting up the 600 only when time allowed and we were setting up for the long haul (mostly for the black bears in Tower and at Signal Mtn in the Tetons).

Thanks again for the helpful advice!

-Rick

Statistics: Posted by Nordwil — Tue Jun 12, 2018 1:28 pm

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Super nice images! The cubs are really cute.

Statistics: Posted by Nikon_nerd — Mon Jun 11, 2018 8:49 am

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Super nice images! The cubs are really cute.

Statistics: Posted by Nikon_nerd — Mon Jun 11, 2018 8:49 am

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There were nine different black bear on the road between Roosevelt Junction and Calcite Springs when I was in the park in mid May. The only ones I didn't get good shots of was the sow with three cubs because I wasn't willing to spend all day waiting on her. Here are some of the ones I did see.

Statistics: Posted by RikWriter — Mon Jun 11, 2018 7:36 am

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this is a short video of the 5 pups at the Coyote Den in the Roosevelt area


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsrznrwVHWA

Statistics: Posted by Marcy — Sun Jun 10, 2018 2:16 pm

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Nice, Marcy. Didn't see this one posted elsewhere.

Max

Statistics: Posted by Max — Sat Jun 09, 2018 8:01 pm

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Been doing some fun shooting with my lens ball - here is one from Mammoth at the Terrace

2018_ynp_landscape_04_web by starburr45, on Flickr

Statistics: Posted by Marcy — Fri Jun 08, 2018 4:08 pm

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they are such trouble makers - love seeing their antics

Statistics: Posted by Marcy — Fri Jun 08, 2018 4:05 pm

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that looks like the same Aspen trees - and they have set up house on the opposite side of the tree you can see it from below if you want to walk down -just watch the mushy ground - been keeping an eye on them again this year

Statistics: Posted by Marcy — Fri Jun 08, 2018 4:04 pm

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glad you waited - can't tell you how much time has been wasted at Rainy this year - those are great

Statistics: Posted by Marcy — Fri Jun 08, 2018 4:01 pm

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Rick, I think you're timing your visit just right. Most of the rivers on both sides of the mountains are flowing pretty fast right now because of the late spring runoff. And most animals aren't too crazy about having to swim across high water, especially, if they have little ones tagging along. The Stillwater River is within walking distance of my house, NE of Slough Creek on the north slope of the Beartooth Mtns. Been out every morning walking along the river, to see how the local wildlife has been dealing with and reacting to the runoff. They do not like the high water! Not only is it dangerous but it also makes it too difficult for them to get around. So they tend to look for a safer route, (even if it takes more time) that takes them across higher ground so they don't have to swim across the dangerous, fast-moving high water. A few days ago, we had 8 geese, 6 wild turkeys, wild bunnies, and 14 whitetails in our front yard. And we also had numerous song birds perched on our tree fence. They normally hang out along the River. And the deer usually cross the River twice a day. But not this year. They're all taking longer routes around the river or are looking for ankle-deep water so they can stay on high ground (much safer). By the back channel off the main Stillwater River, I also saw two mated mallards and a big Rocky Mountain Painted Turtle slowly making their way up my footpath to the high bank to get away from the water. So I suspect that you'll probably see the same type of conditions and wildlife behavior when you're in the Park. This has been a very unique high water year....so if ya wanna find the critters, I think you're gonna have to think like one. Have a safe trip, Rick! Can't wait to see your report and pix.

Statistics: Posted by yellvet — Fri Jun 01, 2018 3:12 pm

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All nice images, but the first one is really sweet. Good job!

Statistics: Posted by Nikon_nerd — Wed May 30, 2018 9:20 am

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Finally I can contribute to this thread.

IMG_9868 by Linda Hamilton, on Flickr

Statistics: Posted by lah — Tue May 29, 2018 9:42 pm

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