Yellowstone NP - Wildlife steals the limelight

What appeals to me about Yellowstone is that something interesting is never far away...

Driving northwards on our way to Canyon Village the thick forests opened out into Hayden Valley. A place where the unexpected is expected when it comes to wildlife.  



Hayden Valley

Looking out the window I got a quick glimpse of a Bison. We stopped and watched as it swam across the river. It then headed up the meadow to a bed of dirt where he lay down and rolled around, covering himself in a layer of dust. Satisfied with his covering of dust he continued across the road...narrowly missing and startling a couple of bike riders. He may have been on a promise or looking for a fight...! 

As we made our way around viewing points of interest we came across Mud Volcano. We knew we were in for something special because people and vehicles were everywhere. The Bison had taken over the area from the river right up the embankment and onto the road. It seemed everyone had "Bison fever" acting crazy and getting way too close, after all it's rutting season. We watched this spectacle for awhile and started up the board walk to the Mud Volcano only to find ourselves becoming part of the chaos. The remainder of the herd was milling around the bubbling mud pit. Males were posturing for the right to a female and scuffles broke out sending dust into the air. We stood frozen, as if the board walk offered some sort of protection from the activities all around us. It took some time to make our way back down but it was a sight I will never forget.

As we continued our sightseeing we stopped by Yellowstone River for lunch. We had the pullout to ourselves and watched the Bison way off in the distance having minor skirmishes. Eventually the skirmishes ended up on the road. Chaos ensued and a traffic jam began to grow. Then in the other direction.....something was happening around the corner. Suddenly we were in the thick of it all and we could now see the reason why the traffic had slowed in the other direction. A grand old Bison had commandeered the road as he strode with intent to reach the herd in the distance.



One afternoon we got a harsh reminder about the realities of survival here. While doing our laundry a herd of Elk and their young wondered through the car park. Tourists flocked to watch and as one man got really close the Elk started to look around in a frenzy, and the man took off in fright. Initially I though the Elk was reacting to the man but it soon became clear she was looking for her calf. She bellowed out frenzied cries and ran into the woods.....I can only guess it was too late, as she never reappeared and the herd kept moving on.

Driving through Lamar Valley the usual traffic jam had us stopping to see a Grizzly bear. Initially I was excited to see the bear in the wild but as I looked on and watched it seemed to be cornered with all the vehicles and people on the road. Surely if it was content to go the other way it would  have been on it's way. It was time for us to move on and leave the bear to it supposed freedom.

Grizzly Bear looking for a way out...

Relaxing at camp was not always peaceful.....

Elk making their way through the campground