more Yellowstone Critters from last weekend

[Tom Reichner]

Once again great shots of a nice animal. What other pics did you get when you where there? You should make a thread on your trip.

You're right, TeacherMan - good idea!

So here are some of the other critters we saw.  Keep in mind we only had two days there. So while we saw and photographed alot, there was alot that happened that we missed, too. The day after we left, a black Wolf took a pregnant cow elk down right along the road in the Lamar Valley.  Wish we could've stayed an extra day - timing is everything!

We were very fortunate to see the Badgers.  I've wanted a pic of a Badger quite badly for some time now, and was finally rewarded.  When we returned home to WA, we learned that the day after we photographed the Badgers, they closed the area around the den to all human entry. 

The Moose, lucky again.  If we hadn't gotten up at a very early hour, we would've missed those. There was hardly any light, but a couple of the exposures turned out anyway.  f2.8 and ISO 800 help!

The Coyote was hunting, and completely indifferent to our presence.

The Harlequins - oh, the Harlequins!  How gorgeous they are!  We missed them.  I mean, we heard from other photographers in the park that there had been 14 the day before.  And over twenty were there at LeHardy Rapids - every day for weeks.  Well, we went there as soon as we heard the tip about them being there.  But all we found was one hen.  Finally, after three more trips down to the rapids, we found three - our hen plus a pair.  They were somewhat skittish, and didn't alight anywhere near enough for us to get the frame-filling shots we had heard were possible.  So a few from afar had to suffice.  There's always next year - they'll be back and so will we.

Finally, there was a sick Grizzly. Rangers reported that he had been mauled by a dominant Grizz boar.  He continually held his head in this low, hanging position, which caused the Rangers from the Bear Office to surmise that he had suffered severe eye damage.  They wondered if he had been completely blinded.  He sure acted like it.  After observing him try to feed and move about for about a half hour, I'd be surprised if he lived more than a week or two. He's in bad shape. 

[Tom Reichner]

Sorry - can't help myself.  Here are a few more:

[popeshawnpaul]

Great pictures.  Of course, I love the sheep picture. 

[saylean]

Outstanding! Pics like this are always such a treat! What a great one of the hunting yote...too bad to hear bout the grizzly...he'll be food for something soon from the sound of it. I hope he doesnt become a "problem bear". Thanks for posting!

[Ricochet]

Thanks for sharing, Tom.  Don't feel bad about missing some opportunities. The only time I've been to Yellowstone the head of the borrowed tripod I was using detached from its legs, sending the camera crashing onto some rocks.  I got zero photos on that trip.    You've got some great pics.

[bowhunterforever]

Awsome pics, Tom!

[sparksbr]

Awesome pics!  Love the harly's!  Had no idea they came that far in-land during the breeding season...

[boneaddict]

Badger is my favorite.  I've been looking and looking down here and haven't found one yet.

[@RCHER]

Holy smokes! Those are great pics, Tom. This is by far my favorite WA photography site on the net. 

I kid, but to have a subject, like photography, that so many on one hunting forum share a passion for is quite the rare treat.

I've really enjoyed everyone's photos and will say this a bunch more times, I'm sure...thanks for sharing!

[Dipsnort]

Badger is my favorite.  I've been looking and looking down here and haven't found one yet.

I've only seen one in the wild and it wasn't far from Selah.
I'll post the picture I took, not for the great photography (using a cheapo camera with the auto setting that focused on the tree in the foreground), but purely for evidence.

[Skyvalhunter]

Great pics Tom!!!!

[boneaddict]

One was hit on the road about a mile from my house.  I was mad Mom didn't stop and pick i tup for me.

[Pathfinder101]

As always, great pics Tom!

[searchnfor]

Looks like fun Tom, great pitures. Thanks for sharing.

[TeacherMan]

Thanks for sharing more pics, I have to admit you have to be one of the most lucky people I know when it comes to finding wildlife. You are more than welcome to carry that camera with me on a hunting trip any time you want