Trip Report June 19 thru July 1 - Day 7

[luvdamtns]

We were up early again, today we will spend the entire day in Yellowstone. And, though we didn't know it at the time, it would be an amazing day. On our first trip to Yellowstone, we saw one lone Black Bear and COY. They crossed the road right in front of us. It was marvelous! So on this, our second trip to Yellowstone, I was hoping for more bears. I just love them! Of all of the creatures in Yellowstone, they are my favorite.

We headed in, caught this little red doggie having breakfast on the Madison...

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We hit the junction, cut across Norris and hung a left. First stop, the falls. It was a little overcast, but I came away with a few nice shots...

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We hung out at the falls for a little while, and then we headed up to Dunraven. Ah, cars, not too many but a few....oooh, some big lenses too, this could be good......Oh my, this is beyond good, this is bliss, this is my dream come true, this is MY FIRST EVER GRIZZLY!!!

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It was one of the most memorable moments of my life. We spent about an hour and a half with the Dunraven mom and two. It was amazing. They were up on the hill above the road. They came down like they were going to cross but then mom thought better of it, and they headed back up and over the hill. I wish my pictures could do them justice, but all I have is my little handy dandy Olympus SP-570UZ point and shoot. Although, I think it did a pretty fair job! (Note, I now have a bad case of lense envy--there was a lot of glass on that hillside!! I am so jealous!)

After our hearts stopped pounding we headed for Lamar Valley. This is the first trip to Lamar for my husband and I. It doesn't disappoint!

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We had a picnic lunch while we watched a lone buffalo walk by. Then we drove all the way to the northeast gate and back. No wildlife sitings, but lots of beautiful scenery. We stopped a few times and took some nice walks and basked in the glory that is Yellowstone!

Then we headed up to Mammoth where we found the baby owls...

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Another stellar day in Yellowstone! What more could you ask for?!

[lah]

Congratulations on the grizzly sighting, and I'd say your P&S did a great job on the photos. I am very happy for you.
Great owl baby shot, too. Thanks for sharing.
Seems like you're having a great trip.
How's the traffic/crowd in the park this week?

[luvdamtns]

Oh, we were there in June. At that time, the traffic really wasn't too bad, even the week before July 4th wasn't bad. The road construction between Norris and Madison wasn't too bad. We had pretty short waits and luckily each time we got stopped, it was in a gorgeous spot. So we really didn't mind the waits at all! Sometimes we got stopped at the front of the line, in which case we just chatted with the stop sign holder. There are some really nice guys and gals working on the roads in Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado!

[Deb1741]

You got some really nice pictures of the Dunraven griz and cubs. When we saw them in June we were blessed that we got to experience her nursing the cubs. Got some awesome pics of it.

lah- I've been wondering about the traffic too. I usually don't go anywhere near the park in July and August because of the traffic but I'm driving my grandson and two other 7th grade girls to Lincoln for a church camp tomorrow. (yes....please pray for my sanity- almost 300 miles with 3 twelve year olds!). Anyways, I'm driving back as far as Belgrade after dropping them off and coming back to Billings Monday morning. Part of me is really trying to get the other part of me to take a turn at Livingston and do a mini-trip through the park on the way home. It sure is tempting. Though on Tuesday, my daughter and my 7 month old grandson and I are doing a dayhike up to Mystic Lake in the Beartooths so I probably better get home and do my chores so I can play on Tuesday. Darn....I wish I didn't have so many chores to do- they really get in the way of my Yellowstone addiction. LOL
Deb

[lah]

Deb, like you, I usually stay away in July and August but am really thinking of tempting fate and going back for a bit. Seems like people are still seeing bears and other animals, which would make it more worthwhile.

[luvdamtns]

Would love to see your pics of the Dunraven cubs nursing! How wonderful I too, felt that we were blessed just to see them. They are so beautiful.

[Deb1741]

There are a few pictures of the griz family on this trip report. You can only see one cub nursing as the second one was hidden behind the bigger one. We watched them for about 45 minutes. It was an awesome experience and was only out done by the wolf/bear/coyote drama we were fortunate enough to experience two days later.

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Deb

[luvdamtns]

Oooh, Deb, those are awesome! Thank you

[Helene]

Great report and photos! Congrats on your first grizzlies!

[luvdamtns]

Thanks Helene! I was so excited. It was an extrordinary experience! I now have a horrible case of grizzlyidous. I asked Grizynp if there was medication for this, or if I just had to suffer........I think I just have to suffer, at least until I can get out there again!

[grizynp]

Great grizzly experience. I caught the same sow with two in almost the same place in 2007. I have reason to believe that this is the sow with two that later became the sow with 4 that summer. Unfortunately, none of the little ones made it. ....And, of course, Lower Falls never disappoints.