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Bruce and Geri, our family from Washington and Carlene and I headed to the park about 5:30 pm. We had a nice drive to Roosevelt and saw bison and elk along the way. There are some very large bull elk around Lava Creek that are going to have some massive antlers.
We saw ducks on Floating Island Lake and the lake is still holding its own. We have had quite a bit of rain in the past two weeks and that has helped with our drought at least in the northern area of the park and Paradise Valley north of the park. We need the rain so we will take all we can get. We are hoping and praying for a very low fire year.
We did see elk, bison and antelope in Little America but not too much other wildlife or folks spotting. We continued on our drive to Lamar. We met Jake and Leslie from Michigan at Slough Creek. They said there was a grizzly sow and cub out just west of the Fishermen s turnout, so we headed up the valley.
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We could not see the calf as it was behind down trees. The cub was not too interested in food as it was just playing and staying by mom. It was interesting as we watched as there were about three elk cows that were staying awfully close to the sow and we wondered what was going on.
Just then, Bill Clark stated that he had another elk calf in view and we were not going to believe it, but the calf was about 20 to 30 yards from the sow. The calf was not moving and the cows were keeping an eye on it while not trying to give it away.
The sow started to move off to the west away from the other calf and we all breathed a sign of relief. The cows were below the sow and moved west with the bears. All of the sudden the sow started to sniff and move back to the east. Everyone was glued to their scopes and binocs hoping that the sow would miss this calf. The sow came within what looked like a few yards of the calf. The calf held its position. The sow sniffed and then slowly started to meander west away from the calf. We were happy, but probably not near as happy as the cows and calf.
While this was all going on, there was also a black bear up on the bench above the Lamar River. It seemed to be on a kill also, but no one had seen it or knew exactly what it was. The black bear was out until just before dark and made an easy escape while we were all watching the sow and cub and elk calf.
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As darkness set in we said our goodbyes to friend we won't see until next year and wished them well and a safe journey home. It was another great spring evening in Parkadise.
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The planets were out and very bright so we set up our spotting scopes at home and viewed Jupiter, its moons and Venus. We also watched two satellites silently and quickly crossing the night sky.
Great family and friends made for a fantastic evening together! What a way to spend your spring and build memories that will last a lifetime and beyond.
Wildlife Seen on This Trip
Antelope, bison, elk, two grizzly bears, one black bear, mule deer, sand hill cranes and ravens.
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