The decision to forgo the drive to Grand Teton National Park in favour of visiting the Lamar Valley in the North East of Yellowstone turned out to be a good one. There had been a heavy overnight frost with light snow and it was -4 degrees when we set out. The sun was out, so made for very scenic vistas as we made the 70 plus mile drive across the park via Mammoth Springs.
We were soon rewarded on our first stop in the valley where we spoke with some serious wolf watchers. Apparently, a pack of wolves was sighted further up the valley, as was a mother Grizzly and cub. We were also informed that a bison carcass was near the road up ahead and was receiving the attention of a coyote. Full of anticipation we headed deeper into the valley.
Soon we were presented with a scene that we had hoped for when coming to the park. The valley broadened out into a wide grassy floor filled with hundreds of bison in numerous herds. The description was right out of a western novel. It was not long before we found the dead bison, the victim of inattentive driving. The crowd of people trying to get pictures on smart phones was a little bit of a giveaway, but the adult coyote was evident. I took my time to get some reasonable photos without disturbing the feeding animal. She, however, kept leaving the carcass and disappearing into the brush. The reason soon became evident as she was trying to encourage a pup to approach with her. The pup preferred to have food of a regurgitated variety rather than approach the dead bison and its human observers.
A distant howl drew an immediate reaction from the female coyote and after a short while she left with the pup, crossing the river a few hundred yards away. On the other side a 2ndpup could be made out as could a potential den site where they all disappeared.
At a stop, some miles further up valley, there were more ‘spotters’ observing the other side of the valley. A mother grizzly and cub, too difficult to see even with our binoculars. However, a kind observer allowed us sight of the bears through his more powerful scope albeit they were still hard to make out.
We continued through the valley to the North East entrance to the park then turned for home. On the way back we saw prong horned deer and stag elks, but seasonal road repairs and the inclement weather made the drive long and tedious. By the time we arrived home it was snowing quite hard, but a coffee, quick suitcase pack and we were ready to go out.
Ponds Lodge for a meal, which as before was good food at a great price. The manager, Carl and waitress Nikki, greeted us having remembered us our first night. They, together with Jolyn, looked after us and made us very welcome. A great way of ending our Yellowstone stay.