Rising SunYellowstone National Park, Wyoming
April 2022 Sunrise in a Wild Land of Wild Life, YNP, Wyoming

I just returned from an amazing trip to Yellowstone National Park. I've been 7 times now-- in the heat and smoke of summer; in the crisp cool air of the fall rut; in the brutal cold of deep winter; and now, in the springtime of change. Of all the trips that I have made to this wild land of wild life, spring has been my favorite. More roads are open, giving more opportunity to explore and spot wildlife; bears are out of their dens and hungry; temperatures are still cool to cold, allowing the wildlife to active for longer periods of the day; birds return to the park and fill the morning and evening air with their soaring song. Here are a few images from Yellowstone in Spring.

Brindle Wolf StareOne of my top 3 all time wildlife encounters. Two wolves just crossed the road. This one trailed behind and stopped in the meadow to look and howl. Soon, there was a wolf call and response sing-a-long as the white wolf that had crossed earlier stopped to howl, along with wolves in the hills on each side of the road. The entire encounter lasted little more than 5 minutes, but it will provide me with a lifetime of memories.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
April 2022 Brindle Wolf Stare, YNP, Wyoming

We were surrounded by wolves. Two had just crossed the road into an open meadow filled with snow and I thought the encounter was over. But the brindle wolf stopped and howled and soon other wolves appeared. One on the hillside across from us; one in front; one white one walked behind us 10 feet from our disbelieving eyes. 7 wolves in total, and while the encounter lasted only five minutes or less, they gave me a lifetime of memories in just a moment.

The Other SideThis brindle wolf stayed came out of the snowy woods and watched us with the intensity of the wild. He howled a few notes and then leisurely walked up and over the other side. I never saw him again. Till next time my wild friend.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
April 2022 The Other Side, YNP, Wyoming

Big Bad Wolf Stepping OutYellowstone National Park, Wyoming
April 2022

Stepping Out, YNP, Wyoming

A Beautiful Grey WolfA big, beautiful grey wolf stands over a bag of bison bones and looks at me with wild eyes in the early morning light.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
April 2022 A Beautiful Grey Wolf, YNP, Wyoming

You never know when or where the next wildlife encounter will occur. In this wild land the only thing you control is your attitude and effort. The day you give up, is the day you will not see anything. The days you persevere are the days you are blessed. 

Big BearWe saw a long silhouette strolling through the white meadow. It's long strides were covering the distance with ease. This bear was huge! I drove further down to clearing in the same direction the bear was walking. I waited. And waited until I could see the bear foraging in the woods. After about an hour of waiting he came out, long confident strides plowing through the snow. He was a big bear.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
April 2022 Big Bear, YNP, Wyoming

ScoopA giant grizzly bear stops in the snow and takes in the scene. Notice that this grizzly has only one ear. The right being tossed in a fight some years ago.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
April 2022 Scoop, YNP, Wyoming

What Goes Up Must Come DownSub-adult grizzly in Yellowstone descends a tree after not catching any ravens at all.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
April 2022

What Goes Up Must Come Down, YNP, Wyoming

Stare Down, YNP, Wyoming

Bears! Bears! Bears! Yellowstone in the spring gave great opportunities for bear viewing. While I didn't see any COY (Cubs of the Year or Spring Cubs) I did see 5 grizzly in 2 weeks. Four grizzly were seen on the newly opened roads of the park, roads that are inaccessible in the winter. Incidentally, this road was also where the amazing wolf encounter happened as well. Yellowstone in spring? You can count me in. ;-)

American BadgerYellowstone National Park, Wyoming
April 2022 American Badger, YNP, Wyoming

Red Fox HuntI have come to really like red foxes! They are so cute and their coat so colorful. One day I'll get a good pounce! (Add it to the wishlist!)
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
April 2022 Red Fox on the Hunt, YNP, Wyoming

Mountain Bluebird On the Wing, YNP, Wyoming

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All photos were taken in a safe location and with a 600mm lens or with a 600mm lens + 1.4 ext (840mm).

To see more of this wild land of wild life, or to order prints of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, please visit the online collection  Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Aloha, 

Lee