Oh, my, I have just returned from a fabulous trip to the Grand Tetons. There are no words to describe the beauty of this place that I have come to really love. We stepped off the plane and learned the airport was within the Grand Teton National Park... fields of flowering sage greeted us and we were overwhelmed!
I learned that this valley received an incredible 700+" of snow last winter, and that some of the mountain passes had only recently opened. Spring was late - but wonderful with all the flowers in bloom.
We were delighted to find this Violet Green Swallow at the first stop - the Jackson Hole visitors center.
What a beautiful bird!
We took some short walks, I was really noticing the altitude change, but enjoyed every second of it. We felt that we were really in the WILD west!
AWW, what a sight for sore eyes.
We discovered Moose-Wilson Road leading into the park, and only minutes from where we were staying.
There were willow flats along the road, and I photographed this mama moose from the car. She did not appreciate that...
... as her calf was nearby.
On the second morning we went up to Yellowstone. A 60 mile trip took several hours as we made many stops along the way. At dawn noticed some elk running in our field, and then we heard the howl of a nearby wolf, getting closer.
Actually there was a pack of 4, hunting the elk but disturbed by us. It was very exciting to be so close to these wolves.
I still cannot believe the beauty of this place. I was reminded of my favorite bible verse, Psalm 121:
"A song for the upward-journey. I will lift up my eyes to the mountains, from where my help always comes. My help comes from Adonai, Maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip off course, your Keeper does not slumber. Watch!-- the Keeper of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. Adonai is your Keeper, Adonai is your shade at your right hand. By day, the sun shall not harm you, nor the moon by night. Adonai will continually protect you from all evil, He will preserve your soul. Adonai will continually guard your going out and your coming in, from now and throughout eternity." (my translation)
Birding here was tough, but we managed 108 species in 6 days. This is a Willow Flycatcher, cute as can be.
The wildflowers were such an unexpected pleasure. These lupines were everywhere, so beautiful with the mountains. (I was testing out a wide angle lens so I had to get down in the dirt but loved it!)
Onward to Yellowstone... a place I had wanted to visit all my life. Everyone should! Do you notice anything dark in the pines?
Yes, it was Smoky the bear! (We didn't see him climb up there, but we were glad to be on the ground looking up at him, rather than up in the tree looking down at him.) Check out the claws!
At lunch we noticed that the Gray Jays are particularly interested in any scraps that may have been left on the picnic table.
This is what I called an "animal jam" - when traffic would stop to allow for viewing of wildlife. The elk just wanted to cross. We did see folks getting foolishly close to some of the large animals.
When we arrived at Old Faithful, we learned it had just gone off. So we walked around the area for about an hour. It was like being on another planet and smelled of sulfur. There were geysers everywhere, so interesting. Several people have been killed falling into these, as the water is boiling hot and the crust of the earth is thin.
There were many colorful ground squirrels.
Old Faithful was so neat to watch, the water shot up about 100' in the air for a couple minutes.
It really is an American treasure.
On the way home we stopped at a stream to look for a special bird called the American Dipper.
Here he is, and this little guy is pretty amazing. It lives in rushing mountain streams, walking and swimming underwater to find food. We really enjoyed watching him.
It had been an incredible 2 days, 4 more to go so stay tuned. (Did I mention the DELICIOUS BISON BURGERS??)
The Black Necked Stilt always makes me smile. Here I have an adult on the right, and probably a juvenile on the left, resting by sitting on the long legs!
The Reddish Egret seemed to be wondering what was happening to his shrinking marsh.
So was the Brown Pelican! Where is the water?
Further down the road I found a group (family?) of Marbled Godwits.
What a bird!
Ok, here is the first of what I will call my bird portraits ! This is up close and personal with a White Ibis (which should have been named Old Blue Eyes!!).
Along the shore, there is nothing quite like the sight of a Brown Pelican cruising by.
This is not a great photo but I think I have spotted a Spotted Sandpiper. (The heat was really getting to me).
This was my most unexpected bird today - a Black Bellied Plover in breeding plumage? I thought they spent the summer in the arctic. Maybe she is the first of the migration coming back? That must have been quite the temperature shock (maybe she knows there is a cold front coming? Sure hope so!)
I did see many Western Willets. I could not stand out on the point too long for I think the tripod was melting in the heat. I drank lots of water but boy it was nice to get back in the air-conditioned car.
Where there was water, birds were numerous. Here was a Great Egret along with the Tricolored Heron.
Yikes, another rail! I think this must be a King Rail since it is so much darker than the other Clapper Rails I saw; here it is along with another Western willet.
This is a funny looking Laughing Gull, but he seemed happy just floating.
Speaking of happy - this Snowy Egret happens to be one of my favorite birds. He was a-dancing hava nagila in the cool water, notice the dancing shoes!
He was so cute I decided he needed his portrait done as well.
I happened to look up and behold! a Swainson's hawk overhead!
I drove over to Lafitte's cove and was sad to see the marsh nearly gone. There were a few Killdeers looking sad too!
It was sweltering hot inside the cove, but thankfully no mosquitos. Lots of flycatchers flitting about, I think this may be a Yellow bellied flycatcher.
I am not sure what this one is - any ideas?
This white winged dove was too hot to fly off, he was resting at the water drip at Lafitte's cove. I need to do some more car birding, as there was much of the island I didn't get to. It was a nice way to spend a hot day!
