Category Archives: Yellowstone

The Hungry Griz

Posted on March 13, 2016 by westerner54

Imagine you’re a big old Yellowstone grizzly bear who’s just woken after your winter sleep.  Food. You need food. Now imagine that you’re lucky enough to be wandering around the Blacktail Ponds in Yellowstone on an early spring day, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , | 22 Comments

The Wait: Life and Death in Yellowstone

Posted on January 10, 2016 by westerner54

The coyote is waiting. The eagles are waiting.   The wolf-watchers are waiting. Even the wolves are waiting, off in the distance beyond the trees. It’s a death-watch.  We’re all watching a wounded bull elk, waiting to see what will … Continue reading →

Posted in Montana, Nature, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

Too Close

Posted on November 10, 2015 by westerner54

November’s grizzlies have one thing on  their mind: food.    They’re on a mission, and I am not interested in getting in their way. The griz we saw a couple of weeks ago was definitely on a mission.  He was … Continue reading →

Posted in Montana, Nature, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , | 30 Comments

Spring in Yellowstone? How Can You Tell?

Posted on April 8, 2015 by westerner54

Blowing snow, blowing wind….freezing my tush off.  Springtime in Yellowstone. A ghostly coyote wanders through the blowing snow.   I don’t imagine he’s too impressed with the weather, either. The trade off, of course, is an empty park.   And … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , | 19 Comments

Sun, Sky and Snow: A Winter Day in Yellowstone

Posted on January 31, 2015 by westerner54

Breaking trail on a perfect winter day in Yellowstone.   See you in the Spring, Yellowstone!

Posted in Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Camping at the End of the Road: The Loner’s Guide to the Best Campsites

Posted on January 5, 2015 by westerner54

Some of our best friends are people.   We like them.   And sometimes we even like to go camping with them. But more often than not, we* prefer to camp alone, and we’re perfectly happy if we don’t see … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Camping, Montana, Nature, Travel, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , | 25 Comments

Solstice Wolves

Posted on December 20, 2014 by westerner54

I’m standing on a hilltop in Yellowstone on a cold and bright December morning.    The snow beneath me is covered with hundreds of wolf tracks.    They must have been through here early this morning – the tracks are clearly fresh, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , | 38 Comments

Beware the Steaming Bear

Posted on October 29, 2014 by westerner54

It’s not unusual to come upon plumes of steam coming from the ground when you’re hiking in Yellowstone.    You just walk around the vent, and keep on your way. Sometimes though, the steam in front of you is not … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Montana, Nature, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , | 16 Comments

Yellowstone Skies

Posted on September 22, 2014 by westerner54

The changing season brings out the best in Yellowstone.    The critters tend toward the frantic: the bull elk are madly trying to keep their harems in line, chasing after each other during the day and bugling all night long, … Continue reading →

Posted in Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Yellowstone | 15 Comments

The Unbearable Cuteness of Being

Posted on May 23, 2014 by westerner54

Sure, bears can be cute.   That Yogi, he’s pretty dapper.   But bear cubs? Now that’s some unbearable cuteness.* (* thanks, Linda!) And everyone in Yellowstone thinks so, too.  A mama bear with a cub is sure to bring out the crowds. … Continue reading →

Posted in Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , | 31 Comments