Bison

Bison Calf, near Slough Creek

Photo of a bison calf.
Bison Calf near Slough Creek

In the spring of 2009 and in the spring of 2010 I spent a lot of time observing baby animals in Yellowstone.  They are all cute.  But I grew especially fond of bison calves or, as they are also known, “red dogs.”  They’re very photogenic.  Find a bison herd in the spring or summer and stop and observe for a while.  The interactions among the cows, yearlings and calves is very interesting.  Plus, it doesn’t take long before one of the calves decides to run around for the sheer joy of it.  To see an earlier post of a red dog running click here.

Landscape

Mormon Row Barn, Grand Teton National Park

This is a photo of the Moulton Barn.
Moulton Barn, One of the Historic Mormon Barns

When I travel to Yellowstone I usually don’t leave it because the wildlife photo opportunities are so good.  The next time I go to Yellowstone I’m going to break my habit and spend some time in Jackson Hole at the beginning or end of my trip.   The wildlife photo opportunities aren’t as good (with the exception of moose), but the landscape photo opportunities are fantastic.

Eagle

Independence Day and Our Nation’s Symbol

Photo of a bald eagle perched on a broken branch.
Bald Eagle on Snag

A bald eagle perches on a driftwood limb on the shore of Kachemak Bay, Alaska.

There was a nice article in our paper today about a man here in Marin County who collects all things relating to the bald eagle.  His name is Preston Cook.  In addition to collecting, Preston has given much time to helping the bald eagle.  Among his efforts were many years spent on the board of the American Bald Eagle Foundation.  You can see the story here.

Waterfowl

Harlequin Duck, Yellowstone National Park

Photo of male harlequin duck.
Beautiful Male Harlequin

When people think of Yellowstone wildlife they think of mammals like bison, elk, bears and wolves.  However, it’s a pretty good place to see birds as well.  There is a spot on the Yellowstone River called LeHardy Rapids.  You can count on seeing Harlequin ducks there.

Eagle

Bald Eagle Recovery Anniverary

Photo of a bald eagle soaring over Kachemak Bay, Alaska.
A bald eagle soars over Kachemak Bay.

Today is the fourth anniversary of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s announcement that the bald eagle had recovered and would be removed from the list of Threatened and Endangered Species.  It had been listed since 1967, first as an endangered species, and later as a threatened species.  The main reason for its listing was the wide-spread use of DDT which had caused thinning of egg shells.