Tuesday, December 1, 2020

ANOTHER DAY IN YELLOWSTONE FROM AUGUST 2007 to be published later

 These are more memories from our trip into Yellowstone back in August of 2007.  Information I have added, could well be outdated now but as recently as October 2020, I read that "Yellowstone provides summer range for an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 elk (Cervus canadensis) from six to seven herds, most of which winter at lower elevations outside the park."

We didn't get to see any bears on this trip, but I found this lovely old postcard in a display case at the museum in West Yellowstone.
In Mammoth right in the middle of town there was a large grassy area where we found an elk herd. The Ranger told us they don't really encourage them to come into town but they are attracted to the greenest grass and here was a very large patch for them to munch on. I can still remember the sound the bull made when he bellowed, it was an awesome sound.  He looked formidable and we did not want to get too close while taking any of these photos, using our zoom lens.
Not too far out of Mammoth there were three elk at the side of the road. I got a pretty good shot of one of them out of the window of our car as we passed by. 
It's true, every time we saw cars backed up we knew we were in for an experience.  We found a spot on the side of the road and parked.
And here they were, a large herd.
Another magnificent bull elk.
It wasn't long before we were joined by a Park Ranger. They are always there to make sure animals and people stay a good distance away from each other. 
Case in point there were two photographers with very long lens' on their cameras but he still told them to move back up the hill. 
We could see the herd was moving closer to them and the ranger knew the bull would charge them. He told us to watch him. 
We learned that if any of his herd wandered a little too far away, as this young elk did, daddy would round them up to keep them close. 
The Ranger also told us that the young males once they reached a certain age would be run off, to eventually start their own herd.
I read that elk are the same species as the 'red deer' in Europe.  Some Europeans use the term 'elk' for moose.  To avoid confusion, elk in North America are often referred to by the Shawnee name Wapiti.
More interesting facts about Elk can be found here.
For anyone who has a great love of wildlife and for nature in general, and I know those of you who have also visited can attest to, Yellowstone is an incredible place to visit





37 comments:

  1. Lovely post and good to see the animals in the park. I'm told it's a large park and looks so very different each season.
    Take care.

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    1. Thank you Margaret, it is a beautiful place in all seasons. Yellowstone National Park is a nearly 3,500-sq.-miles. You take care too :)

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  2. You look like you are right there with them. And you pretty much ARE. Wonderful pictures, like watching a nature show on T.V.

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    1. Thank you Ginny :) I am always grateful to the Rangers who keep us as safe as can be. We were a lot further away than most but from experience we realize that those animals can run fast!

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  3. Wow.
    What a wonderful experience you shared. Thank you.

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  4. Hello Denise,
    Awesome captures of the Elk. It is cool seeing the male rounding up his herd. I love Yellowstone, it is a great park for wildlife sightings. Take care, enjoy your day!

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    1. Thank you Eileen, I agree. This is a place I would love to go back to again and again. You take care and enjoy your day also :)

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  5. What a wonderful experience! I would love to visit there someday. Excellent photos Denise!

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    1. Thank you Martha :) When you get out there I know you will enjoy it as much as we did.

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  6. If I got to see all of this in real life I might just expire from excitement! I just love the way the antlers look on that bull. Elk and moose look nothing alike because elk are beautiful and moose are ugly but I like moose because to me ugly is beautiful

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    1. Thanks Sandra, it is hard not to jump up and down with excitement. It truly is an incredible experience. I agree, our elk and moose are very different and beautiful in their own way.

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  7. I have never been there so these photos are a treat.

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    1. That's great Gigi, thank you and happy you enjoyed :)

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  8. Thanks for this wonderful experience!

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    1. You are very welcome Christine, I am happy to share :)

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  9. I made my comment then noticed Elephant's Child had similar thoughts!

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  10. Dziękuję :) Bardzo się cieszę, że ci się podobało.

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  11. Right in town!!!!!

    Oh mercy, I can see a group of young boys, trying to show, who is the most brave (or stupid)... And approaching the "Big Guy'!!!!

    Eeeeeeeek!!!!! -smile-

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    1. Yes right in town! In fact I was on the steps of their post office as we had been inside and saw all the people gathering on those steps and in front of us. The elk had effectively corralled us :))) The bull elk put on quite a show. There was a spot around the corner where another heard had gathered, on another grassy area. It was an amazing experience :) There weren't any young boys around that I could see. A lot of couples our age, and children young enough so that parents had their hands firmly in theirs.

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  12. WoW!!! what amazing images, i really, really enjoyed seeing them. these animals, if i get to see them are always in a zoo or safari, not in the wild!!

    the bull elk is awesome...and the antlers, wow!! that sure is a long line of traffic, it's nice to see so many people interested in the animals and for being outdoors!!

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    1. Thanks Debbie, we went up to Pennsylvania a couple of years back where they have a herd of elk in a town I can't remember the name of now, wandering around quite freely. Hardly any other people around that time. It was raining hard but we didn't care :) We were just so happy to see the elk.

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  13. I've always wanted to go to Yellowstone - thanks for the little trip with your photos. Love the wildlife

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    1. You would love it Carol, it is an unforgettable experience :)

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  14. Yellowstone is amazing. You got some great shots of the elk! Happy December to you!

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    1. Thank you Ellen and a Happy December to you too :)

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  15. Wow, Denise you were treated to a lovely experience in Yellowstone! It truly is an extraordinary place on our planet. I would love to visit there again. We visited in the 70's and I'll never forget it. Thank you for sharing this wonderful time.

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    1. Thank you Martha Ellen and you are very welcome. I'd love to get there too. Amazing place :)

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  16. Great shots. Good idea to stay away from the bull when he is protecting his herd.

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  17. Wonderful photographs of the elk. I hope to one day to make it to Yellowstone and other points west.

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    1. Hi Linda, that’s great. I will look forward to your photos when you get out there.

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