Wildlife in the National Parks

I can't finish up with the posts from our visit to the National Parks without posting some wildlife!

While we were waiting for Old Faithful to erupt, the girls and I found a raised walkway that we could sit on, dangle our legs over the edge and still not be touching any of the geothermal area! Yippppeeee! All the benches were crowded and full. While we were sitting there, by the main outflow area of Old Faithful, Blossom said, "LOOK!" I, of course start scanning for anything new and exciting... "NO," she said. "Down there!!"

"An ANT!!!!!!"

I kind of wonder what happened to the many ants that we saw after the hot water from Old Faithful ran through this drainage area... Do they know to get out? Do they swim? Do they hold their breath? Do insects breathe? Are they unaffected by the heat or "wet" from the geyser water? Hmmm... looks like a science lesson we could explore. Does anyone know anything about this topic? I would sure like some help on this one, if you do!

OH! I couldn't pass up this wildlife!

It was hard to get pictures of them all still and together (Blossom and Nephew Baby are being held.) This was a rare moment, waiting for Old Faithful...

As soon as it erupted, these couple of monkeys were off and climbing and exploring these dead and down trees.

We often saw deer near our campsite. These were just across the drive from our tents. This doe was about 20 feet from the "comfort station" (read: toilets!) having her delicious breakfast of greens.

There were two bucks laying down about 20 feet north of that doe. These guys were harder to snap pictures of, hiding in all the branches.

The bison seem so "American" on the plain in front of these "purple mountain majesties"!!

I love the birds hanging out on the backs of the bison. They remind me of Blossom, who is always wanting a piggy back ride on Pops. I'll bet that he doesn't think that a bird is anything similar to our growing Blossom!

Oh, my! These just might be the wildest wildlife, yet!!

One evening, we were treated to seeing this cow moose and her calf. I had pulled our van over and hopped out to take a picture of them in the field on the other side of the road. I wasn't as fast as they were... and they crossed the road in front of my van! I was standing at the front and to the side of my van, and I had my zoom lens on... but they were fairly close! Not so close if mama moose decided I was too close to baby moose and charged, that I couldn't get back inside my van faster than her!! I am a cautious creature. I am not so fond of the idea of being charged, gored or anything of the like!

We later saw a video at one of the visitor centers that mentioned that a cow moose with a calf is the most aggressive and dangerous animal in the park. Even more so than a grizzly bear! Good to know... after the fact!

We saw this beautiful creature (whom I assumed was the most aggressive and dangerous animal in the park) as we were leaving the park. We were two miles from the exit and it was raining. I grabbed my camera and got this photo through the windshield. I was really beginning to think that we would not be getting to see a grizzly bear on this trip. I was happy to be WRONG!

I was brave enough to ONLY send the window down. (Staying inside the van was a good option, I thought. Perhaps I could have been closer with better pictures if I'd stood on the side of the road, but I know enough about the length of those claws to just stay put!!) Pops kept his finger on the button to send the window right back up into place if Mr. Grizzly decided to come and see if Dodge Caravans offer tasty treats of the human variety!

He wasn't terribly interested in us. He was on a mission to get somewhere! Pardon my Monet-inspired photo...

Apparently, he was after something tasty in a hole he needed to dig!

We were very excited to see a bear up close and well, personal! Blossom was thrilled to say the least and continued to say over and over and over and over (you get the picture), "That is my first time ever seeing a bear." She wanted to stop and tell everyone. She told everyone in the lobby of the hotel that we checked into. If you ask her about seeing bears on her trip... I am sure the excitement will keep bubbling right up and out!!!