Opening day in Yellowstone National Park - April 18, 2014

Happy First Posting

April 24, 2014




Hallelujah, I have finally done it. I started my first Blog and shared my first pictures. I have been attempting this for many years and have not made the time. This is the first post of hopefully many more to come. I hope you enjoy the blog and the pictures and an occasional anecdote.

Went to Yellowstone with my good friend and fellow photographer Daryl Hunter. There was still a lot of snow, one to two feet, from the west entrance to Old Faithful and from the Madison junction to Swan Lake, just before dropping down into the Mammoth area. Things were very slow as for wildlife. We didn't see "The Preacher", a mystic bear Daryl has told me about that I've yet to see. It is a 700 + pounder that had been spotted the day before. Anyway no such luck on opening day. Reminds me a lot of fishing on opening day, never able to catch the big one. No wonder I enjoy photography, its a lot like fishing....oh wait........I just snagged myself with my tripod.

I guess I will just have to show a bad boy from last year for now, but stay tuned, there will be more in future weeks.

My wife mentioned he needs to brush better and that my teeth will look the same if I don't start flossing (enlarge for details).

Daryl and I headed to the Lamar Valley after passing through Mammoth. Not a lot of action there either. I have to say that it pays to pull over when talking on the cell phone and driving. I got a call from a friend and I pulled into a turn out because I was afraid I would lose the call (no not because you shouldn't talk and drive - dang it). Anyway, as I was talking on the phone a grouse strutted out of the sage and bitter brush and attacked the car. I was in his territory and he was not leaving without a fight. I ended the call and looked for him but he had disappeared. I started backing up to see if he was in front of us and just out of our sight.  He reappeared and then quickly disappeared behind us. I slowly pulled forward with my window down and all of a sudden I heard a massive beating of wings. I jumped out of the car thinking I had run over and killed him. Much to my surprise he was standing next to my back tire looking at me. I walked closer and he began beating his wings again. It was then that I realized I was parked on the last inch of his tail feathers and he was stuck. Relieved I hadn't run over him and shocked that I was on his tail, I quickly jumped into the car and with my door open I slowly backed up again. He shot out like a bullet and came towards me. He was not happy I had ran over his tail and he wanted to fight. I was amazed at the bravery of this guy. Anyway I started moving away and he followed me attacking my leg and foot from behind.

This is a Dusky Grouse. He had the craziest eyebrows and could change the colors from yellow to orange or a mixture of both. Obviously didn't want me to interfere with any ladies that might be in the area.

 Here is a closer look. Can you see the anger towards me for parking on his tail in his eyes? No Fear here.

 I knelt down to talk to him and he jumped on my hand and arm and started beating me with his wings. He was still mad I had parked on his tail. Thanks to Daryl for taking this picture.


We continued on to the Lamar Valley and got skunked on bears and wolves. We did get a few buffalo shots against some cool rock backgrounds.

I was a little tired but I'm pretty sure there was a slope on this hillside. If not let's pretend there was.

Well family and friends, all three of you, that's all for the first big day of posting. Hope you visit again.