Tuesday, September 24, 2013

6 Bears & 2 Moose

Hi All,

Another busy day on Moose Wilson Rd. with lots of bears. Several remained in berry bushes close to the road to give great views for visitors.

These two finally had to be chased off the road so they would not develop bad habits.

We have two work days left. Three to six inches of snow forecast for tonight.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Sunday, September 22, 2013

6 Moose & 4 Bears!

Hi All,

After two fun days in Cody, we were back patrolling Moose-Wilson Rd today. The day passes very quickly with lots of wildlife.

In the moose department we had two cows with calves and two other single cows. One was very close to the road and caused a huge traffic jam.

We had a grizzly bear run across the highway and two black bears saunter across the road plus another that stayed up on the hillside.

This is bear#130, 15 feet up in a stout berry bush eating the berries she could not reach from the ground. She spent two hours in this spot!

Hard to believe we have less than a week remaining.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Friday, September 20, 2013

Buffalo Bill Museum

Hi All,

We are spending a couple of days in Cody, WY, primarily to visit the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum. This place is a fascinating combination of five different themes.

The life of William Cody is depicted from his time driving freight wagons for $50 a month, through his time as a buffalo hunter providing meat for railroad workers at $500 a month to his famous Wild West show that toured the world.

The entrance has this interesting video projected from behind on a screen of smoke blowing in from the side.


The firearm section displays 3,600 different weapons. 

The Plains Indian section chronicles the lives, culture and demise of the Sioux, Cherokee, Crow and other tribes on the central plains. This bear claw necklace was worn by tribal leaders.

The Western Art section included this prairie rattlesnake painting. Very realistic and eight feet by six feet!
We spent the whole day on the museum and, of course, the shop ;-).

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Another Interesting Day

Hi All,

Our day began with a bear in a tall berry bush along the road.

This guy was very popular.


Later we stopped at the Rockefeller Preserve and saw evidence of lots of bear activity. This short trail had 12-15 big bear scat piles. They are left in place since they promote bear awareness far more effectively than signs.

In the late afternoon, a severe thunderstorm came through the area with one inch diameter hail!
Always something interesting going on here ;-).

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone


Monday, September 16, 2013

Becoming One with the Bears

Hi All,

We have spent most of the last two days on Moose Wilson Rd with two bears who must love having their pictures taken.

This one was near or crossing the road most of the day. Wildlife Brigade members spent a total of 20 staff hours watching this guy on Sunday alone!


The other bear along the road is this one. With ear tags #129 and 130, we know she is a 12 year old female who was tagged in 2008. You can just see one of the yellow tags in this photo.  Today she pushed a big berry bush across the road and let us stop traffic for a few minutes while she ate the berries.
When she finally moved off the road, the bush was still blocking the lane so Carl went over to push it out of the way. As he grappled with the bush, it was wet. Carl thought at first that it was sap but then realized it was bear saliva. Definitely better than getting the saliva directly from the bear!

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Friday, September 13, 2013

Moose Ponds Hike

Hi All,

We slept late this morning then went for a short hike to the Moose Ponds near the south end of Jenny Lake.

Here's one of the ponds. There is a beaver lodge on the far shore.


The aspen trees are beginning to turn gold, at least the ones not cut down by the beavers.

We ate our picnic lunch along the shore of Jenny Lake with Rock Chuck peak in the distance.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Wildlife Drive

Hi All,

Today was a typical Thursday, chores, shopping & Internet.

After dinner we went on a wildlife drive. Two miles from the campground we saw a beautiful bull moose with bare antlers. The velvet had been scraped off on preparation for the rut.

We then drove up Teton Park Road looking for Elk. 

First we saw this interesting sunset cloud formation around Grand Teton.


Further up the road we spotted Walt & Betty's truck parked near a bull elk and 11 cow harem. We got some good views through the spotting scope.
This guy bugled at another male about 300 yards away.

We were delighted to hear that Walt & Betty have decided to return to the Elk Refuge next year.

Love 

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone