Friday, Jan 17. (It’s my sister Natalie’s birthday, our reason for being here.)

Day began as the last two. A 40 minute drive to our first restroom stop, still in partial darkness. (No electricity; smartphone flashlights are wonderful). As we were driving out, our guide (Josh) spoke with a watcher who remarked that there seemed to be activity on the northern hill. We parked again and waited for more light. Noticed both coyote and wolf footprints, which was a great way to compare sizes. Saint Bernard versus beagle.

As light came we saw wolves making their way up the hill. Josh was able to identify the pack’s name and number. Through our scopes we followed their route. There was a lot of back and forth movement among the faster ones to stay together. Josh was unsure whether they were on the hunt or had just eaten, though he leaned towards the latter. After they passed over the hill we loaded up and moved to the other side of the hill and river to a promontory that had an ideal view.

It was marvelous. Besides a near two hour view of the wolves, saw an eagle, two huge ravens, and a coyote. Not to mention glorious vistas. Snow feel intermittently, but the temperature was never too cold. I got some adequate (amateur) videos, which I will have to use for a Youtube show someday.

Lunch was followed by a lecture about the collars they put on some wolves and how the wolves and packs are monitored. Some sobering thoughts about the very wolf-unfriendly neighbors of the Park. During the talk the wind picked up remarkably. Yoriko picked the worst time to use the restroom, which was about 50 yards away. Suffered a whiteout on her return, but made it back without any missed turns.

We passed on the afternoon snowshoe hike and just drove east. Found several snow-covered bison, a huge moose, and four mountain goats, two of whom were having a staring contest. Got a great photo of one on his rear legs. On our return towards the hotel stopped to look at the frozen outer layer of a waterfall.

Overall, it was an incredible day. The evening included a beer-pairing dinner which fell short of my satisfaction. There is a host of foods that just don’t go with beer.

Tomorrow we fly home. Expecting no excitement. My next post will be from Johannesburg, South Africa on Jan 29th. Out of the freezer and into the frying pan. Bison beef will give way to water buffalo. Wolves transforms into lions.

These are a great number of photos from Thursday and Friday. A video will come later this week.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•