2020 Teton Moose

The campground has been full every night with folks even in the overflow area. The moose have been slow to come in but a couple of mornings ago one bull was near my trailer so I got some nice images of him. The bulls will rub their antlers on shrubs to remove the velvet, and sometimes as a show of strength or threat, I think. The recent snowstorm means a lot of loose branches on the ground which look rather like bushes to them. This fellow picked up one branch, shook it loose them found a much larger one but didn’t get tangled up with it.

A couple of mornings later there was a cow and calf nearby. I’ve found it difficult to get nice images of a cow and calf but this morning it was worth the effort.

All images©jeanclarkphotography.com

Click here for more images

2020 Teton Elk

 

Here in the Tetons there is a spot I often go to in the evenings. It overlooks a couple of little ponds with a stream running in front of the tree line. Moose can sometimes be seen there along with deer, coyotes, and elk. Usually the elk are so far away you really need binoculars or a spotting scope. However one recent evening there was a bull with his harem much closer so I was able to get some nice images of him and the cows. He was quite active moving among them and bugling.

Once in a while he would jus stop and survey the area. On other occasions he would chase a cow.

Watching the animals in the wild is special, being able to see them interact makes me appreciate them and this wonderful country so much.

 

 

All images ©jeanclarkphotography.com

Click here for more images

2020 Tetons early

The full moon provided some good light at a couple of my favorite spots.

Moonlight on the Tetons

A few of the moose have been around but the campers are more numerous. I’ve never been in this area for Labor Day weekend and it is so totally different than after the holiday.

A moose cow has been around a bit but it’s easy to tell she’s not happy with all the activity. She’s very protective of her calf.

A few Bulls have been spotted but it means getting up and out very early. It can be pretty chilly, too. Some still have a lot of the velvet on their antlers. They rub the antlers on the bushes to remove it and sharpen the points. Sometimes the foliage gets caught in the antlers.

An hour or so later and they may well have laid down for a long period.  

Catching them in the sunlight really shows up their good condition.

2020 CO and WY, 1

On this trip west I returned to a NFS campground in Colorado that I first visited in August 2017.The election is about 9300′ so it was very pleasant after  the extreme  heat  to  get  there. There  are  some  interesting  birds there,including the  Western  Tanager  and  Stellar  Jay.  Both  photos  were  taken  through  the trailer  window  so  not  the  best.  I even saw a bit of wildlife in the form of numerous chipmunks and a marmot.

 

The goal was to get to the Tetons and it’s wonderful to be back here. The first night was very clear so the pull of the night sky won out. What a spectacular view of the Milky Way.

Two  morning later when I got the dogs out I looked across the main drive and there was a bull moose grazing on the willows! He  kept  looking  off  a  ways  so  I thought  there  might  be  another moose  around.  Sure  enough,  there  was  a  cow.

 

 

 

All images © jeanclarkphotography.com

2020 Apache Junction, AZ

After leaving CA we headed east to the Apache Junction area of AZ. We had a few days before checking into Lost Dutchman SP so we headed up the mountains to Tortilla Flats NFS campground. What a nice campground in a spectacular setting. Great views all around. One day we drove down into town, stopping at nearly every pullout to see the views. The mountains are home to some Desert Bighorn Sheep and we got to see a few of them.

From Tortilla Flats we moved down to Lost Dutchman SP. The mountains are visible from everywhere in the park. Looking out a window of the trailer and seeing them was a never-ending delight. Several friends were camping in the park and we managed a few get togethers before we all headed out. Other treats included lots of good places to shop and the huge flea market in Mesa.

One day a few of us went out into the desert to see some wild horses. This particular area has some pretty impressive Saguaro cactus, too. We spotted at least 3 bands and were able to watch one for a while. Watching the horses interact a bit was interesting. There were 3 stallions grazing a ways off from the band we were closest to (which included some foals). When the boys started moving closer one of the mares trotted out and greeted each of them, with a bit of a squeal and sniff. She seemed to make it clear they were not to come too close and she left satisfied she had done her job.

 

 

Click here for more images

2019 Tetons Final

Fall colors in the Tetons are not the same as in NH but they offer their own special touches.   Add in a bit of snow on the mountains and it’s really special.  

Not only are there moose around but if you get up very early and can locate some elk you my be treated to watching a bull elk taking care of his harem (this means watching over the cows and driving away rivals) and bugling.

As the moose rut progressed the bulls were getting more active. One morning we got to watch this bull drive away a younger one then chase the early cow first i n one direction then in another. They were moving at good speed and sent some photographers running. They can turn on a dime and are as agile as a lot of horses.

Down by the river the willows grow very tall and thick. This provides food for the moose and also hides them very well. I tend to not go into the willows, you never know what may be in there with you!

 

©Jeanclarkphotography.com, email for terms of use

Click here for more images

2019 Tetons, more moose

Still in the Tetons and enjoying the moose Had a clear night recently so I went out to see if I could capture the Milky Way. As always out here it is spectacular and humbling.

Catching the moose has been a test of patience. They’re wild animals so where & when they will be visible is unpredictable. Being able to watch them is always a joy.

 

There is a river nearby and they tend to head towards it, the feeding is good there with the willows. But the willows are tall and thick so simply wandering in them to look for a moose is unwise. Fortunately when they decided to cross the river there was a wide clear spot upstream where we could watch.

Click here for more images

© Jean Clark, 2019(or earlier), email for Terms of Use

2019 Teton Moose, week one

Handsome bull
© Jean Clark, 2019(or earlier), email for Terms of Use

Another September in the Tetons watching moose. I’ve been here a week and had some great opportunities so far. When I arrived it was very warm but that ended with a few rainy days and now it is clear and cold. Frost on the van windows the last two mornings. The rain down her bright new snow to the mountain tops.

 

The three bulls
© Jean Clark, 2019(or earlier), email for Terms of Use

The moose count has varied, one day 4 bulls and 4 cows, but mostly we’ve seen 3 bulls and a couple of cows. This morning it’s down to 1 bull and 2 cows. Not sure if he’s driven the other bulls off or what.

When the 3 bulls were here they were all sparring together with one exception, see the photos for more info.

The cows seem more active, watching people and chasing each other at times. We have to be very aware of where the animals are because they are big and fast and can get pretty darn frustrated this time of year. Watching a bull

Early morning
© Jean Clark, 2019(or earlier), email for Terms of Use

thrash away at a bush then jumping around and trotting away can give you an glimpse of that. They are surprisingly agile given their size. Watching a cow chase another one away or a bull chase a cow brings home the fact these are not sedate harmless critters they are big and fast and not much will stop them.

All three bulls
© Jean Clark, 2019(or earlier), email for Terms of Use

Click here for more images

2019 Yellowstone day and night

I spent some time in Yellowstone in late August, moving from Mammoth area to Madison Junction then to Canyon Village. Managed to see some bison and get some nice images at night also.

 

It  was  warmer  than  I  was  hoping for but  all  went  well  

 

Click here for more images

2018 Valley of Fire SP, NV

A few friends have been to this state park and had glowing reports so this fall on my way south I decided to stop there. It’s not a large area but has some really nice views and scenery. It reminds me of what a cross between Arches NP or some of the other UT NPs and City of Rocks SP in NM might be like. Many of the rocks have the coloring of the UT parks, but the size and the fact that the campsites are located in in among the rocks reminds me of the NM state park. There are plenty of places to hike and lots of very little “arches” to view. Maybe someday some of those mini-arches will be bigger?

There are some Desert Bighorn Sheep there, rather regal looking the way their horns are set on.

 

© Jean Clark, 2019, email for Terms of Use