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 July 25, 2009:
Today, I took in a family of four for a
Grand Loop Tour. We saw the Ruddy Ducks, with their
bright blue bills at Floating Island and a nearly silver
colored Grizzly on Dunraven Pass. Hayden Valley was a
busy place, the big bull bison are starting to push the
cows around, testosterone is flowing as they prepare for
their mating season. The Herons in the rookery on the
Yellowstone River are nearly grown. It started to
sprinkle, but it was still clear enough to see the
Tetons from Shoshone Lake overlook. The clouds broke at
Old Faithful and the eruption was spectacular against
the bright blue sky. The Paint Pots are nearly dry and
it was fun to watch the mud shoot five feet into the air
as the bubbles burst in the thick slurry of mud. We did
have to wait a while just past the Madison Junction a
pair of cow bison with their calves were walking down
the middle of the road, and there was a small wait for
the road construction at Gibbon Falls.
 July 21, 2009:
Today was an extraordinary day in
Yellowstone. I picked up a couple from New York at Cooke
City and we headed into the park. We first stopped at Barronett Peak and were able to find three mountain
goats. One of them was this year’s offspring. We left
with them grazing peacefully high above on the slopes.
We had not traveled a quarter of a mile and we were
treated to a black bear feeding along the roadway. The
bear went into the trees so we continued on and having
gone only a small distance there along the creek was a
mother grizzly with three cubs. What a treat! It was fun
watching the little ones stand up, hardly taller than
the grass they were playing in. A crowd began to gather
which made the mother nervous so she gathered up her
young and walked over a small hill out of sight. Two
miles further down the road was another black bear
feeding on flowers in a meadow. We then traveled into
Lamar Valley and spent time photographing large herds of
bison. Pronghorn were posing along the roadside and we
saw a bald eagle on a tree overlooking the Lamar River.
Once through Lamar Valley we headed up Antelope Creek
and watched two more black bears. These were an adult
and yearling together. From that point we went on up
into the area of Mount Washburn and spotted over 20 big
horn sheep feeding on a hillside. Moving on we crossed
through Hayden Valley and stopped at the Blue Heron
rookery that is on an island in the Yellowstone River.
The young herons are fun to watch as they show
themselves over the edge of the nest. On our return
route back to Cooke City we saw another black bear in
Antelope Creek. This one was cinnamon in color. This was
a day that will always be in our memory.
June 13, 2009:
Met a couple from Wyoming at Tower
Junction this morning. They had been in the park many
times but had never been on a wildlife tour and were
excited about what we might find during the day. The day
seemed to go by fast but it was successful. We saw two
wolves from the Agate Pack, and a mother grizzly with a
cub. We watched in amazement as big horn sheep traveled
the very steep canyon slopes of the Yellowstone River in
the area called the Narrows. Elk, bison, a bald eagle,
osprey, and coyotes were also a part of our viewing
pleasure for the day.
 June 8, 2009:
Took a family of four on a tour to the
interior of the park on what we call our
geyser/waterfall tour. We left Gardiner headed to the
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone to see the waterfalls. On
the way over we got to see two black bears in the
Antelope Creek area. This indeed was an added bonus. We
spent the rest of the day in the thermal basin area,
watching Old Faithful erupt and walking the boardwalk
areas, enjoying the many different colorful pools and
geysers. It was a very good day in Yellowstone.
June 1, 2009:
Spent the day in the park with a couple
from Georgia. Their desire was to see wildlife and they
were able to do that. It was a great day. We were able
to see two wolves in the Lamar Valley. They were members
of the Druid Peak pack. We also saw a mating pair of
black bears at Petrified Tree, another black bear in
Lamar Valley, a large big horn ram along the Yellowstone
River, a cow and calf moose by the Trout Lake trailhead,
and bull elk along Lava Creek drainage area.
 May 1st through May 7th, 2009:
I assisted another
interpretive guide on a seven day outing. It was a group
from overseas and during the seven days we spent time in
Yellowstone Park and Grand Teton Park. We had great
wildlife viewing. Over the seven days we saw twelve
wolves, four grizzly bears, one black bear, eighteen
mountain goats, 30 big horn sheep and twenty-three
moose. Most of the moose were in the Tetons. This area
is some of the best moose viewing in the eco-system. We
also saw a Great Gray owl, bison, elk, pronghorn, mule
deer, whitetail deer, trumpeter swans, beavers, muskrat,
osprey bald eagles, golden eagle, Great Blue herons, sandhill cranes, coyotes, sage grouse, and many species
of hawks and waterfowl. Early spring is definitely a
great time to be in Yellowstone country if you like
seeing wildlife. I do not want to overlook the awesome
scenery and other features we were also able to enjoy.
These were the thermal areas of Yellowstone, the Grand
Canyon area of Yellowstone and the majestic peaks of the
Tetons. I do not know a better way to spend a week.
April 25, 2009:
 I had a couple on tour for two days
from Texas. We did a wildlife tour and our
geyser/waterfall tour during that time. We had good
success with the wolves being able to see wolves from
two different packs. They were from the Blacktail Pack
and Canyon pack. We saw a total of eleven wolves. Both
packs were feeding on carcasses. We also saw a grizzly
bear, big horn sheep, elk, bison, bald eagles, and
coyotes. There was still a lot of snow in the Old
Faithful area which made the viewing of the springs and
geysers even more dramatic.
February 18, 2009:
It is winter wildlife viewing time
which is one of the best times to see wildlife in
Yellowstone. The only species that would most likely not
be sighted would be bears. Today I took out a group that
traveled over on snowmobiles from the Jackson Hole area
to do a wildlife tour. During our time in the field we
saw six wolves very close in the area of the Yellowstone
River by Tower Junction. The group had great photo
opportunities. We also saw a total of twenty-three big
horn rams, some in Lamar Valley and the rest along the
Gardiner River, just outside of the town of Gardiner,
which is the north gate to Yellowstone. Bull elk, bison,
coyotes, and bald eagles were also a part of our viewing
pleasure.
 February 8, 2009:
A winter wonderland day in the park
with great wildlife viewing. I was able to show my group
today thirteen of the Druid Peak pack. They were
traveling through the deep snow in Lamar Valley putting
on a great show as they moved single file across the
ridges in front of us. We also saw many big horn rams at
the confluence of the Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek.
They were close and photo opportunities were great. Bull
elk, bison, and coyotes helped round out a magnificent
day.
 January 31, 2009:
It was another great day in the winter range for
wildlife viewing, again with return clients, a group of
firemen from New Jersey. There was a group of 3 wolves
atop a knoll north of the Lamar River prior to reaching
Lamar Valley. They were bedded, enjoying the sunshine.
At the confluence of the Lamar River and Soda Butte
creek we were busy watching and photographing big horn
rams as they fed on the south slope of the hillside. All
of a sudden the rams jumped and began bounding away
through the deep snow and to our surprise from behind a
low hill came a coyote in hot pursuit. This is very
unusual as a coyote weighs 35 pounds maximum and the
rams up to 300 pounds and can be very aggressive. They
easily outdistanced the coyote and went and stood on a
rock ledge as the coyote continued toward them
struggling through the deep snow. He soon gave up and
went on his way, perhaps in search of a meal more in the
range he could handle, like a vole or mouse hiding under
the snow. I believe the coyote must have forgotten for a
moment his station in the winter range when he made that
dash toward sharp hooves and the potential of a very
convincing head butt from the ram.
 January 26-27, 2009:
I spent two days with return clients from last year that
enjoyed the winter range and were back for more. Over
the two days we were able to watch 19 wolves from two
different packs.
The Druids put on a special show on the 27th in the
Lamar Valley. As we were watching them on the slopes
south of the Lamar River the wolves went out of sight
behind a herd of approximately 15 large bull elk. These
bulls apparently were not the Druids main interest. As
the wolves disappeared the elk moved down hill. We
noticed big horn sheep bounding down hill on the steep
slopes of the area known as the ski slope. Right behind
them, guess who? The Druids were the reason for the
sheep’s quick downhill descent. The wolves were able to
stop on the edge and watched the sheep below, now safe
from further harassment from those pesky wolves.
Over the two days we also watched bald eagles on carcass
sites, bull elk, bison, coyotes, and big horn sheep in
the Lamar Valley as well as the Gardner River canyon.
The clients return visit was exciting and eventful. It
seems the winter range is never disappointing if we take
the time to truly embrace it.
December 24, 2008 (Christmas Eve day):
I went into the field today with a group from Jackson,
WY. It was crisp in the early morning but clear. It was
going to be a great day for watching wildlife.
 We were not disappointed. Between Mammoth Hot Springs
and Tower Junction is an area known as Geode Creek and
our first goal for the early morning was to see the
grizzly bear that was still out. Yes, December 24th, and
a grizzly out and about. He was where I thought he would
be and that was on a carcass that he had been working on
for the last 4 days. Just as it was getting light enough
to see we saw movement and Mr. Grizzly came out of the
brush. He had a seat next to another van. The passengers
were still seated safely in the van and were excited as
was to be expected. The bear then crossed the road at a
lope and went immediately to the elk carcass in easy
viewing distance and continued with his feeding ritual.
It was great watching and perhaps a once in a lifetime
experience seeing a bear that late in this country. We
enjoyed him for some time and then continued on out to
the Lamar Valley where we watched big horn rams on the
slopes. We also saw many elk, bison, and coyotes. On the
way back in we were able to find and view, as well as
photograph large bull elk in the Lava Creek area.
Simply put, it was a very special and amazing day in
Yellowstone.
September 4, 2008:
Today I had a private group of 12 persons that wanted
the opportunity to view the wolves of Yellowstone. It
was a chilly morning as we made our way to Lamar Valley.
At the first light of dawn we were on the hill
overlooking the rendezvous area of the Druid Pack. It
was a great choice as we were able to watch 23 Druids
throughout the morning, howling, socializing, playing
and just hanging out. An added bonus was the arrival of
a young bull moose, judging by the antler size he was
probably a 2 year old. He wandered into the rendezvous
area and at times was close to the wolves, which seemed
totally uninterested in his presence. We sighted bison
and pronghorn antelope in the area and some elk and big
horn sheep on the high ridges.
August 30, 2008:
I had a couple today that while here last year had hiked
to the top of “Cardiac Hill” to view the Slough Creek
wolf pack. Their primary goal was to see wolves again.
We spent most of the morning on the hill overlooking the
Druid Pack rendezvous site. We watched a total of 16
Druids. There was much playing with the pups,
socializing as the adult wolves came into the area and
yes, sleeping. On the way out of that area we were also
fortunate to see two Slough Creek wolves west of the
Lamar Canyon.
August 22, 2008:
The days and viewing are great in the Lamar Valley/Tower
Junction area. I had the opportunity to spend the day
with a grandfather that brought his granddaughter to
Yellowstone country in hopes of seeing the wolves of
Yellowstone. It was an awesome day. As it was getting
light we saw a grizzly bear in the Boulder area as we
traveled to Lamar Valley and the rendezvous site of the
Druid wolf pack. Getting up and out early was well worth
it. While in the field that day we saw 24 Druid wolves,
a total of 5 grizzly bears, a pair of bald eagles on a
dead cottonwood along the Lamar River, a beaver out for
a leisurely swim, and 2 mountain goats on Barronette
Peak.
August 21, 2008:
I met 4 clients at Tower Junction this morning. Main
goal today was to try and see wolves and bears. Before
the day was over it would be a huge success story. We
left Tower and crossed the Yellowstone River headed to
Lamar Valley where the Druid wolf pack was back in the
valley at their old rendezvous site.
As we got to the area known as Boulders we took time for
a quick stop at a bison carcass site. It was barely
light enough to see but there feeding on the carcass was
a grizzly bear. With the dim light it made it seem
almost ghostlike and added to the excitement of finding
a bear so soon and close enough to see even in the low
light. Leaving the bear was with mixed emotions but we
headed on to Lamar and the rendezvous site.
It was a good choice. It is best to view the rendezvous
area by climbing a hill to overlook the Lamar River and
the site to the south. Up we went. In a short time we
were watching 21 Druid wolves and 5 grizzly bears. One
of the female grizzlies had a set of last year’s twins
with her and was close to the road and river, examining
an old carcass. It was a great view. Further out moving
from the area was another grizzly heading to the tree
line to the south. Grizzly bear number 5 was another
story. It was in the area of the rendezvous site and the
wolves were none too pleased. It was awesome to watch as
the adult wolves circled the bear and when able charge
and nip at the heels, all the time working to drive the
bear in the opposite direction from the pups in the
area. It took some time and had everyone on the edge of
their seats so to speak as the drama played out.
Eventually the grizzly had enough and left to the tree
line and the wolves came back seeming to be holding
their heads high as their success.
You never know what you are going to see when you are in
Lamar Valley, but it never seems to be dull.
August 13, 2008:
An early start this morning from Gardiner, I left before
daylight with a couple coming to Yellowstone for a
wildlife tour. Just as it was getting light we arrived
at the Boulders area near the Yellowstone River
crossing. There was a bison carcass north of the road
and in easy viewing. Luck was with us as there were 8
Slough Pack wolves taking advantage of the bison carcass
and feeding in the early light of pre-dawn. As we were
enjoying the wolves we were rewarded with an additional
bonus. A black bear came from the Lamar River corridor
and up to the carcass site. There were many viewers and
the bear did not stay long but gave a great photo
opportunities before crossing the road and heading
south. The wolves retired to the foothills to rest after
their meal so we headed further toward the Lamar Valley.
We did not make it very far before we noticed a black
bear as we approached the Lamar River. As we watched it
swam the river and after seemingly checking the area for
other wildlife he made a direct route to another bison
carcass on the river bank. We watched for a long time in
good range, even for photos for the group. Bears have
amazing strength. Even though this was a black bear it
was able to actually move the carcass of the large
bison. With the day winding down we headed toward the
Mammoth area and were again rewarded with a close up of
another black bear at Floating Island.
 July 7, 2008: At Lava Creek we saw a bull elk in
velvet grazing along the road. Pronghorn antelope and
bison with calves are scattered along the way as we head
up to Slough Creek. Only one black colored gray wolf is
visible, but we were treated to a glimpse of a gold
eagle chick in it’s nest. Further into Lamar Valley we
found a grizzly sow and 2 cubs from this year along the
trees. A badger made it’s way through the sagebrush. A
sub-adult bald eagle was perched in a snag along the
Lamar River.
July 4, 2008: Traveled on a Grand Loop Tour with
4 couples. Saw a massive six point bull elk at Lava
Creek with his antlers encased in velvet. Going up
Dunraven pass a black bear had created quite a traffic
jam. Good chance to photograph him. The Upper and Lower
Falls of the Yellowstone are still raging with all the
snow pack melting this late in the season. We ate lunch
at a quiet spot on the divide between Yellowstone Lake
and Old Faithful. An ice cream treat was enjoyed while
we waited for Old Faithful to erupt then off to Fountain
Paint Pots and back to Mammoth to end the day.
 June 25, 2008: Family of four with boys age 7 and
9 on a Grand Loop. We watched the Sand Hill Cranes at
Floating Island, then a pair of black bears at Petrified
Tree. One of the bears was cinnamon colored the other
was black, this is not unusual in Yellowstone. Stopped
at Calcite Springs and looked at the osprey nest, saw
two chicks and one adult. As we traveled up Dunraven we
saw a black bear on one side of the road and a young
grizzly on the other. An eagle soared above while we
viewed the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone at
Canyon. In Hayden Valley a crowd had gathered to watch a
wolf sleeping across the river. He would lift his head
to check us out and then go back to his nap. The boys
got a kick out of visiting the “stinkiest place” in
Yellowstone, on a warm day the sulfur really smells at
Mud Volcano. Lunch was enjoyed at a pull out on
Yellowstone Lake. While at Old Faithful we saw Castle
Geyser, Lion Geyser as well as Old Faithful erupt.
June 18, 2008: Up before dawn to do a Wildlife
Tour. We watched wolves from both the Druid and Slough
Creek packs. The Sloughs were near their den site,
caught glimpses of the lone pup born this year. The
Druids were traveling near Soda Butte. We spotted 11
bears at various locations in Lamar Valley. At
Barronette we watched through our spotting scopes as the
Mountain Goats fed on the steep cliffs. Big Horn Sheep
ewes and lambs were on the canyon walls at Calcite
Springs.
 June
16, 2008: On the way in to look for wolves we
stopped to see the Sand Hill Cranes at Floating Island
and found a bull moose. At Slough Creek we watched 6
wolves near the den sight. They were playing with the
lone pup of the year. Mountain Goats and their kids were
grazing on Barronette Peak. At Tower we saw two black
bears and the osprey on the nest at Calcite Springs. On
the way back we saw big horn sheep at Wrecker pullout.
June 1, 2008: In early for a Wildlife tour, girls
day out two adult daughters and their mother. It is
barely light as we get to Floating Island, the Sand Hill
is tucked down on her nest. What a treat, we find three
moose at Petrified Tree, two young bulls and a cow. They
walk towards us as they graze, great photos. At the
Slough Creek wolf den we catch sight of the pup and it’s
“babysitters” through the scope. We find a few big horn
sheep high on the cliffs on both sides of the Hitching
Rail pullout. At Barronette Peak we find 4 Mountain
goats with their kids. On the way back to Gardiner we
stop again at Floating Island to find a cow moose and
her calf lying on the bank. The Sand Hill Crane stands
and turns her egg, then settles back down on top of it.
Another great day in Yellowstone.
May 19, 2008: At daybreak near Phantom Lake we
find a black bear, three black bears at Petrified Tree.
A single black bear and a mating pair. On the north side
of the road as we approached Tower Junction another
black bear was feeding. We spot a grizzly at the base of
Specimen Ridge. At the Slough Creek den sight eight
wolves are in sight, including the lone pup. On
Barronette Peak we find one mountain goat. At Calcite
Springs we stop to check the osprey nest and find a big
horn ewe and lamb. Good wildlife viewing for the group
of four.
 May
6, 2008: As we enter the Black Tail Ponds area we
spot 5 of the Leopold wolf pack in pursuit of a bull
elk. They caught him, but he fought, striking at them
with his hooves and they gave up and moved on. After
this exciting scene we proceeded in and watched a
grizzly feeding on an elk carcass at Wrecker Turnout. Up
at Soda Butte we watched a single Druid pack wolf in the
meadow, he was black in color, feeding on an old
carcass. On our way back out of the park there were two
Big Horn Rams near Wrecker Turn out, the grizzly was out
of sight.
4/26/08: We spent the day with friends from
Jackson today out in the Lamar/Tower area. It was an
exciting day for all of us as we saw 2 grizzlies today,
the first of the year. The Sloughs were also busy. We
watched the grizzlies and wolves from the same location.
Not a bad way to spend the morning. Friends and mega
fauna.
4/22/08: It was another great touring day in the
winter range of Yellowstone. The group with me were
treated to seeing a total of 20 wolves from 3 separate
packs. They saw Sloughs, Druids, and Ox-Bow. They also
enjoyed spending time photographing the nice Big Horn
rams at Junction Butte.
4/8/08: Took out a group of three today, leaving
before daylight to get to the Lamar Valley area. Another
cold morning but as the day unfolded it was worth it.
Our first excitement was in the area of Specimen Ridge
trailhead. As we traveled toward Lamar Valley we noticed
a red fox in a fast trot with a lone coyote not far
behind. They crossed the road right in front of us. The
fox then stopped, sat down in the snow. The coyote did
the same and they just stared at each other, perhaps
thinking that was way too much energy wasted. The coyote
got up, crossed back over the road and the fox, as if on
cue got up and followed the coyote. They went over the
hill and out of sight leaving us wondering what that was
all about. We were able to locate the some of the
members of the Druid wolf pack at the Footbridge and
Hitching Rail. The Druid pups, were feeding on a winter
kill carcass which was quite close to the road. As they
were feeding the coyotes were waiting their turn. A gold
eagle arrived landing in a Douglas Fir snag, waiting its
turn at the carcass. Another Druid pup approached the
area along the cliffs and for a moment entertained the
idea of walking a cliff ledge to get closer to 3 bighorn
rams that were taking in the nearby events. The pup
thought better of it and continued to the feeding site.
It was great viewing for a long time and many photo
opportunities also presented themselves.
2/1/08: We had great wolf watching today. Saw two
different packs, the Druids and the Agates. A total of
24 wolves for the day. Three large big horn rams also
provided many minutes of quality time at Wrecker
Pullout. They were very photogenic. As we traveled in
the large bull elk were there for all to see, as if to
say what took you so long to get back here. It was
another great and exciting day in Yellowstone.
1/27/08: We were treated with getting to view and
spend time with all 16 of the Druid pack today in the
area of Soda Butte. It does not always happen that we
see all of a pack at once so this was a special treat.
Bull elk were in the Lava Creek area. There are probably
few places to see big bulls in these numbers all in one
day. It was great. Today we saw big horn rams, ewes, and
lambs at the confluence in Lamar Valley. It was also
nice to see so many and so close. It was another banner
day in Yellowstone.
1/21/08: It is definitely wintertime in
Wonderland. There have been many days with snow, little
sunshine and a biting wind. Though this sounds bleak and
perhaps not for everyone. Today we saw 21 different
wolves, comprising the Druid pack, an unknown gray
colored wolf that had ventured into their territory, as
well as another group of wolves closer to Slough Creek
area.. There are 4 in this group. They will receive a
pack designation if they have pups in the spring. Saw 7
bull elk in the Lava Creek area today as well as 4 nice
big horn rams at Junction Butte on the Yellowstone
River.
1/11/08: It was a spectacular wolf day. The group
from New Hampshire saw a total of 29 wolves. The packs
were the Agates and Druids. The Agate pack area is in
the Tower Junction area and the Druids were once again
in the Soda Butte area where they have been spending
much of the winter. This is great because it has allowed
for some close viewing. We also enjoyed the chance to
watch big horn rams along the Yellowstone River and bull
elk with their majestic racks. They were in the Lava
Creek area where many spend the winter.
1/09/08: Watched the Druid pack in the Soda Butte
area today, as well as a lone gray colored wolf that has
ventured into the area but is not a Druid. He is living
dangerously being in a pack’s living room and not being
invited. We saw 17 total wolves. On our way back
to the Mammoth area we watched bull elk at Black Tail
ponds. The big horn sheep had come down off Mount
Everetts into the Gardiner canyon. They often come down
to get to water and were next to the road. It is an
exciting experience to watch them travel down the
extremely steep slope of the mountain and act as if they
were on flat ground.
1/2/08: The new year has arrived and a new and
exciting winter season in Yellowstone. A family of 6
from Tennessee joined me today in the winter range and
their long journey proved not to be in vain. They saw 18
wolves from 2 separate packs as well as a lone gray not
with any designated pack. We also got to see a golden
eagle which is always a treat. Another great day.
Click
Here To Access Archived Tour News From 2007
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I
was so impressed with Rick's knowledge of the Park and his skill in
knowing the behavior of animals... Now, my wife and I along with our
three children had toured the Park many times over the years, but we
always did it the same way: kids and baggage loaded in the car, a
drive through east to west or north to south and a lot of "point and
shoot" photography. Not that there is anything wrong with that
approach; except one misses some of the vast beauty and very unique
character of Yellowstone National Park... You will have a great
experience arranging a tour with Yellowstone Yearround Adventures.
If you have children or grandchildren with you, they will be
enriched by the knowledge and skill of Rick Keats and his tour
guiding. And, all of you
participating will clearly see more, learn more, and have a very
positive experience letting someone else do the driving, help with
supervision around the wild animals, and prepare your picnic lunch.