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 12/22/07: Watched the Druid pack north of the road by
Trout Lake, close to where they were the day before. Not
much activity as they were bedded on the ridge. A little
play by the pups.
The bull elk are still at Lava Creek, some today were
close enough for great photo opportunities as they
grazed close in the area of Blacktail Ponds.
Big horn sheep grazing on McMinn Bench above Gardiner
canyon. Went west of the arch on the old road and found
pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and whitetail deer.
12/21/07: Druid wolf pack were south of Soda Butte this
morning. We watched as they socialized and they put on a
grand performance of howling which echoed off the cliffs
above them increasing the magnificence of the
performance.
As we watched they started traveling east in groups and
sometimes singles and eventually crossed the road and
went to a carcass site on the north side of the roadway.
They were close enough one did not need optics for
viewing.
Part of the day was also spent watching the large bull
elk at Lava Creek and the big horn sheep in Gardiner
canyon.
12/4/07: Spent the day with a couple from Florida that
came north to view wildlife in Yellowstone during winter
season.
The day was quite rewarding as we saw not one but two
packs of wolves, these being the Druids and Slough Creek
packs. We saw a total of 23 wolves this day and we were
treated to the Druids putting on a howling show.
The big horn sheep were in the Gardiner river canyon and
also spotted some large rams on Specimen Ridge between
Tower Junction and Lamar Valley.
Found 4 large bull elk at Black Tail Creek and they
posed nicely for photos.
It was another great day.
11/20/07: Spent the day in the field with a couple from
Texas.
We watched the Agate pack in the Tower Junction area.
They were resting on an open hillside but once in awhile
one or two would get up and move a short distance to a
carcass and feed.
Back in Mammoth we stopped at Pallette terrace and went
up the boardwalk.
There was a black wolf pup standing watching us, tired
of that and picked up a bone from a carcass and walked
up the hill and out of sight.
Really close and an awesome experience. The couple was
highly pleased and many photos were taken.
On leaving the terraces we proceeded down the Gardiner
canyon and located 8 big horn sheep rams watching us
from the cliffs.
 11/06/07: With the interior of the park closing down in
preparation for winter season and over snow vehicles our
touring turns exclusively to winter wildlife tours on
the northern range. This is the area from Gardiner to
Cooke City and points in between.
Today my client was treated to having the opportunity to
watch 14 of the Agate wolf pack and as an added bonus we
got to hear them do a group howling.
Throughout the day we were able to locate and enjoy
several other species of wildlife.
These included 20 bighorn sheep, 1 mountain goat on
Barronette Peak, 3 bald eagles in Lamar area, coyotes,
mule deer, elk, bison, pronghorn antelope, mule deer and
a rare treat of getting to see a small herd of white
tail deer in the area of Tower Junction.
11/03/07: Spent a good part of the morning watching the
Druid pack in Lamar Valley in the area of the Institute.
They were feeding on an elk carcass on the edge of the
Lamar River. Their meal was interrupted by the arrival
of a grizzly that went right to the carcass, scattering
the Druids in the process. It was fun to watch the
interaction as the wolves would try to distract the
grizzly and give another wolf the opportunity to sneak
in and get a bite or pull some meat from the carcass and
make a hasty retreat.
This went on for quite sometime before the grizzly left
the carcass, waded the river and bedded down on the
other side close to the carcass. He must have been full
as the wolves were able to move onto the carcass and
resume feeding without any interference from the bear.
As if on que the wolves gathered and left the area up
river and not long after the grizzly also left, leaving
the carcass to the coyotes and ravens.
The drama was very exciting for sometime and appreciated
by all that got to witness it.
On our way back to Gardiner we were able to locate and
watch the big horn sheep on the cliffs in the Gardiner
canyon as they worked their way down the steep cliffs to
the river to drink.
 10-26-07: Went into the park today and just inside the
north gate less than a mile spotted 16 big horn sheep
rams on the hillside coming down to water at the
Gardiner River. It is also getting to the time of the
year for their mating season so they were also doing
some fairly aggressive posturing and head butting. The
sharp “crack” sound as they crashed together was very
clear between the canyon sides.
Located one nice bull elk still with his harem not far
above the sheep on the Gardiner River. Also watched a
pair of mature bald eagles perched on a snag along the
Madison River. Bison and elk were also along the Madison
River. It was a very enjoyable few hours in
“Wonderland”.
10/12-16/07: I spent the last five days in the field with
another outfitter, assisting him with a tour. We stayed
2 nights at Signal Mountain Lodge in the Tetons and 2
nights at Old Faithful. Spent some time at the Ox-Bow
section of the Snake River while in the Tetons and were
able to locate and enjoy beaver, muskrat, and also a
family of River Otters.
The elk were moving onto the refuge on the north side of
Jackson. I counted one herd of 58 bull elk together.
Quite a sight.
Enjoyed the time at Old Faithful area and the adjoining
basins. The group were treated to a lot of great geyser
activity. They were able to see Grand Geyser, Riverside,
Castle, Grotto, Grottos Fountain, and of course the
signature geyser of the area, Old Faithful.
 9-30-07: Took a return client into Yellowstone today. We
spent a lot of time watching and my client photographing
the elk at Mammoth. They were bugling and working hard
to keep their harems of cows together. The sound of a
bugling bull elk early on a fall morning is a great
experience and always remembered.
A black bear was gathering quite a crowd close to Tower
and she was fun to watch.
Found another one later in the day just above Tower
Junction.
Also a nice herd of bison right at Tower Junction and
created a minor traffic jam as they decided to travel
the old stage road.
We later traveled to the Narrows by Tower Junction and
the big horn sheep were right close to the road area so
again another great photo opportunity.
Spotted a grizzly on Mount Washburn and found several
mountain goats on Upper Barronette Peak.
Another great day in Yellowstone Park
9-29-07:
Carol and I had some free time so we decided to take a
quick trip into the Tower/Lamar Valley area.
The short time we were in our decision was well
rewarded.
There was a black bear sow with a cub in great viewing
distance right at Elk Creek. It was a nice way to start
the morning.
Photographed a cow and calf moose at Round Prairie and
were able to find 3 mountain goats on Lower Barronette
Peak.
9-11-07:
Lee spent the day with a couple from the United Kingdom
that had come to Yellowstone to celebrate their
anniversary and of course if possible get the chance to
see wolves and bears. They spent most of their day in
Lamar watching the Slough Creek pack and a grizzly sow
with triplets. Later they traveled to Barronette Peak
and were able to see mountain goats. We were very
honored to be a part of their time in the United States
and be able to help them realize their dream of wolves
and bears in the wild.
9-9-07: Had some free time from the Popular
Photography touring so made a side trip on my own to
Hayden Valley just to look around. Just past Grizzly
Overlook was treated to getting to watch the Alpha Male
of the Hayden wolf pack cross the road just yards away
carrying meat, most probably back to the pups. After
crossing the road he went to the Yellowstone River, swam
across, stopped and watched all those watching him, and
then trotted off into the sagebrush.
9-8-07: Spent a few days over in West Yellowstone
assisting with the guiding of the Popular Photography
mentor series, which is based out of New York. It is
very exciting to get to spend time with those that are
so accomplished in the field of photography and be a
part of such an exciting program. This is my third year
with them.
 9-7-07:
Met with a group at Mammoth who hoped to the Yellowstone
wolves. The day was awesome as we traveled to the Mount
Washburn area and watched several of the Agate pack.
They were treated to howling as well as witnessing the
socializing when the Alpha male came to the area. The
pack then started to bed down so we left and went to the
Lamar Valley and watched a grizzly across from the
institute foraging. We later traveled to Barronette Peak
and were able to find 6 mountain goats on the peak high
above our vantage point. This group had never before
seen wolves, grizzlies, or mountain goats in the wild so
it was a very memorable day and it was great to be a
part of their time in Yellowstone.
9-5-07: Lee had a banner day in the field with
his group. They spent time enjoying the play of 5 of the
Slough Creek pups and then watched a grizzly across from
the Institute. Later in the day the big horn sheep were
at the Narrows on the Yellowstone. They also were
treated to a sighting of a cow moose on the south side
of Dunraven Pass. The elk have started coming into
Mammoth.
8-31-07: Took a couple from North Carolina into
the park before daylight this morning. They were hoping
to get the chance to see Yellowstone wolves in the wild.
We were a Lamar Valley before daylight and wound up
climbing Cardiac Hill to increase our chances of
catching the wolves across the Lamar River on Jasper
Bench. The climb was well rewarded. We watched 17 of the
Slough Creek pack for over 2 hours. We saw all 13 pups.
From our vantage we were able to observe the social
behavior which included the adults feeding the pups by
regurgitation. Traveled up to Barronette Peak and
located 6 mountain goats on the high slopes.
Another great day in Wonderland.
 08-23-07:
Lee and I were both in the field today with 2 different
groups enjoying their Yellowstone family vacations. Our
time was spent in the Lamar Valley and Dunraven Pass
area. We watched the Agate’s, one of the packs of
Yellowstone wolves. Big horn sheep have moved back to
the Narrows on the Yellowstone and are always fun to
watch. The very respectable bull moose that has been in
the lower end of Antelope Creek showed himself again
today and provided some very gracious wildlife nature
photography opportunities. The buffalo in Lamar Valley
area were close and it was great viewing. Had time to
take my group on a short day hike in the area and
checked out some of the buffalo wallow sites, after the
buffalo had left the area. Another great day in
Yellowstone National Park.
8-22-07: Our guide Lee took a family of 5 out
today as they were in hopes of having the chance to see
Yellowstone wolves, do a little bear watching if
possible, and if lucky see grizzly bears. What a day
they had with all their wishes answered. They watched 8
of the Slough Creek wolf pack in Lamar Valley, then went
to the high country on Mount Washburn and saw 4 of the
Agate wolf pack. From there they went to Dunraven Pass
and got to see their grizzly bear, not one but 3, and
for good measure 2 black bears as well.
 8-20-07:
Out with a family on a Yellowstone tour, the main focus
was viewing Yellowstone wolves and grizzly bears. What
luck we had. In Lamar Valley we watched all 22 of the
Slough Creek wolf pack as they traveled single file
across Jasper Bench. The pups are very playful and fun
to watch as they wrestle, play tag, and tug of war with
a stick. Like all kids, they love to play. We then went
up onto Dunraven Pass and got to see the very rare site
of a grizzly sow with 4 cubs. What a treat that was. It
will be hard to beat this day.
8-19-07: In the park early again today with a
couple to do a tour of the upper area of Yellowstone.
Near Dunraven Pass we were treated to having the
opportunity to view a black bear with her cub of the
year. She was working the white bark pine tree areas in
search of cones. The cones offer a lot of protein and
calories and help them put on extra weight for the
winter hibernation. After spending time with the bears
we left and continued on to the Grand Canyon of the
Yellowstone. The words awe inspiring do not do justice
to the beauty of the canyon as we watched the water of
the Yellowstone River tumble over the lower falls,
dropping 308 feet to the canyon floor, there resuming
its journey to the Missouri River. After leaving the
canyon we journeyed out into Hayden Valley and the
buffalo as if on cue were everywhere. It is their mating
 season
and many of the buffalo of Yellowstone come to this area
during the first three weeks of August. They were close
to the road and the photo opportunities were great with
a background of rolling sagebrush hills and the
Yellowstone River snaking its way along the valley
floor.
8-18-07: Spent the day on a sightseeing tour as part
of their trip to Yellowstone.
The better part of the day was spent in the lower basin
area and we were treated to some above average geyser
gazing. Old Faithful put on its usual great show but we
also were very fortunate and got to witness a dynamic
display by Great Fountain Geyser. Cliff geyser was much
enjoyed also as we watched the cycle of the eruption and
witnessed the draining of the pool as you would watch a
bath tub drain. The hot springs in the area were a
beautiful touch as always, including the special beauty
of Emerald Pool in Black Sand basin. As always the
colored bubbling mud at the fountain paint pots was a
joy to see. Yes, it was a great day in the thermal area.
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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.