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Feb
21
Winter Wildlife: Yellowstone
February 21, 2008 |
Last week we visited Yellowstone National Park for just a day (Feb. 9). Part-I featuring the winter landscape HERE. This is Part-2, where the focus is on wildlife.
The Bison brigade
In the early 1800’s, an estimated 65 million bison roamed throughout the continent of North America. However, market hunting and poaching had a devastating effect on the bison population; and by 1890, fewer than 1,000 remained! Now, Yellowstone has around 4700.
Runny Nose
Broken Horn
Bison are the largest mammals in Yellowstone National Park. Males, called bulls, can weigh upwards of 1,800 pounds. Females (cows) average about 1,000 pounds. Both stand approximately six feet tall at the shoulder, and can move at upto 40 miles per hour!!
Water Baby
Yellowstone is the only place in the lower 48 states where a population of wild bison has persisted since prehistoric times.
Trumpeter Swans
Its call is resonant, deep, sonorous, and trumpet-like. Hence the bird’s name. It is largest waterfowl species native to North America. Most Trumpeters weigh 21-30 pounds, although large males may exceed 35 pounds.
Every year, they migrate from the lakes near the Grand Prairie region near Alberta, Canada, to the Greater Yellowstone region.
A foursome
The male is called a cob; the female a pen: the one one a cygnet. Like some others in the geese (Anatidae) family, swans mate for life although if one of a pair dies the other will find a new mate.
These birds have a wingspan of seven to eight feet. Standing on the ground, an adult Trumpeter stands about 4 feet high.
Groucho, the Elk
Elk that graze near the hot pools and geysers of Yellowstone National Park are dying about five
years earlier than elk that live elsewhere in the park, says Robert Garrott, ecology professor at
Montana State University-Bozeman. Blame it on fluoride …Geysers, mud pots and hot pools are generally concentrated in the west central part of the park
known as the Madison-Firehole area. Fluoride originates in geothermal features and magma that lies
close to the surface. Combined with abrasive silica dust that is abundant in the volcanic soils of the
area, it destroys the elks’ teeth…“It is only as they get older, say eight-plus years, that the wear progresses to the point that they
are inefficient in eating,” Garrott said. “They crop and chew food fine, but their teeth don’t break
plant tissues down well because of wear. This fluoride toxicosis results in early old age, or, in other
words, a reduced life span.”Elk in the Madison-Firehole area generally die by the time they’re 15 years old, Garrott said.
However, elk that winter farther north in the Lamar River valley can live to be in their mid-20s. Elk
that can’t eat properly become weak and susceptible to wolves. Source.
The girls ask the Canada Geese about the elk dudes north of the border.
Bald Eagle
A cigar-smoking one!!
Bald eagles are found along the lakes and rivers of Yellowstone National Park where they perch in nearby trees watching for fish below. It is rare to see them in the park in winter, since most of them migrate to lower elevations.
These bloody humans haven’t left yet? Somebody shoot me !!
See previously posted Yellowstone pics HERE.
EDITED TO ADD:
We just received an e-mail from Jigyasa and Pratibha that Pedatha is no more.
We will miss this wonderful lady who touched so many lives in so many meaningful ways. Rest in peace, dear Pedatha. Thank you, dear Jigyasa and Pratibha, for introducing so many of us to her.
bald eagle, bison, Canada Geese, elk, national park, Photo Essays, Trumpeter Swan, wildlife, winter, Yellowstone-National-Park
I like your nature and wild life pictures. Me and my 3 year old enjoyed the picture. Betually captured as always.
I wish I was there!!!! What a trip :angel: will you take me with you the next time? Pleeeeeaaassseeeeee!
As always, your pictures transport me! Thanks!!!
lovely pics. you live in a very beautiful place!
Lovely pictures…thanks for sharing
as usual breath taking pics. That frozen ice with the swans around looks like fresh cream. And the enhancements in the CLICK event, the image gallery is simply superb! You tempting every person to participate and also make them feel important. Weldone Jai and Bee! My hearty wishes!
JB! Wonderful..the bisons seem to love camera, they look like they r queued up for a ‘Gladrags’ or a ‘Femina’ contest!!
The bald eagle, the trumpeter swans, Elk all look superb the way u guys hv captured!! I wanna sit here n resemble this icon for the wildlife pic u hv taken!! ;;) Tks a ton..made my day yet again!!!
thanks for this little safari treat
i really had fun..btw, i love the entry quotation!! so meaningful!! thanks for this fabulous brain and eye feeds for your avid readers 
We saw baby Bears from upclose! Great photos JaiBee
I soooo want to visit Yellowstone yaar! After Yosemite, this is my favorite naitonal park:) nicely captured people!
Beautiful pictures.
I even showed the pictures to hubby dear, just a hint saying isn’t it beautiful and i would love to see it in reality
Sorry to hear that Pedatha is no more. May her soul rest in peace. My sympathies to the family.
Hi,
Wonderful pictures ! Makes me want to visit Yellowstone.
I’m sorry to hear that Pedatha passed away. I’ve read about her and her cooking first at Indira’s Mahanandi.
My condolences to her family and friends.
Sorry to hear Pedatha passed away.May her soul rest in peace.My condolences to her family.Prayers….
So sorry to hear about Pedatha. My thoughts and prayers are with the family…..
I am shocked to hear the demise of Pedatha. My prayers are with them.
Lovely pictures….
i had fun looking at ur pics….as always the pics r too good..I would like to surprise u with and award that is waiting for u in my blog..plz do visit mine …have a look and accept it….
Great Pictures.
Is it me or does the bison brigade look like a bunch of russians in beaver hats trudging theu siberia?
‘horny’ russians.
May Pedatha’s soul rest in peace.
Sorry to hear about Pedatha. She was special.
Yellow stone in the winter looks a lot different than in the summer but ofcourse.
Thanks Bee your canary beans and fenugreek leaves served as inspiration on a cold winter day.
I loved the pictures :). Nature thru your lens looks v preety.
If I am not mistaken, bison are the largest mammals in the US, as well. Photos are simply spectacular
:love: animals are very important treat them like family
realy,very good picters. I like this pictures.I will see the this neture first time and i will plam go to the this pleace.
[...] National Elk Refuge also has other animals like bison, coyotes, wolves, moose, bighorn sheep, trumpeter swans and bald [...]