Fall in Yellowstone 10-9-10

Saturday we headed back to Yellowstone Park, one more time before the snow flies. It was so mild and so unlike any October weather we have seen in a very long time. We puttered around the park and noticed that most of the trees are pines so you could not find the fall colors to indicate that it was truly October, but we did notice the bounty of animals grouped together preparing for the harsh winter approaching.

Our past visits you would see the males off on their own being solitary but not this time, they were with the herd of females. We also came across bears. So far we are 3 for 3 in the bear count. I love seeing them and Chris has really enjoyed it as well. He was telling me that growing up he never saw bears and the past few years we see them almost every trip. So this is the last Yellowstone trip until Spring but we have enjoyed the park this year and feel blessed that we live so close to it and get to take advantage of that.

I love Yellowstone and am kicking myself for not taking advantage of Zion's Park when I lived close to it.

Check out that rack on this elk. He was bugling prior to this picture. Not sure if he was trying to warn off competition or just announcing that he has his harem of females.

I loved the bleached wood bogged down in the muddy hole. It almost looks like a buffalo skull.

I loved the contrasting colors in this picture, plus the it is just beautiful scenery.

The difference in environment is incredible.

Every where you look it is different.

Chris looking very stern for some reason.

A small geyser that has beautiful tropical like plants and moss growing around.

Bull buffalo that surprised me. I was walking on a path and he came up a hill and was directly in front of me. I had to come up with an escape route just in case he charged after me. But, I think I intimidated him on my brut size and strength, because he looked at me and continued to climb the hill.

Just love the color difference in the muddy geyser.

We found this black bear in the exact same spot as the black bear we spotted on our last trip in August. We are curious to know if this is the same one and if it is, he sure put on the pounds. His fur was fluffy and looks really soft, but I am not willing to test that idea.

Nice buck we saw as we stopped at tower. We always see does and fawns but this was a treat. Check out that rack. (I know some hunters that would love to have this trophy of a deer) Thank goodness he is in the park and the mean old hunters don't have access to him.

A momma grizzly and her two cubs following her. She was trying to cross the road to get to Yellowstone Lake. We have never seen a bear by the lake so it totally caught us of guard, it was a nice surprise.