Grand Tetons

Sunday May 21
Tired of watching geysers and hot springs we drove south to Grand Tetons National Park.

Frozen lake

Snow was deep in southern part of Yellowstone

Snake River

Dead trees and shadows on mountain side

Our first view of the Grand Tetons- this road has only been open since May 15.

Beautiful mountains.

View from visitor center

Doesn't get any better than this!

Bear scratches on tree trunk

Snake River

Snake River

Back to Yellowstone

Snake River

We were watching this bison herd when we noticed this drama nearby, a mother bison protecting her newborn calf from a coyote.

Then we learned that the calf was already dead, apparently accidentally trampled while the herd tried to protect it.  The mother kept vainly trying to revive her baby.

The coyote kept a watchful eye on the mother and every time she started to leave the calf he would edge closer,  The mother even started to leave and follow the herd a couple of times but as soon as the coyote got too close to the calf she would come charging back.

This cat and mouse game continued for hours, but finally the mother gave up and went to find the rest of the herd leaving the coyote with his prize.

The coyote keeps a watchful eye for the mother

This was the first time I was really able to test my new telephoto lens which allowed me to stay at a safe distance.  One photographer got too close and got chased around a tree by the mother only to be saved when the mother saw the coyote moving too close to the calf. What a climax to a spectacular day.