it’s been said before that fall in the mountains is a magical time.
the leaves are changing, the temperature drops, and the animals are energized with hormones for mating season.
moose populations in wyoming are declining because of the growing wolf numbers, and i’ve been seeing less and less of them every year. so i was really excited to see a huge bull with two cows at our campground one morning when we woke up. the state has recently opened a limited hunting season for wolves. there are at least two lawsuits in the courts currently, brought on by environmentalist groups to challenge the state’s new policy.
because of the close proximity of fires, the sunrises were often very hazy but quite colorful.
i spent many days out on the river road looking for bugling bull elk. and i found plenty.
the bears were apparently out in full force. fall is the time when grizzlies and back bear are fattening up for the long winter ahead.
and grizzlies, in particular, are emboldened by the fact that hunters are out in full force and leaving their kills’ guts in the field. it can be a dangerous time.
but i didn’t even see one bear the entire month i was there… just lots of signs…
mornings on the river road were marked by bugling elk. they lead their harems up from the snake river to the high plains to strut at the foot of the tetons.
the evenings brought about the reverse. the bulls, some with new females won from rivals, made their way back to the safety of the tall grass, trees, and water along the snake.
bugling is one of my favorite sounds in the natural world. and spending the quiet times of my mornings and evenings listening to the haunting tune of elk replenished my soul.
autumn is a time of beginning and end. the leaves fall from their branches, but not before they take on colors rarely seen so bright in nature.
bitter cold wind blows in from the north. but not without it’s gifts. the cold air brings with it the desperately needed moisture to alleviate the wildfires with the first snowfall.
andrew slaton | blog 