I made a quick trip to Wyoming last week, and had only a day to spend in Yellowstone. So I made the decision to focus exclusively on wildlife. The scenery is stunning, but I've seen and shot it before. Wildlife sightings are more likely to be unique and special. But the title of this post isn't "Yellowstone Wildlife" because, well, nature doesn't respect my wishes or schedule. So I saw no moose, no bears, and no wolves. Only two elk that I just caught out of the corner of my eye as I was passing them, so no shots. One deer from a considerable distance. But what did I see?
OK, not a bison. One Uinta Ground Squirrel posed for me on the Blacktail Plateau Drive.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Animals sticking their tongues out will never not be funny to me.
This big fella was conveniently grazing right along the side of the road entering Lamar Valley. As I stopped my car to take his portrait, he looked right at me and made a sound that I interpreted as a polite request for me to keep moving. Which I did.
Lamar Valley is known as the American Serengeti. Seeing this herd in the river did give me Great Migration vibes. No crocodiles in the water, though.
It's a small thing, but I like how this guy was swishing his tail.
He was swishing and snorting at the lovely lady next to him, actually. You go, playah.
I didn't notice whatever the heck is dribbling out of this guy's mouth until I was processing my pics. It's pretty gross, though.
I didn't quite catch this guy rolling around in the dust, but at least the aftermath makes it pretty obvious that's what he was just doing.
I always love seeing the babies this time of year.
Grazing shots are always nice and peaceful, especially when there's a little catchlight!
A final young one being independent, and I'd adequately scratched my wildlife itch. The abundance of bison in a variety of situations made up for the lack of variety in species!
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