Our first day in Yellowstone National Park was a twenty-eight dog day! The day started with the sighting of twenty-three Gray wolves from the Wapiti Lake Pack. As the day continued, we also saw four Coyotes, and a single Red Fox for a total of twenty-eight canines. A tip had us headed to Hayden Valley immediately after entering the park at 7 AM Monday morning. At first, the area was obscured by a low lying fog layer but then Moose noticed movement and there they were, the Wapiti Lake Pack, twenty-three strong on the valley floor. Some members of the pack were harassing a small group of Bison and they took one down.
It was at once horrifying and mesmerizing to watch wild nature in action as the wolves killed the Bison. Eventually they set to howling, sounds so captivating that you stop doing what you’re doing to listen to them. A daring Coyote ventured close to the kill when most of the wolves had moved away to rest but he wisely retreated when the few wolves still at the carcass kept an eye on him. The Coyote bounded up the hill behind us and was quickly challenged by this Gray Wolf who also appeared on the rise behind us to make sure the Coyote went on its way. The wolf had already eaten and its face, neck, and chin are stained with blood. Despite the gruesome scene in front of us, we felt privileged to witness something that occurs every day in Yellowstone but mostly out of view of its visitors. What an unexpected but fabulous start to a winter trip there. And, just what will happen on day 2?
Wow! Wild nature in action.