June 20, 2008
 On our last morning, we endured a 5 am departure from Mammoth for one final wildlife viewing session in Lamar Valley. Eight participants chose to rise early, four others opted to stay behind and rest, pack or see the Mammoth Terraces in (early) morning light. It was a beautiful morning with the full moon setting just over a ridgetop as we approached Lamar. While photographing this incredible scene from a pullout, we inadvertently started a “moon jam” (other cars stopping to see what we were seeing).
The first part of our trip through the Lamar Valley was pretty routine — by Yellowstone standards — with sightings of Pronghorn, Bison and Elk. Then we spotted a black wolf across the river! The wolf was near a three-day-old Bison carcass (we learned about the carcass from one of the “wolf watchers”) and was carrying a large chunk of meat. We watched through the scopes until it disappeared into the woods.
 On our return trip we stopped to investigate some skittish bull Elk that were running nervously through the sagebrush. Mike climbed a steep hill to get a better view and spotted a female Pronghorn. Karen was on the road below when suddenly the Pronghorn raced towards her, passing by within just a few feet. Karen later said she felt like a deer in the headlights as the speedy animal ran by before swerving off toward a gully in the rolling landscape. After Karen's close call, we saw a small Pronghorn fawn as it came out of hiding. Pronghorn females will hide their young fawns in thick vegetation while they go off to feed, periodically coming back to nurse them and to try to ward off predators if the need arises. We must have stopped too close to her baby's hiding place and that is why she ran back across the road. After rejoining her mother, the young fawn began nursing.
We then headed back, knowing the inevitable departure time of 10 am was approaching. We returned to the cabins to pack up and wish the park a final goodbye. We were sad to leave but feel our lives and professions have been changed forever. Thanks to the Museum for this opportunity.
Museum staff note: We have taken educators to Yellowstone for over ten years, and time and time again we hear what it means to them to have this kind of experience. One common outcome is that experiencing nature on such a grand scale inspires them to seek out the beauties and wonders of nature closer to home — in North Carolina parks and natural places and in their own backyards or school grounds. Another sentiment often expressed is that being immersed in such a wild place allows you to somehow feel a sense of freedom — freedom to be yourself and to be who you truly are. The Museum encourages you to seek out wild places, near or far, to be free to be yourself and to help preserve and protect these special parts of nature for future generations.
Q & A for June 20 |
