Sometimes the animals of the park seen quite oblivious to our presence. This grouse flew into the midst of several people and then walked around like it owned the place...I guess that it does! It eventually climbed on top of my spotting scope to see what it could see. (Helping me watch for wolves?)

These three photos of Canada Geese were taken along Alum Creek where it flows into the Yellowstone River in Hayden Valley in August 2009.

Two different bald eagles. The one below is on a carcass from the Agate Pack kill of the day before.

In an otherwise muted background, sometimes a spark of color will appear to surprise you. This Mountain Blue Jay has a wonderful color. May 2007

The heron was along Alum Creek August 2009.

The first photo was taken by a friend. It is of my encounter with a grouse in the Lamar Valley in October 2008. I was amazed at just how calm he was with me. The second photo was a chance encounter with a golden eagle while looking for wolves in Hayden Valley in August 2009. The grey owl in the third photo was sent to me by Laurie Lyman in summer 2009.

Bears

Bears are great opportunists. They are omnivores and will eat just about anything that is available. Most wolf kills are taken over by bears at some time. Most of their food, however, is vegetation. During calving season, though, they actively look for deer and elk calves. This photo was sent to me by Laurie Lyman in summer 2009.

In May 2007,during a bear study class near Rainy Lake, we heard about a bear jam on a nearby road. It seems that this SUV had hit a deer the day before and the scent was still in the grill. The black bear cubs showed a serious interest in taking it apart. Eventually the park rangers ran the family off (second photo). The third photo, taken the next day, is a cinnamon colored black bear taken the next day.