Yellowstone National Park, through Cortney's eyes

The famous attraction at Yellowstone National Park, Bison and
I think the wolves are the next biggest! Sadly the wolves have done far
more harm, especially to the elk population. It's an ongoing debate in
Montana and Wyoming, because the wolf packs have migrated out of
the park and are now targeting the ranchers livestock. Wolves kill
not only to eat but for the fun of it. I'm torn, I see the frustration and loss
for the ranchers, but yet these wolves didn't get here by themselves
either, it was the environmentalists who fought to have them
re-introduced. They had to be introduced, why, because they were
killed by ranchers trying to protect their stock and it's happening again.

Bison have caught there fair share of the blame as well, with the
Brucellosis issue and again sadly it isn't there fault. The spreading
of this disease, which causes cattle to abort their calves, is in large
part due to it's a disease that's been around for a long.... long... time
and elk are also carriers, more so than bison. The elk calve, in the
same areas the ranchers have their cattle and thus the spread of
disease continues. Don't get me wrong, all of the animals need to be
controlled for the health of the animals themselves as well for the area
ranchers.

Bison drinking
More bison( buffalo) grazing, there are plenty to see in the park.
A bull elk( and Cortney's finger*wink*), still showing signs of being in

velvet. These animals are accustom to onlookers and getting their

pictures taken, but they are still wild animals. Many people think they

are tame and every year the park has incidents of injury to people,

some fatal.

I remember, when I was about 12 yrs old and our family went camping in

and around Yellowstone Park, we saw a man walk out to a HUGE bull

elk and lift up a child as if to set the child on the elk.

My Dad said,"We're leaving, someone is going to get hurt!"

The man even grabbed one side of elk's antlers,

Yikes!

Cortney with one of the falls of the Yellowstone River in the

background.

She loves waterfalls, so took plenty of pictures*wink*
Here is a view from the walkout platform, it's a long way down. You can

virtual tour of the park online and get all the wonderful info.

This is a young moose, it's mother is just off to the right of the photo( out

of view)

It's kind of hard to see them( click to enlarge the photo) and you'll see

mama and baby. They are awesome creatures and until you see one

up close you don't realize just how big they are. My Dad and Jon, our

son, were lucky enough to get permits and both filled them. This

happened on different years, my Dad got his cow and then 4-5 yrs later

Jon got a yearling bull( no paddles) This is one of the finest wild game

meats I've eaten, very lean and tender.

Can you find the chipmunk? The gang stopped for lunch and these little

guys showed up and begged like mad for a treat!

I still have whitewater rafting and zip line pictures to post. She had a

great time and saw old friend, made so many new ones and that is

a blessing indeed.