Sunrise on our way to explore to the south of Livingston.
Driving up the long bumpy gravel road to Tom Miner Campground we found some berry trees with many birds eating the fruit including this Evening Grosbeak.
American Kestrel
White-crowned Sparrow
A Dusky Grouse cock scrambled away from the road.
White Admiral Butterfly
Jefferson's Ground Squirrel on alert
Our target wildlife sighting was Grizzly Bears that we found cooling off and grazing in the irrigation sprinklers. One dark boar and a sow with two cubs.
We enjoyed an hour of watching them feed and interact.
A distant ATV caught their attention and interrupted their feeding.
But they soon returned to feeding knowing that winter will be here all too soon
On the way back, a single elk cow was observed. And later a second family of grizzly bears was seen.
Another day took us up Mill Creek Road following the creek for 16 miles bringing us over 7,000 feet in altitude. This looked like ideal habitat for the American Dipper which we kept watching for.
Eureka! We found a number of them!
Am. Dipper goes under the fast moving water to secure it's food.
Checking out the clear water before diving in.
Near the top we found 2 families of Dusky Grouse- hen number one.
Hen number 2
There were at least nine chicks running along the road.
And several flying up into the trees.
A walk down at the Yellowstone River produced 4 Bald Eagles of varying ages.
Two young eagles checked out a sucker.
Ospreys were also perched over the river.
The Osprey are all fledged from the nest but go back daily calling for adults to bring food.
Our bird feeder is attracting more than birds. This doe comes around to check it out often.
She is also helping us prune the bushes.
An American Goldfinch comes in to the nearby Sunflowers
Honey Bee collecting pollen
Black-capped Chickadee
Mountain Bluebird selects a construction cone for a perch.
Teasel in blossom
Bees also visit the blossoms.
As summer comes to an end, this is the first year in 13 that we are not heading south for the winter.
Anxious to experience winter again.
❤️ Love & Prayers 🙏
Ty & Ida Baumann
