Autumn Adventures

 

We traveled south to Tom Miner Basin for our last trip there for the year.

We still found three Grizzly Bears feeding on wheat grass before hibernation.

This one was the closest to the road.

Perched Bald Eagle over the Yellowstone River near Corwin Spings.

All the other Ospreys had already migrated south except for this juvenile 

Elk herd grazes through the frost covered grass

The larger part of the herd were farther north -  notice the frost cloud over the river.

This unique rock formation is west of the river south of Corwin Springs.

Not sure if it has a name but we call it the Red Slide.

Probably is 1,000 feet in length.

American Pronghorn Antelope graze the high meadow.

Buck Pronghorn watches over his harem

Bighorn Sheep descend from mountain to winter grazing area.

Flock of ewes and lambs 

A total of 54 Bighorns eventually arrived to munch on the frost covered grass.

Bighorn ram arrives alone to check the ewes out

Testing the wind, following their scent

Anyone looking for a fight?

Over the ridge 14 Rams rested and waited to challenge each other.

After three hours of observing sheep, this Ram came for a close-up goodbye.

Mill Creek stop, we found three American Dippers.

Feeding in the cold rapids

Stopped at Dailey Lake before freeze up

One juvenile Tundra Swan 

This swan was feeding on aquatic plants - hanging out with Canada Geese

Hundreds of waterfowl were covering the lake including this Redhead Duck and Pied-billed Grebe

Absaroka Mountain peaks bedecked in snow.

Decided to go somewhere we haven't been before.  Traveled to the east side of the Crazy Mountains.

We drove into Big Timber Canyon Road surrounded by the Crazies highest peaks - all over 11,000 ft.

Steller's Jay being elusive.

Found our second Golden Eagle nest high along the cliffs.

Ruffed Grouse

Autumn meets winter at the Crazy Mountains

Back home in Livingston, the Full Moon sets in the west.

Canada Geese at dawn fly from Yellowstone River to farm fields.

Great Horned Owl located by large flock of harassing crows

Our neighbor's shed provides shade and shelter for our local deer herd.

Black-billed Magpies flock to our suet feeders 

The sun captures it's irridescent colors, even a rainbow at the end of the tail.

Red-shafted Flicker also enjoys the suet

Pinyon Jay finished off the suet.

Raven calls over our feeders

Sharp-shinned Hawk atracted to the birds at the feeder

Very alert

Our Autumn Adventures are at an end,  Another season of amazing creations of God.

❤️ Love & Prayers 🙏🏽

Ty & Ida Baumann

 

Autumn Jaunts from Livingston

 

Bull Moose comes wandering into our neighboorhood.

Only two blocks west of our home and over 35 White-tailed Deer

ran away from this large intruder.

The moose is running back and forth figuring out which way to go.

Jumping the fence toward us.

Wait a minute!  it looks better back there!

Time to rest for a while,  Exits heading south.

Fall is definetly here!  No more velvet, no more spotted fawns and starting to bump heads.

This field had 106 deer today.

Bare peaks of the Bridger Mountains will soon be covered in snow.

Predidted for tomorrow.

Another gorgeous sunrise!

Pinyon Jays have come back to our feeders.

Forty Jays swarmed into the yard.

Went through a lot of bird seed!

Red-tailed Hawk soars overhead

Neighborhood Chestnut tree

Just south of the Crazy Mountains is this large ridge.   It is called Sheep Mountain 

but we haven't seen any Bighorn Sheep here.

Western leaf color changes are more subtle than in the Eastern states

Not many warblers to be found here but we heard and saw several Ornage-crowned Warblers

Colors on Pine Creek Trail

Migrating American Pipit.

Savannah Sparrows will be leaving soon.

Interesting rock formations on Old Yellowstone Trail Road

Townsends's Solitaire

Arriving at wintering grounds on Divide Creek Road

Western  Terrestrial Garter Snake

Blends into the western landscape

Mill Creek still running fast in October

Perfect habitat for the American Dipper

We had a total of five Dippers in a half mile stretch.

Looking under the water before diving in.

Arrow Peak off of Mill Creek Road Trailhead

To the top of Jackson Creek Road, beautiful view.

Like a rain forest up here, Moss covered trees.

Mountain Chickadee

Had to go back to Tom Miner Basin.  Five Grizzly Bears were still feeding up for hibernation.

At Corwin Springs a few Bighorn Sheep have arrived 

A flock of Bighorns, consisting mostly ewes and lambs, with a couple young rams.

The full curl Rams are still at higher elevation.

Elk herd crosses the Yellowstone River.

Beelike Tachinid Flies were sucking flower nectar

First time we have observed this fly species.

God certainly has created some amazing wildlife!

❤️ Love & Prayers 🙏🏽

Ty & Ida Baumann