A sow black bear and her cub visit Dornan’s for lunch with a view.
It’s not unusual to see bears around Dornan’s in Grand Teton National Park. Luckily these bears did not attract a huge crowd as they munched on clovers. It’s important to remember that a fed bear is a dead bear. Don’t allow bears to receive human food or garbage!
We had just one day left before the park road closes for winter, perfect opportunity to get out to hidden falls for a icy adventure. Despite being the most popular tourist attraction in Grand Teton National Park, we had the whole place to ourselves!
When the harsh Wyoming winter descends into Jackson Hole, animals have three choices; hibernate, migrate, or tolerate. North American Bison stand their ground, despite deep snow and sub-zero temperatures. Such hearty animals!
Bison in Grand Teton National ParkBison in Grand Teton National ParkBison in Grand Teton National Park
C/2020 F3 or Comet NEOWISE above Grand Teton National Park. Photographed from Dornan’s in July 2020. Discovered in March 2020, the comet will be visible again in the year 8786.
According to Wikipedia “Unlike most other deer species, moose do not form herds and are solitary animals, aside from calves who remain with their mother until the cow begins estrus (typically at 18 months after birth of the calf), at which point the cow chases away young bulls. Although generally slow-moving and sedentary, moose can become aggressive and move quickly if angered or startled. Their mating season in the autumn features energetic fights between males competing for a female.”
Contrary to this, over the years I’ve learned that moose do gather in herds. The easiest place to view this is around Blacktail Butte in Grand Teton National Park. Fall and early winter are the prime viewing season. The moose group in far greater numbers, perhaps because of mating season. The bulls still have antlers too, they wont fall off until later this winter.