Yellowstone in May
Grizzly sow and cubs
Yellowstone National Park was the first national park in the United States and is the largest. It has often been characterized as the “Serengeti of North America”. Its vastness and differing terrain, waterfalls, geothermal features, lakes, and wildlife are a “must see” for any human.
I had the privilege of attending a week long course in professional guiding at Yellowstone in the first part of May this year. The weather at this time of year can fluctuate between 60 degrees and clear skies to 20 degrees and falling heavy, wet, spring snow. You really have to be prepared for anything, including rain, sleet, and hail. “Layer, layer, layer”, is what most people in the West explain to those visiting the Rockies for the first time in the spring.
It was that kind of week. I went from wishing I had two layers of heavy winter socks to short sleeves by the time I left. But, isn’t that part of the magic of a region where at this time of year sow (female) bears are emerging from dens with new cubs and baby “red dogs” (bison) dot the horizon? Wolves are prowling around and perhaps caring for their own still in the den. Grizzlies can be seen on bison carcasses that have floated to the surface of ponds and lakes. Ravens and Coyotes wait patiently and sometimes can be seen taking a chance by sneaking around a lumbering grizzly boar (male) and tearing a bite off the carcass because they just can’t wait any longer.
I had a day off to wander and as I was alone I began to contemplate and wonder. The way the wind was blowing the fur of a coyote made me think about how a bear has a sense of smell 2,100 times greater than a human. Can this coyote be smelled downwind? Watching the sunlight touch the top of Soda Butte as the day was ending reminded me of early photographers in the 1800’s and their extensive efforts to lug heavy equipment to landscape sights in the park, and the chemicals, and still be clothed in heavy wool. Did you know the reason people never smiled in those old photos is because it took awhile for slow chemical reactions to take place to create the image and if there was any movement by the subjects it turned out blurry? They had to stay still for the process of creating a photo (which took a while) and it was easier not to smile!
But I digress..
I would recommend to anyone and everyone that they need to venture into this gem of a national park at least once in their life in May. The sagebrush and grass are starting to green. Wildlife is becoming active and moving the cycle of life along in several ways and there are multiple chances to see and photograph the action. And let’s be real-there’s way less people there than during the peak of visitation in the summer and early fall!
Sometimes living relatively close to 7 national parks, I get jaded and wish there was no “peak season” and every time I ventured out it was only me, myself, and the wildlife. But! then I remember the first few times I came. The wonder, the magic, the fascination with wildlife behavior, the explosion of the mud pots, and the beauty of Grand Prismatic from the overlook. And then there was the rainbow over the Yellowstone River after a brief rainstorm and the bison trailing down the road had fur that was glistening! If I’m honest most people when they learn to love something they naturally want to share it. Joy is contagious and sharing joy fulfilling. If I am true to the conservation principles I espouse, I should want more people to go. I should want more people to experience Yellowstone in May. Then they will love it and want to protect it too.