The sky is clear and the mountains are all visible against that brilliant blue. The forecast was a 90% chance of rain. Glad they blew that forecast!

Yellowstone claims an intact, in balance, ecosystem that operates well without human intervention now that the wolves have returned as the top predator. I even asked our wildlife guide if they removed or relocated animals to maintain a balance. No, he said, rather smugly. Nature has it under control and manages it much better than man ever could hope to. I was thrilled at the thought that it was actually possible to restore a balance when we had messed it up so much.
Not exactly! No surprise, many of the Yellowstone elk move down off the high plateau to escape the harsh winters. They always have. But now to the south it is to a fenced in refuge since Jackson Hole is in the way…no problem I guess. But wait, they are fed alfalfa pellets when they are there? The refuge is one fourth the size needed to provide winter range for the herd that is supported in the Parks in the summer. Hummm. Not quite the natural balance claimed. And what, there is a Park sanctioned hunt on the refuge and in Grand Teton Park every fall to reduce numbers?! That doesn’t sound at all like Mother Nature maintaining balance.
I still believe that these Parks are accomplishing great things; they just lost a little luster for me. Rats! We still have a lot to do to be sure this is all still for our grandkids and their kids and all.

We are still hoping for our first clear look at the magnificent peaks that rise up out of the plains. The weather is not cooperating. It has been cloudy most of the time; at best, pretty hazy. It is supposed to clear by weekend so we may still get a peek.

Besides the rugged namesake mountains, there are lots of lakes and wetlands.  We managed to fit a hike along the Jackson lakeshore yesterday between rain showers.
Wildlife was a little sparse.  We did see a cool looking ruffed grouse.  There were lovely views.

The weather hasn’t kept us in camp.  We just switched to wandering around by car.  We have seen many of the local regulars, elk, a moose and calf, trumpeter swans, bison, and a long tailed weasel.

Elk, a lone coyote, bison-bunches swimming the river and numerous lone bulls roaming or lounging on the plains, mountain bluebird (new on our lifelist) , golden eagle, a pair of Trumpeter swans gracefully swimming and very noisily, not-so-gracefully, taking flight.

He shook just like Luci used to when she came out of the lake… or a bath. Fun to watch.