First thing, we take the circle dive. A huge bull bison is resting in a roadside wallow totally undisturbed by our approach.  He is disturbed by some pesky bugs though and takes a leg-flailing dust path right in front of us.  It is a bit comical to watch.

There is a flash of movement off to the left. Two bull elk are moving through the low brush.  Both sport impressive antlers and they seem to be watching out for each other.  They are fantastic to watch.  It is odd to think that in just another 30 days or so they will be standing off against one another as they build their harems.

All the guys are feasting and getting ready for Fall. Mule deer and white ta

il deer also sport some great antlers.

Ram big horn sheep stake out territories.  In herds, bull bison are selecting their mate and “tending” them to stave off other bull’s advances.  We stop among the herd and listen to the sounds of these guys defending their claim.

Bison cows keep a watchful eye on their calves. New, still red colored young ones mix with older calves that are already growing adult coats.  It seems the entire social interaction is pretty complex.

The drive circles through fast open rolling prairie with views of surrounding mountains. There, a tiny spec moves on a far hill.  It is a Pronghorn Antelope.

Pronghorn eye lashes

We didn’t see any bear but did notice as we were heading out that the fishing access is closed. A grizzly and her cubs have been checking it out.  They get priority over human fishermen!

Part of the Bison herd went for maximum viability. They were hanging out at a watering hole along US 93 so all passerby could see them.  That is where we found a small herd of elk cows and their little ones too.

These folks say American Bison once numbered over 30,000,000. Thankfully someone figured out the need to protect these magnificent beasts before it was too late.  Federal ranges support only about half of the 500,000 bison still living in the US.  The remaining half is in private herds.  Who knew?