Morning is awesome.  We wake early and I get a short look at an inky black sky absolutely filled with stars.  It lasts maybe 10 minutes then fog and steam roll back in – but I get to see it! We are out for one last Old Faithful eruption.  While we stand in silence the howl of a lone wolf floats from not far across the basin.  It is mournful and powerful at the same time.  A bit frightening and mesmerizing.  A two-pitch clear toned howl repeats for 4 or 5 minutes, takes a break and resumes this time with a bit more flourish on both ends of the howl.  I wonder, who is the message for?  What does it mean?  No one answers.

It is time for our final snow coach ride out from Old Faithful back to Mammoth. we check out Middle Geyser Basin and Grand Prismatic Springs.  Mist/fog hangs heavy over the features obscuring much of their color but it is still an impressive thermal area. A waterfall into the Firehole River is a reminder of the tremendous power beneath us that heats such huge quantities of water that is released throughout the caldera.  There are magnificent long views from the slightly elevated boardwalk.

We do some bison watching.  We have been on the watch for a glimpse of the icon of winter Yellowstone, a snow-covered bison.  Here we have him as a huge bull quietly swings his massive head to uncover grasses.  A long train of bison cows and calves cross just in front of the coach.  Cows encourage and correct to keep the young ones moving and the calves cavort in the snow.   It is a classic family moment.

We catch a few more thermal stops.  We revisit Paint Pots in the daylight, slow to a crawl at Norris Basin for one last hopeful check for a Steamboat eruption, and walk to Canary Spring atop the travertine terrace.

We get another fun look into a few minutes in the life of a pair of coyotes as they trot across Fairy Meadow flats. We speculate, is it a female with male in pursuit?  He, the follower, slows as he is distracted by some sound beneath the snow.  He dawdles as the female disappears in the rolling terrain.  Howling ensues.  Once again, we are left wandering what are they saying?

Back at Mammoth Hot Springs we bid farewell to Yellowstone and our guide and host, John.  It is hard to imagine a better ambassador for Yellowstone.  I leave more knowledgeable about the park and its inhabitants and with a renewed respect for how rare and special this place is.  The trip has also been a nice reminder to slowdown and appreciate life and surroundings in the moment.

A farewell toast! Korbel Brute in Yellowstone flutes.  It has been a great week.