Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
On larger bodies of water the common loon is prevalent, its beautiful mournful wail
echoes across tranquil backcountry lakes. Up to 35in long, it has a black-green head with
a speckled upper body and white underparts. Its dense body mass enables it to dive to
150ft but also necessitates a long runway for takeoff, which limits it to larger lakes.
WILDLIFE-WATCHING
The Lamar Valley is dubbed the 'Serengeti of North America' for its large herds of bison, elk and the occasional
grizzly or coyote. It's the best place to spot wolves, particularly in spring. Wolf-watchers can get a copy of the
park's wolf observation sheet, which differentiates the various packs and individual members. The best wolf-
watching bases are posted at campgrounds at Pebble and Slough Creeks (
Click here
)
.
The central Hayden Valley is the other main wildlife-watching area, where spotters crowd the pullouts around
dusk. It's a good place to view large predators like wolves and grizzlies, especially in spring when thawing winter
carcasses offer almost guaranteed sightings. Coyotes, elk and bison are all common. The tree line is a good place
to scan for wildlife. The more you know about animals' habitat and habits, the more likely you are to catch a
glimpse of them.
In general, spring and fall are the best times to view wildlife, but different seasons each offer their own high-
lights. Spotted wapiti calves and baby bison are adorable in late spring, while the fall rut brings the call of bugling
elk. In summer you need to head out around dawn and dusk, as most animals withdraw to forests to avoid the
midday heat.
It is worth having good binoculars or even renting a spotting scope. A good-quality telephoto camera lens can
help the observation of wildlife at a safe distance.
Smaller Birds
The boisterous Clark's nutcracker, a member of the crow family, is light gray with black
wings and a white tail. It patrols subalpine forests, feeding largely on conifer nuts, which
it breaks open with its long, black beak.
The diminutive mountain chickadee is a playful and gregarious year-round resident of
subalpine forests. It has a black cap and throat bib, and its onomatopoeic name describes
its distinctive call, 'chick-a-dee-dee.'
The red-naped sapsucker is a woodpecker species with a black back, white stripes
above and below each eye, and a red chin and forehead. It bores into tree bark (preferably
aspen or willow), discharging gooey sap that traps insects, devouring both. Ironically, the
bird's activity helps control the even more destructive bark beetle and other noxious in-
sects.
