Yesterday I saw my very first wolf. Not in a video or movie or photograph. A real, live wolf. And not just one wolf. Lots of wolves. Looking through the scope at the new mom enjoying some sunshine with pups still in the den, I got tears in my eyes and was filled with an emotion hard to describe. What were these tears about anyway? I was filled with a joy that these magnificently beautiful wild things are back in Yellowstone and doing well, but it was more personal. I have been incredibly drawn to wolves as long as I can remember. The closest I’d come to that feeling of complete wildness was listening to coyotes going after prey in the “wilds” of the Santa Monica Mountains in Southern California in the early 70s. But I’ve always wanted to see—and hear—wolves in the wild.
On our way from the hotel in Cooke City heading to Lamar Valley, we were able to watch a male moose with his antlers just starting to re-emerge down at Soda Butte Creek in Round Valley. I felt it was a sign we would be blessed with many wonderful more sitings on this special first full day in Yellowstone.
We arrived really quite early—just barely getting light—but there were already hardy wolf watcher citizen scientist volunteers at “Bob’s Knob” in Slough Creek. Everyone was incredibly helpful and let us watch through their more high-end scopes.
As I sat on that knoll yesterday in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park, I felt so very privileged to experience such a spectacular site.
The morning light increased as we kept watching and learning, and I knew this was the absolute perfect way to start my summer in Yellowstone. We watched as one of the mothers left her den and pups for a short bit of fresh air and sunshine, we watched at least 6-7 yearlings chasing each other around as the older black looked on, even joining in the play a little bit, and—incredibly—watched as 3-4 of them were chasing some of the elk with no success. They’re getting older now and are expected to help out with the feeding of the moms and pups.
As I sat there on that knoll watching this scene unfold in the famous valley of the wolves I’ve only read and heard about for years, I was struck by not only the amazing stark beauty of this special place, but it felt like a scene from the Tanzanian Serengeti Plains.
There were the wolves, a grizzly crossing in the low valley, and then all the huge bison and calves, pronghorn and elk—and of course the ever-present ravens. What a scene! I understand “they” really do call it the “Serengeti of Yellowstone.” I don’t remember hearing it called that, but my guess is I probably did hear or read it—but certainly didn’t recall that as I watched this scene taking place before me on May 1st 2016—but I can certainly see why it would be referred to in that way.
I’ve arrived and am ready to start work here in Yellowstone National Park tomorrow, and am so blessed to be spending my summer over the next five months being able to show these kinds of scenes—or even a tiny little part of it—to people from all over the world. I think it was a perfect way to begin my summer watching the wolves of Yellowstone.
Wow, Melinda! Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful experience in your, as always, thoughtful words! So glad to be on this journey “with you” (in spirit)!
you are livin’ the life!
Where has the summer gone? You wrote this shortly after arriving at Yellowstone, and by now you must be going into the final stretch. How could anything top this experience in May?! Thank you for sharing it with us. Very exciting!