wildlife encounters
At the end of my writing group February meeting, we swapped stories of humorous wildlife encounters. It inspired me to share some of my own tales with you!
More importantly, will you please share yours with me (and my audience)? Everyone loves to be amused by critter antics, especially me. And I know you have some great tales hiding out that need to be released from your mental vault.
Meanwhile, here’s a few short memories that may give you a bit of a chuckle. Enjoy!
skunks
Sorry no personal pics of skunks since I’ve only encountered them while driving, but here are some cute ones by:
While living in Teton Valley, I decided to treat myself to a weekend trip in Paradise Valley, MT during Labor Day weekend. I waited patiently for daylight before hitting the road back down as to avoid wildlife. I drank coffee. I admired the sunrise. I sat quietly in gratitude. Then, I excitedly hopped in the car and aimed towards Bozeman for a morning of bookstore perusal.
Twenty minutes later, taking my time along a gravel road, I spotted a little skunk on the left side of the road. I braked, slowing to a mere crawl to pass by respectfully. That little stinker eyeballed me, waggled its rear, grinned and raced across the road when it knew it had been spotted! Forcing me to swerve, attempt not to cuss the rascal out, and hope it didn’t run beneath my back tires. It survived that day and so did I, despite the bear booty sighting around the next corner that made me decide to hold my coffee in my full bladder til Bozeman!
Bonus story: In a rush towards the studio to teach dance one evening, I came across an entire FAMILY of skunks right by Highway 33 (the road running through Teton Valley, Idaho). Two skunks had already crossed the road but 3, possibly 4?, were preparing to also attempt a brave rush hour crossing. I never spotted any remains so they must have wisely changed their minds or by some miracle have made it across that evening.
bears
Bears, oh my!
📸 taken at the Wolf & Grizzly Center in West Yellowstone
I’ve shared my black bear encounter while trekking the John Muir Trail and the cute encounter Holly and I had while on a regular walkabout…actually, wait. Have I? Well, in case I haven’t:
We were on a regular afternoon walk around a pond and bumped into a black bear picking at a bush. He startled, ran in the opposite direction, and we returned the direction we came from. Then, we bumped into the bear again. He again startled and went careening across the neighborhood towards safety. Holly was blind and deaf at this point and I remained calm the entire time. I felt guilty but appreciative the bear responded exactly how you want bears to respond.
The story I wanted to share with you happened on the Washington state Backcountry Discovery Route. Joey and I drove Trigger (my truck) from the Oregon border up to the Canadian border along the east side of the Cascades and were almost done with the trip. Driving through a forest brough us to a bear meandering down the road. Unbothered by our vehicle, we were apparently on bear time. Fun sighting, especially while sitting in the co-pilot’s seat!
Alright, I know I’ve informed you about my foolishness while camping out with my friend Michaela in the Tetons. If you missed it, check out my Wydaho post. I’ve also encountered grizzlies through Yellowstone and on my way home from Yellowstone but opted not to stop. I know, I know. A dream of a lifetime wildlife spotting for you and I make it sound ordinary. I’m skittish, ok?! One day I’ll be brave enough though.
wolves
Wolves look through your soul
📸 also taken at the Wolf & Grizzly Center in West Yellowstone (another hint that you should go!)
This story is on the serious, awe-inspiring side. I’ve never shared this with anyone either. Mostly because I thought it couldn’t be possible but also because I haven’t had the opportunity. While driving back to Washington state to visit TAJ for a few months, I passed two wolves standing over carrion in the median. I assumed they were coyotes.
I looked up the two species, comparing and contrasting while replaying the image in my mind for weeks. And months. And even years later I remained unsure. Why? Location, location, location. These wolves were south of Dillon, MT far enough away from Yellowstone to be considered wolf territory. Or, so I believed.
Now that I have become more familiar with wolf habitat territories, I realize the distinct possibility this specific wildlife sighting could be wolves. The reason it always stuck with me though is important. These animals saw me. Not just observed, not just merely gazing into my eyes as I passed by. Peered into my soul. The feeling stuck with me and still does. That’s why I couldn’t merely shrug it off as coyotes. Obviously, I could be wrong but my instinct thinks otherwise.
Big horn sheep
Fabio
Go to Yellowstone for wildlife sightings and you’re guaranteed to spot them OUTSIDE the park. ;-)
I spent too much time re-reading my past blog posts because I swore, I shared the Fabio the Bighorn Sheep story with you! HOW DID I NOT SHARE THIS HILARIOUS MOMENT WITH YOU?!? Let’s remedy that!
Last year I spent a weekend in Paradise Valley with my ladies hiking group. We snowshoed up to Tower Falls in Yellowstone and soaked in Yellowstone Hot Springs and enjoyed family style dinner together afterwards. During the ride back to the rental house after soaking, we began discussing our desire for more wildlife sightings even though we watched a pack of coyotes run through the valley mere minutes after being holed up by a bison on the trail.
Five minutes later we had to slow for a herd of elk close to the road. Then, a few more minutes passed before we noticed two big horn sheep on the side of the road across from us and we slowed to take pictures. Rolling down the window someone (maybe or probably me *cough) threw out a “Hee-aaay.” I swear to you that sheep flipped its head over its shoulder and posed for the pictures like Fabio from the Italian actor well known for long, blond locks.
The video above captures a recent sighting of stopping for an entire herd of big horn sheep to cross the road. I’ve also encountered a small family unit running in front of TAJ and I along the Colorado Trail. Both were mesmerizing experiences!
Foxes
By far, my favorite animal sighting ever is the time I had to pull over for a lucky fox bringing home its breakfast. I cheered the l’il one on and am still so proud of it today. Also, I’m guessing the turtle won the race that day?
Well, there ended up being way more encounters to share with you than I first thought. I even left out sneaking by a porcupine on the trail to Thorp Mountain in the Cascades of Washington and the adorable family cleaning up post-breakfast along in the Pacific. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to catch animals at play or in silly moments and I don’t take that fact for granted.
Now it’s definitely your turn - spill the tea!
Please and thank you.