This morning we started with an early, steep hike culminating in a beautiful sunrise over Trout Lake in Lamar Valley. We were lucky to see some threatened cutthroat trout spawning while a bald eagle soared overhead. Greg was especially thrilled to see two American dippers (a truly aquatic songbirds) bobbing and diving near the trout. 

Next, we headed back through Lamar Valley to continue our adventure south. We stopped in the Narrows of the Yellowstone River to observe a peregrine falcon nest where the momma was feeding her chicks.

Before leaving the Narrows, we observed three bighorn sheep sunbathing and snacking on vegetation. We were amazed by how well they were camouflaged into the environment. 

Our morning concluded with an expert topic presentation from Robin on the lodgepole pine life cycle and the impact of the 1988 fires, which burned nearly 36% of Yellowstone Park.

Next stop, we discussed the geologic history of Yellowstone to gain an understanding of what geologic processes helped shape and continue to shape the landscape of the park.

After lunch, we hiked the South Rim Trail along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. We saw mud pots, took some time to write in our journals, then stopped by a pond covered in lily pads. Further down the trail, (or up is a better description), our view opened up to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The canyon, carved by the Yellowstone River, is surrounded by slopes of breathtaking colors. We learned about the painter Thomas Moran and his role in the establishment of Yellowstone National Park as well as his work to showcase the beauty nature created through hydrothermal activity.

As we worked our way south, we stopped by an area where we could see the wapiti wolf pack’s den in the hopes of observing the pack and their new pups. While we enjoyed the evening we spotted a few swans, bison and a bull elk. There was a rush to view the other side of the road thinking there were wolves, but it was 2 coyotes, still exciting to see.

Heading towards our lodging for the night we did a 7 minute speed tour through a thermal basin and saw the Dragon’s Mouth and Mud Volcano, followed by a stop at LeHardy rapids to see harlequin ducks before we ended the night at Lake Hotel cabins.

Now, for our Fathers Day bonus….

Who do you think is the best dad? This is what we think:

Gray wolf: 12

Eagle: 3

Grizzly: 0

There are many great dads in the animal world. The alpha male of a wolf pack serves as an important role model for young pups in many ways. Wolf dads help hunt and protect the den, so the alpha female can nurse the babies and regulate their body temperature. Dad may even fake injury while playing with pups to help build their confidence.

Eagles mate for life. Dads can share the incubation and hunting duties (even eagle mothers need a break to stretch her wings away from noisy chicks).

While grizzly bears may look cozy and huggable, fathers don’t do much other than provide their genetics. In fact, they are more likely to kill a cub than anything else. (Talk about a deadbeat…..)

Leave a comment and tell us what YOU think!! Are there other great animal fathers?