Today we didn’t have much of a plan other than to drive some of the route we came in on yesterday and scope out some hiking trails. We stopped at most of the scenic pullouts (which isn’t as easy to do in the coach).
Loaf Mountain Overlook
Dark-eyed Junco
Mountain Bluebird
At one pullout we stopped to take photos of the lake. We were almost ready to get back in the car and I saw something dark in a small pond next to the lake and I checked it out with my binoculars. It had it’s back to us and the head was down so at first I thought it might be a black bear. Then, it lifted its head and turned and it was a bull moose. One car stopped and we pointed out the moose. The couple was from Africa and were headed to Cody where we just came from.
Meadowlark Lake
They got photos and left and another couple from South Dakota and a biker stopped and we all watched it for quite a while and then Greg noticed something popping up out of the bushes and it was a second bull moose only it had a much larger rack. Both were probably at their prime. After sharing binoculars and exchanging emails to exchange photos we left and tried to find a way down to the area where they were.
this is the larger one that popped it's head up out of the tall brush
We drove around the cabins there and they were actually farther away at that point. Then the biker stopped and he didn’t want to walk down to where you could probably see them better. The couple from South Dakota also came down and the 4 of us walked down and we did get some really great looks at both of them. Then, another very young male came out of the bushes. He only had nubs for antlers so he won’t be competing for females this year. Ironically, they are staying in the same RV Park. Hi Nance & Herb. If there are other photos you want let me know.
we could see the velvet of their racks
a third young male appeared out of the brush - he has little nubs for antlers
his mouth is open like he is smiling
female duck has only 1 duckling - Mallard?
juvenile Spotted Sandpiper
We continued on the Scenic Byway and found a nice place next to the lake to have our picnic lunch. After lunch we went for a nice hike up into the woods.
boat launch area of the lake
Lake Point Picnic Ground
The trail was headed up to the top of the mountain, so we hiked for a while and just turned around. It was a pretty steep hike and at altitude that we aren’t used to anymore since we have lived at sea level for so long.
Mountain Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
part of the trail
I got one leg over and sat there like I was riding a horse until I could get the other leg over
ski lifts
ski resort
Pronghorn
https://photos.app.goo.gl/STf8sbkBNp39Ru5N6
Tomorrow we are driving the other Scenic Byway on US 14.
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