first few weeks in GTNP

One week ago a snowstorm blew into Wyoming, cold temperatures from the north and moisture from the northwest combined for a chilly week.  Grand Tetons received 3 to 4 inches,  Yellowstone (at a higher elevation) had enough snow to close down most of their roads for Wednesday (17th), and Casper (in central WY) was buried in a foot of snow, enough to close Interstate 80 for quite some time.
     Plants continued moving toward flowering despite the storm.  Dandelions, Yellowbells, and Spring Beauty were the first to bloom.  A week later I found Larkspur, and Buckwheat joining in the Sage prairie's color.  Today I saw Arnica, Lupine, and Phacelia along the trail.  Oregon Grape is an amazing plant;  its leaves survived the winter intact (whether green or red) and yellow flowers have started to open. Above photo is Cinquefoil, edged with frost on a cold morning.
     Birds are returning as well.  Chipping Sparrows are singing, Cassin's Finches and Kinglets arrived before I did.  Yellow Warblers are singing in the marshy places, Yellow-rumpeds are often heard along the trails, and Dusky Flycatchers have found open perches to announce their arrival.  I found a MacGillivray's Warbler in the same place along Jenny Lake trail as in previous years. My surprise photo above.
     Another  "surprised this photo came out so well"   is my Red-naped Sapsucker.  I had walked down to the Registration building to watch sunset, and was hearing a soft  "bird"  noise.  There was not much light remaining for photography.
     A  "large mammal"  event.  I had heard that the well-known Grizzly Bear female called 399 had emerged from her den with 2 little cubs.  Her territory is to the north of Signal Mountain Lodge.  Last night after dinner I drove north looking for bears, and the consequence of them feeding close to the road,  a bear jam.  North of Colter Bay I found the long line of cars parked on both sides of the road, and 2 groups of people on the west edge of the Hwy.  Mama Grizzly and 2 little black cubs were feeding a distance from the road, still in sunlight.  This was Bear 793, I was told, a much younger female.  Pretty exciting !!!

Above is Mama Grizzly and one cub,  photo to the right is the other cub running to catch up.  (used maximum zoom on my camera)



Below a large bull Elk with velvet on  his antlers walks across Teton Park Road leading his harem thru the Sagebrush fields.