The rut is on

So, last week was pretty rough at work both physically and mentally.  It's not easy working the gate at Yellowstone. The majority of the visitors are wonderful, but then there's the other 1-2%.  Anyway, my weekend can never come fast enough.

Usually I unwind and regroup by hiking, but last week my knee decided it had other plans.  I had surgery for a torn meniscus in February and the doctor told me he was just buying me some time, I just thought he meant at least six years not six months.  Last week that knee started buckling on me every now and then.  So my days off this week were spent resting. 

One day we decided to drive to Cooke City, MT to have lunch at one of my favorite restaurants.  Wildlife in the park have been scarce lately.  I think they're as worn out by the visitors as I am.  This lone juvenile female elk was heading towards the terraces at Mammoth.

You get to Cooke City by going through Lamar Valley.  I can always guarantee people that they will see bison in Lamar Valley.  

The rut is getting underway.  All the bulls are looking for girlfriends.

The bulls always put on a good show during the rut, they are very vocal.

These massive creatures are amazing.  I'm going to use this shot for tongue out Tuesday.

At one point the rangers had all traffic stopped while a lone bison crossed the bridge.  Totally understandable, we are visitors in their home after all.

This spring's red dogs are slowly getting their brown coat.

Chomp, chomp, chomp.

There are still some really young red dogs out there.  Look at those little horns.

Adorable!

Then there's always the touron who has to get out of his car while the herd is crossing the road.  That bull is directly behind his car.  Look at that lens on his camera!  I can't see the need to get out of the vehicle.  25 yards people, that's how far you need to stay away from bison and 100 yards from predators.

Those eyes.  It disgusts me that at one time these beauties were almost wiped off the face of the earth by so called "hunters" who massacred them for fun.

Then we got to Cooke City and guess what...my favorite restaurant was closed.  No employees and they were sold out of everything.  The amount of guests in Yellowstone is hard on everyone who supports this park.  Please Congress, enact a reservation system for Yellowstone!

A few more elk on our drive back through Mammoth on the way home.

Fun, but long day as I sat in the truck resting my knee.  Hopefully I can hit a trail again in the next few weeks.  51 days until I go home, 30 more work days...not that I'm counting down or anything.