JACKSON, Wyo. — Spring is here and the animals are feeling it!
Buckrail photographer Nick Sulzer has come across the banner megafauna of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem over the past week: a grizzly bear, plus herds of bison and elk.
Grand Teton National Park’s grizzlies are awake and visible, so photographers are reminded to maintain at least 100 yards of distance and to use their zoom lenses.
No zoom lenses are necessary to spot some roadside bison up near Moran, though.
Cheek out those athletic poses.
It’s not uncommon for elk and bison to graze near each other.
Both species spent time this winter on the National Elk Refuge, though the mild weather meant that nobody got a free lunch — this was one of 11 winters since 1912 when the Refuge did not carry out any supplemental feeding.
Historically, April has offered great opportunities for wildlife-viewing as animals migrate toward summer ranges and visitor season slows down after the ski resorts close. Keep those cameras close when driving around the valley, and be sure to give wildlife a “brake.”
