photography – Syndication Server

Bison ‘thunder’ through crowd of panicked Yellowstone tourists

Tourists were observing a wolf kill down the slope when the spooked bison emerged and began to stampede.

Last week we featured footage showing bison stampeding toward a snow coach in Yellowstone National Park, as tourists watched with heightened concern.

To their relief, the bison navigated around the vehicle without incident.

On Monday, photographer Jeff Vanuga shared an image showing the aftermath of a bison stampede that caused panic among tourists who had been away from their vehicles observing a wolf kill.

Vanuga described the scene via Instagram:

“After wolves took down a bison cow 100′ below the road the herd came up to where the everyone was observing the kill. Seconds later a stampede ensued with bison running directly at the crowd.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFlo369SGDy/

“Everyone ran and scattered about as the bison thundered through people, snow coaches and snowmobiles. Luckily no one was injured and after getting out of harm’s way I managed a couple shots of the last bison weaving through the crowd. An adrenaline-filled morning!”

The wolves that killed the bison cow belonged to the Wapiti Pack, which utilizes a wide swath of territory, including the northern range in the winter.

Wolves take down bison cow in Yellowstone National Park. Photo: ©Jeff Vanuga

Yellowstone is home to nearly 5,000 bison, which must contend with wolves in the winter, and wolves and grizzly bears during spring and summer.

Bison, which can weigh 2,000 pounds, often utilize roads for easier commuting. This puts them in close contact with tourists.

According to the park, bison can attain speeds of 30 mph, so stampedes are awesome and, at times, harrowing spectacles.

Rarely seen Yellowstone wildcats appear boldly on ridge

Footage shows the normally elusive mountain lions traversing a snow-covered ridge as if out for a Sunday stroll.

A guide in Yellowstone National Park last week captured footage of rarely seen cougars traversing a snow-covered ridge as if out for a Sunday stroll.

MacNeil Lyons of Yellowstone Insight told FTW Outdoors that he was leading a photography tour with a guest from the U.K., who was “extremely excited” to observe cougars for the first time.

Understandable, considering that most visitors to Yellowstone do not see cougars, or mountain lions. Although the park is home to perhaps a few dozen of the large wildcats, they’re famously stealthy and elusive.

Lyons shared the accompanying footage via Instagram, writing:

“High in elevation, between craggy peaks these two sauntered on the ridge line with a backlit ‘bluebird’ sky! As the lions went out of view from one vantage point, I read the landscape and moved a few miles down the road to try a different vantage point.

“Our luck continued as we picked them up as one sat and peered over the edge of large snow cornices. We had our time with them for at least 20 minutes.”

Lyons told FTW Outdoors that he captured the footage in the northern range from more than a mile away, with an iPhone attached to a Swarovski spotting scope.

He said the cougars might be the same pair – perhaps a courting pair, or a mom with a subadult offspring – that was spotted recently on a ridge hunting mountain goats.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFZPuDixW3Q/

According to the park, cougars are native to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem but were nearly eradicated throughout the Lower 48 states during predator-removal campaigns in the early 1900s.

They survived in the West largely because of their preference for remote, rugged habitat, and their elusive nature.

Lyons, who has documented an astonishing 37 cougar sightings in 25 years of living in Montana, expressed concern for the future of the park and surrounding region in light of new or proposed laws that could jeopardize wildlife.

He concluded his Instagram post:

“We need these Wild Places. But more importantly the entire 4-legged, feathered and scaled community needs this wild space. Pay attention to new state & federal laws that lessen the protection of our Public Lands.

“Times are changing and seemingly not to the benefit of those without a voice… the animal community. Be their voice for protection and ethical stewardship of these wild spaces.

“Thank you to all that are keeping up the Good Fight.”

Rest assured, these creatures are not roaming Montana, Yellowstone

Image showing a hybrid bison/elk was produced by a program asked to reveal Montana’s favorite wild animal in 2024.

Something you will not see in Montana or Yellowstone National Park is the animal featured in the accompanying image.

But according to AI, the bizarre-looking critter was Montana’s favorite wild animal in 2024.

“If we were to give this species a name, we might call it Elson or Biselk,” Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks joked recently via social media.

The agency explained that the image showing a hybrid bison/elk was produced by an AI program that was asked to showcase the state’s most popular animal.

Viewers will note the uncharacteristically slender body and face of a bison, with antlers that’d look more realistic on an elk.

Can you imagine encountering this animal in Yellowstone, which is accessible from Montana via three entrance gates?

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEP-FvIJ2bR/

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks alluded to the controversial nature of AI-generated images and information before adding:

“One thing we can all agree on is Montana is one of the most spectacular states, and at Montana FWP, we recognize that people REALLY love the outdoors.

“From outdoor enthusiasts to hunters, there is a special place for all to enjoy. And we are honored to provide management and be the stewards of the lands we all love.”

Wolf launches attack on beaver in extraordinary nighttime footage

Wolf is shown detecting its prey and charging into the darkness before returning with “a full belly” and a portion of its catch.

A group that studies wolves in Minnesota stated Friday that capturing trail-cam footage showing a wolf ambushing a beaver was so extraordinary that it was “like winning the lottery.”

The accompanying footage, captured at night by a camera operated by the Voyageurs Wolf Project, was edited for brevity. But it shows the wolf detecting, crouching, and launching its attack.

The wolf disappears into the darkness, but audio reveals splashing and other sounds as the attack moved onto land. The next scene shows the wolf returning toward the camera with “a full belly” and beaver tail in its mouth.

More scenes show the wolf without the beaver tail, which it had apparently stashed, then later with the beaver tail again between its jaws.

Voyageurs Wolf Project stated: “To our knowledge, there are only a handful of videos of wolves hunting and killing beavers — our project has captured 3 of those instances…this is the fourth!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEXjfZHPdwU/

The group, which studies wolves within the Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem, was clear that wolf predation on beavers is not uncommon. But capturing footage of such events is extremely rare.

Can you spot the ‘moose head’ amid the snow in Yellowstone?

Moose sightings are fairly rare in Yellowstone National Park, but this “moose head” is commonly spotted in the northern range.

A hiking guide who leads excursions in Yellowstone National Park paused for a photo opportunity recently and later asked his Threads followers:

“Do you see the ‘moose head’ in this picture from Yellowstone National Park?”

Douglas Scott, who runs The Outdoor Society, allowed the use of his image so we also ask: Can you spot the moose head referenced by Scott?

Our only hint – not that one should be needed – is that this is not your typical Yellowstone critter quiz.

Before we reveal a closeup to confirm your guesses, a few facts about Yellowstone’s moose population:

– Moose are the largest members of the deer family in the park. Adult bulls can weigh nearly 1,000 pounds and stand nearly 8 feet at the shoulders. Female moose are nearly as large.

– Moose that inhabit the park are part of a subspecies that range from British Columbia to southern Colorado (Alces alces shirasi). They’re smaller than other types of moose in North America, and well-adapted for survival in the snow.

– Bull moose typically shed their antlers each winter to conserve energy in harsh weather.

– Fewer than 200 moose inhabit the park. Because they’re largely solitary and prefer to remain concealed, sightings are fairly rare.

– The “moose head” Scott photographed is in the park’s northern range, visible from a Lamar Valley-area rest stop. Below is Scott’s closeup image.

“Moose head” growing from rock in park’s northern range. Photo: Douglas Scott

Yellowstone coyote clearly visible, but can you spot the other critter?

Coyote in Yellowstone National Park is being closely watched by another mammal. Can you spot the critter in the image?

Editor’s note: This is a version of a post first published by For The Win Outdoors in 2023.

A bit of advice for anyone visiting Yellowstone National Park: While searching for wildlife, always take a moment to glance behind you.

It could be rewarding even if you’re already observing large animals.

The accompanying images show a coyote that I photographed in May 2023 while standing near a road with other tourists watching a cinnamon black bear and two cubs.

The bears were down a forested slope, perhaps 80 yards from the road. The coyote was behind us, on the opposite side of the road, passing virtually unnoticed about 40 yards away.

Yellowstone coyote being watched by mystery critter. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

I didn’t realize until that evening that a smaller critter was also in the image, watching the coyote. Can you spot and ID the critter? (Answer below.)

While coyotes aren’t high on many tourists’ spotting lists, I found it interesting that this coyote was on the move so close to people who were looking in the opposite direction.

ALSO: Tiger, cobra square off in rarely witnessed encounter; video

On the same trip, also in Yellowstone’s northern range, I was with perhaps 30 tourists watching another black bear descending a slope toward the road.

Cinnamon-colored black bear in Yellowstone National Park. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

People jockeyed for spots from which to observe or photograph the bruin.

Directly behind us, high atop a rocky peak, mountain goats maneuvered in and out of sight.

Yellowstone black bear and cubs during close roadside encounter. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

On a different day, I was surprised at close range, while outside my vehicle, by a momma bear and two cubs. Momma bear gave me the stink eye until I slowly backed away, when she and her cubs resumed grazing.

Yellowstone coyote being watched closely by a ground squirrel. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

My sightings log for three days: 14 individual bears, the coyote and ground squirrel (see photo above), the mountain goats, and dozens of pronghorn and bison.

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‘Cautious eyes’ focus on grizzly bear family in Yukon meadow

Momma grizzly bear and two large cubs have a wary audience in wild horses that appear ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble.

A trail camera in Canada’s Yukon Territory has captured an interesting scene involving a momma grizzly bear and two cubs being watched intently by wild horses.

“A beautiful grizzly family strolls along on a recent autumn morning as cautious eyes watch from afar,” David Troup of Yukon Wildlife Cams described Thursday via Facebook.

Viewers will note that the horses appear frozen into the landscape; they’re that wary of the bears and making a move that might prompt a predatory charge. (Click here if a video player does not appear below.)

https://www.facebook.com/yukonwildlifecams/videos/839394361509756

Troup told FTW Outdoors that his camera captured this scene Sept. 15 and added that he was not aware of grizzly bear predation involving this group of horses.

Grizzly bears will sometimes chase horses in the hope of catching a tired foal or causing a large horse to fall.

The scene captured by Troup’s camera is reminiscent of a dramatic scene captured by a trail-cam network in 2022 in Alberta, Canada, involving grizzly bears chasing horses that were clearly running for their lives.

Regarding that scene, the Help Alberta Wildies Society stated on Facebook: “The next time someone tells you that the Wild Horses have no natural predators, send them to me.

“We are losing a lot of horses this year, sooner and quicker than in past years. Not just the foals. Adults also.”

Epic shot of leaping tuna almost as good as photographer’s reaction

Footage shows a jubilant photographer as he realizes he has timed his shot of the approaching tuna perfectly.

Dramatic footage showing a giant tuna nearly leaping into a boat while chasing a bait is circulating this week via social media.

“Incredible capture by [Daniel Svensson Persson] of this bluefin fully launching itself right next to the boat⁠,” BD Outdoors exclaimed Wednesday via Instagram. (See video below.)

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Taxman comes calling after angler in Mexico hooks giant tuna

The footage is compelling because the tuna approaches like a missile and is only yards from the vessel when it leaps. But the highlight might be a jubilant Persson’s reaction while communicating to friends that he had just timed a perfect shot.

Check out the footage:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DAEi1oWixy1/

Can you spot the black bear peeking from the forest?

The images were captured by a USFWS employee in central Washington. Hint: Not all black bears have black fur.

Can you spot the black bear peeking from the forest in the Pacific Northwest?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asked a similar question Monday via social media and provided the main image and a second image showing a portion of the bear in a different location.

We’ve provided both images below, with the answer circled at the bottom of this post.

“In the Pacific Northwest, fish hatchery employees are accustomed to wildlife encounters, including black bears,” the USFWS post states. “These photos were taken during a hike earlier this summer to check on water levels above Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, in the mountains of central Washington.”

Hint: Not all black bears have black fur, which appears evident in both of Mathew Maxey’s images.

Second image provided by USFWS Pacific Region

Viewers can click here to view the USFWS post. You might discover that I guessed the correct answer in the comments.

I’m also providing the answer in the image posted below.

Trail-cam footage shows bears ‘foreplaying’ in Yukon forest

The cinnamon-colored black bear seemed the more passive of the two, but is shown pouncing on the darker bear directly in front of the camera.

A trail camera in Canada’s Yukon Territory has captured a what appears to have been a playful moment between two black bears on a remote forest trail.

The footage, shared recently by Yukon Wildlife Cams, involves fairly large black bears, one of them cinnamon-colored.

The darker bear seems to be putting the moves on the lighter bear at the outset. But at 20 seconds, as the darker bear begins to continue down the trail, the lighter bear pounces from behind.

This interaction occurs directly in front of the camera.

David Troup, who positions and monitors a network of cameras in the Yukon wilderness, stated in his description:

“In just a ten hour window in mid-June, a pair of differently colored black bears playing, or foreplaying, a nighttime lynx, and an early morning moose visited this site.”

The lynx and moose are shown after the bear scuffle.