Mammals
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Phantom of the Aspens
My brief encounter with this rare magnificent canid ended at sunset as he disappeared into the safety of an aspen grove. Although commonly called a "cross fox", it may be more appropriate to refer to these dark colored red fox as "morphs" or color variants.
http://www.wildlifeonline.me.uk/red_fox.html
https://www.knowledgeandlight.com/JOURNAL/Cross-Bearer-Morph-Fox-February-2016/red foxcrossmorphvulpes vulpesgrand teton national parkwintermammalwildlifesnowwyoming
Grizzled
One of the largest, oldest, and dominant bears takes his turn at the carcasses. This boar was unchallenged and when he approached the river, all of the other bears would abandon their feeding binge. Winter killed, carrion is an important food source for bears that are recently out of hibernation and in need of protein and nutrition. Note the two carcasses and the size and white color of his claws.
grizzly bearyellowstone national parkwyomingmammalwildlife
From Grizzly Bears and Bison Carcasses Yellowstone National Park 2014
Rivals
Bull Moose sparring, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, October 2019.
moosebullAlces alcesgrand teton national parkwyomingwildlife
Guardian
A newly born Bison calf stays close to it's mother as they survey the landscape for danger.
Grizzly
An autumn Grizzly appears well nourished and ready for hibernation, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, October 2019.
Sage Thrasher
A Bull Moose retiring to the forest following a sage brush sparring match, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, October 2019.
moosebullAlces alcesgrand teton national parkwyomingwildlife
Rivals
Bighorn Sheep Rams displaying the Flehmen response during the rut in Montana, November. 2018.
https://www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/flehmen-response
Fair Beauty
A magnificent light colored Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.
red foxvulpes vulpesmammalwildlifegrand teton national parkwyoming
Unchallenged
A Bighorn Sheep Ram's skull is an engineering marvel; shock absorbing horn design, thick cortical bone, strategically placed trabecular bone, sinus cavities, and a multitude of unfused cranial sutures protect the combatants from brain injuries and death. North Fork Shoshone River, Wyoming.
bighorn sheep ramovis canadensismammalwildlifenorth fork shoshone riverwyoming
Soulful Gaze
Bison (Bison bison), Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Hyperphagia
A Hyperphagic Black Bear Pursuing Autumn Hawthorn Berries, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.
http://www.knowledgeandlight.com/JOURNAL/Black-Bears-and-Hawthorn-Berries/black bearhawthorngrand teton national parkwyomingautumnwildlife
Wind Swept Winter Red Fox
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming February 2016. The wind swept fur accentuates the multitude of colors and luxurious nature of a Teton winter fox pelt. Red Fox are crepuscular (active at dusk and dawn), but during northern winters, they may be active hunting and feeding throughout the day.
Sparring Partners
Bull Moose sparring, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, October 2019.
moosebullAlces alcesgrand teton national parkwyomingwildlife
Badger Cub
A Badger Cub (Taxidea taxis) poses at the entrance to it's den near Malta Montana, June 2018.
https://www.knowledgeandlight.com/JOURNAL/Badger-Den-Phillips-County-Montana-June-2018
Montana Song Dog
Coyote (Canis latrans), Gallatin Mountains, Montana February 2016. The species name "latrans" is Latin and means barker or yapper; anyone familiar with wildlife knows that coyotes are accomplished vocalists. In Montana they are often affectionately referred to as "song dogs". The genus Canis is Latin and means dog; coyotes are members of the dog family Canidae.
Autumn's Prairie Bison
Bison (Bison bison), Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.
Dark Beauty
The gene that is responsible for the dark or melanistic phase of a red fox is apparently pleiotropic (responsible for many traits) because melanistic red fox have larger tails, extra hair on the bottom of their paws, and thick curly ventral (chest and abdominal) hair. Although the "cross fox" has a unique appearance and characteristics, they are the same species as the "red fox" (Vulpes vulpes).
https://www.knowledgeandlight.com/JOURNAL/Cross-Bearer-Morph-Fox-February-2016/red foxmorphcrossvulpesgrand teton national parkwyomingwinterwildlife
Warrior
Mature and battle hardened Bighorn Sheep Ram, North Fork Shoshone River, Wyoming.
bighorn sheepovis canadensisramnorth fork shoshone rivermammalwyomingwildlife
Silent Encounter
Bull Elk (Cervus canadensis), Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming,
elkbullCervus canadensisyellowstone national parkwyomingwinterwildlife
Arboreal Bear
A Black Bear (Ursus americanus) feeding on cottonwood seeds pauses and makes eye contact. Jasper National Park, Alberta Canada.
black bearUrsus americanusjasper national parkcanadawildlife
Bighorn Sheep Ram and Ewe
Bighorn Sheep Ram and Ewe, North Fork Shoshone River, Wyoming.
bighorn sheep ramovis canadensisnorth fork shoshone riverwyomingwildlife
