We took two early morning walks before leaving town, revisiting the Death Canyon Trailhead area. Nice morning for a hike, but we were glad we left when we did, as driving out, we saw a bear near the trail! After a brief one last stop in town, we had lunch at the delicious Bubba's BBQ, and drove south.
We headed south on US-191 through some desolate and beautiful country (and thunderstorms), mountains turning into lowland plains. We were ahead of schedule so stopped at Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge, near Farson. Great visit, and we had a nice conversation with the staff there.
She reccomended a visit to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, in Brigham City, Utah, so we quickly started to rearrange our plans. We stopped for the evening at Evanston, WY.
Morning sunlight on the Death Canyon Trail.
A nice view of Mount Moran.
The famous elk antlers in downtown Jackson!
We ran into bad storms on US-191 south of Pinedale.
Green River, at Seedskadee NWR, Wyoming
BIRDING: Early morning as we left the hotel there were YELLOW-HEADED and BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS at the hotel birdfeeder. Early in the AM we headed to Devil's Canyon Trail again. We saw RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, WESTERN TANAGER, and CHIPPING SPARROWS. There was also a BLACK BEAR as we were leaving the trail from the parking lot.
At the Elk Refuge, another look at eclipse plumaged ducks, TRUMPTER SWANS and SANDHILL CRANES.
Before leaving the Tetons, we took one more hike at String Lake. WESTERN TANAGERS, DARK-EYED JUNCOS, EMPIDONIX FLYCATCHER, COMMON RAVEN, SWAINSONS THRUSH (a sighting actually rather than just hearing him!) There was also a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER feeding young.
Near Farson, Wyoming, we found a dead SAGE GROUSE on Highway 28. At Seedskadee NWR, very high winds made birding not very productive. SAGE THRASHER and KILLDEER were seen, along with a resting COMMON NIGHTHAWK that flew up too fast for a photo! RED-TAILED HAWK was also seen, and a GREAT BLUE HERON.
Jackson, WY: Yellow-Headed Blackbird
National Elk Refuge, Jackson WY: Sandhill Crane (Melissa)
Devils Canyon Trail in Grand Teton National Park: Ruby-Crowned Kinglet
This Black Bear was sighted on Devils Canyon Rd, Grand Teton National Park (Melissa's photo)
Mystery Empidonax Flycatcher: Spring Lake Trail, Grand Teton Nat'l Park
Common Raven: Spring Lake Trail, Grand Teton National Park. (Melissa)
Swainson's Thrush (not the best photo, but I don't have a better one!): Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.
Empidonax Flycatcher: Spring Lake Trail, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Chipping Sparrow: Spring Lake Trail, Grand Teton National Park
Dark-Eyed Junco: Spring Lake Trail, Grand Teton National Park
Yellow-Rumped Warber (Audubon's), showing off how it got its name! (Spring Lake Trail, Grand Teton National Park)
Yellow-Rumped Warber (immature Audubon's): Spring Lake Trail, Grand Teton National Park
Sadly, this was our first view of a Sage Grouse (on Highway 28 near Seedskadee NWR, Wyoming)
Pronghorn Antelope: Seedskadee NWR, Wyoming
Sage Thrasher: Seedskadee NWR, Wyoming
Jackrabbit: Seedskadee NWR, Wyoming
Sage Grouse mount at Seedskaee NWR, Wyoming. (Melissa's photo)
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