Trips: Tetons Winter 2023 Wildlife And Elk Migration

A dry early winter led many elk to delay their annual migration, allowing special moments witnessing great herds of thousands of elk grazing and storming to higher ground when predators drew near.

I am not sure I have witnessed a more mesmerizing sight in all my trips to the Tetons than this stampede of thousands of elk...
Elk Migration

I am not sure I have witnessed a more mesmerizing sight in all my trips to the Tetons than this stampede of thousands of elk in the bitter cold of dawn, down and across these hills outside the valley where they will seek shelter for the winter.

In the bitter sub-zero cold, a large herd of elk create a cloud of vapor from their heavy breathing.
Vapor

In the bitter sub-zero cold, a large herd of elk create a cloud of vapor from their heavy breathing.

More than a thousand  elk stampede through the snow and in the bitter cold aacross these hill, keeping a wary eye on the predators...
Winter Migration

More than a thousand elk stampede through the snow and in the bitter cold aacross these hill, keeping a wary eye on the predators that follow close behind.

Thousands of elk begin the final leg of their migration from the Gros Ventre.
Pandemonium

Thousands of elk begin the final leg of their migration from the Gros Ventre.

Elk Flight

Elk Flight

Elk Retreat

Elk Retreat

Do You Love Me?

Do You Love Me?

Solitary File

Solitary File

Where Is She?

Where Is She?

A large bull moose has been sleeping in these fields of bitterrbrush for much of the day.    A light snow has begun to fall and...
What Did I Hear?

A large bull moose has been sleeping in these fields of bitterrbrush for much of the day. A light snow has begun to fall and the thick insulation that keeps these moose warm in winter keeps too the snow from melting. After stretching and slowly standing, this bull looks off to the river bottoms where other moose may be feeding.

A coyote hunts for rodents in the winter snow.  After finally catching two rodents, he emits a series of yips, alerting his family...
Winter Hunt

A coyote hunts for rodents in the winter snow. After finally catching two rodents, he emits a series of yips, alerting his family across a distant meadow that he will be home with dinner soon, and they respond with their yips of excitement. It is a magical scene. When dad arrives, he is mauled by a several pups before the family settles in.

Siblings

Siblings

Where the Ladies Drink
Where the Ladies Drink

Where the Ladies Drink

A large bull moose is ready for the rut.
Patriarch

A large bull moose is ready for the rut.

A family of otters play on the shores of this river where they find numerous fish half their size.
Otter Slide

A family of otters play on the shores of this river where they find numerous fish half their size.

Winter' Fall

Winter' Fall

Preparing for the Storm

Preparing for the Storm

A Redhead Duck dries her wings on Jackson Lake.
Redhead Duck

A Redhead Duck dries her wings on Jackson Lake.

A herd of nearly a thousand elk has congregated behind this butte where they will feed and enjoy some protection from the winter...
Behind the Butte

A herd of nearly a thousand elk has congregated behind this butte where they will feed and enjoy some protection from the winter storms that will surely come.

Gathering Elk

Gathering Elk

A small herd of mule deer pause for a bit of warmth by the hot springs on this cold winter morning.
Steam Bath

A small herd of mule deer pause for a bit of warmth by the hot springs on this cold winter morning.

A coyote crosses the frozen waters of Oxbow Bend.
Only the Lonely

A coyote crosses the frozen waters of Oxbow Bend.

A large bull moose surveys the valley and river bottoms to the west.
Moose Survey

A large bull moose surveys the valley and river bottoms to the west.