my name is Caleb
Right outside the northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park sits a small town called Red Lodge, MT. To get to it from West Yellowstone two things have to happen. Beartooth Pass must be open and driving must occur. This road on the season’s opening day presented more snow I had seen, ever. Spotting people snowboarding was akin to looking out for wildlife. The lonely whiteness of the landscape contrasted directly with the colorful variations of small town scenery which sported Caleb. “What’s your name?” “Pam.” “I have a Pam.” “How old is your Pam?” “I don’t know. I never asked her.” After addressing me, he peeped into an open shop door, “Hi! I’m Caleb.” I’m not sure which has been more gratifying….meeting a five-year-old uninhibited by social mores or momentarily locking eyes with a wild animal.

mountain goats
Think lederhosen, Alpine villages, Heidi, and you’ll have an image of the elusive animal standing on basalt rock. A non-native species the white-haired creature is difficult to spot. If not for a stand of visitors focusing cameras and binoculars toward a shelf of cliff, I would have never seen this mammal. Snow in crevices at the altitude where these creatures live and being white means locating them on a rocky ledge is a valued feat. Getting close is not gonna happen. I have new respect and admiration for any nature photographer who captures the face and eyes of this animal.

baby bears
Ever watched a film clip of bear cubs playing with each other? Cute, right? We automatically connect to the teasing personalities they exhibit. Yellowstone offers visitors the chance to view that behavior in real time. The trick is seeing them closely, which doesn’t happen often. Bison jams during the spring season is similar to Old Faithful’s scheduled eruptions. They are sure to happen. But a bear jam? Not so much. Traveling home from the highest altitude of the park, we encountered baby bears climbing and jabbing each other in a tree. We couldn’t see mama bear, but she was near. And so were the park rangers. Rangers protect people and animals. They reminded me of real estate agents. Their job is make sure visitors see as much as the park can supply and maintain the uniqueness of the park for future viewers.