Cruising around looking for wildlife in the early morning hours is one of my favorite pastimes. You don’t really need to be looking for anything in particular because if you don’t see what you want, you will surely come across something else equally exciting. This morning I was on my way back to the lodge after not seeing a heck of a whole lot when I came across a mother deer and two twins. We decided to stop for a bit and see what would happen. Typically, a family of deer will run deep into the woods. This time the mother did, however, the two babies started playing together, darting into the woods and towards their mother and then running back out. It was a sight to see! These are not the best photos but the memories they bring are priceless.

My latest trip over the summer to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming exceeded my expectations. I started coming approximately 7 years ago and every year since then I’ve had unique experiences and photo opportunities whether I’ve stayed for a day or two or up to a week at a time. Let’s just say, it hasn’t gotten boring yet! I was fortunate to see and hear large herds (cows, calves, young bulls) of elk multiple times this trip, as well as, moose, sandhill cranes, deer (fawns), and marmots.

When we came up with the plan to visit Saratoga, WY the primary goal was to get out of town, take a break, do some snowshoeing, and soak in the hot springs.  Wildlife viewing was on the table but not in any sort of expected, planned way.  I half (okay, all the way) wanted to see some moose on our drive through the Poudre Canyon and Walden (moose viewing capital of the world) on the way to Saratoga but didn’t expect to fulfill those desires.  Sadly, we didn’t see a thing except snowy, windswept landscapes that were glowing in the on and off again sun.  Unfortunately, I would have been looking straight into the wind and blinding snow with my camera, so I only have memories of this weather.