Spotting Animals in Jackson Wyoming

On a weekend in Feb. we had visitors. The weekend was filled with food, fun and a usual activity. 

Our usual thing to do when my daughter and her family come to see us is to go for a drive to see what we can see. Antelope, deer, elk, bison, bears, moose and once a porcupine in a tree have been seen on past drives. This time we saw elk, coyotes, big horn sheep and a mama moose with her calf. 

I didn't get any really great pictures since most of the animals were far away and the light in the snow storm was bad. Mostly we  watched nature's outdoor show through binoculars.

The big horn sheep were hanging out on a hill on the National Elk Refuge.

Way off in the distance is part of the elk herd on the refuge this year.

This is mama moose. Her calf was in some bushes close by. This was near the Gros Ventre River near the town of Kelly.

Being able to see scenes like these if just one of the reasons living in or visiting the Jackson Wyoming area so special. It also makes me sometimes wish that I had a better camera and was good at using it. 

Back with more again soon. Take care, stay safe and stay cozy!

With family

We got to spend a long weekend with daughter, son in law and grandkids.

I live in an area where it can be a great adventure just to drive around because you never know what you might find. Around Jackson it is always worth it to stop if you see several cars pulled over and lots of cameras with big expensive lenses attached.

We came across just such a situation while driving down the road inside the National Elk Refuge. Of course we had binoculars and started using them to find out what the professional photographers were camped out to get pictures of. It was a small group of wolves! They were too far away for me to even try taking pictures with my camera and no tripod but it was wonderful to sit and watch them for awhile. During the same drive we of course saw elk and big horn sheep.

We also went to the Historical Society Museum in Jackson. It is a favorite stop for the grandkids. I found a cute piece if antler art that made me smile just to look at it. We all enjoyed the displays and my granddaughter always likes the dress up area with prairie style clothes.

After having some lunch we did one more of our favorite drives. This one is on Antelope Flats outside of Jackson, going through the town of Kelly, Wyoming. Crossing the road right in front of us was a moose and her calf.

The rest of the weekend was spent just being together with card games, watching olympics, food and fun.

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Moose and Art

We saw quite a few animals not far from our home over the weekend. I told you all about a moose on my other blog in this post. In thinking about that I wondered how artists might be using moose in their work on Zibbet where I have a shop, a bit inactive right now but my shop nevertheless.

I came across a shop that I thought was amazing so I wanted to share it with you here. The shop is Quilling by Sandra White. The moose you see above is in her shop. She also does flowers, Christmas ornaments and scenes that she calls window boxes. When you go check out her shop make sure and take a look at some of her birds too. They are so charming!

Moose and a Surprise

I said yesterday I had some things to share about my weekend. Well here goes...

Jim and I attended the 52nd annual Spring Fling put on by the St. John's Hospital Auxiliary. The event was held in a lodge on Jackson Lake in Teton National Park. My outside pictures did not turn out so great because the days were rather cloudy and even snowy at times.

As we left home we had someone to wish us a good time.

All the way to the lodge you could see animals, mostly buffalo and elk. Where ever there were cars stopped to take pictures, and there were a lot since the visitors have started to arrive, I wanted to say,

"Take your pictures on the road folks but I have actually had those guys in my own backyard and how cool is that, huh?".

I can understand why they do it though. There is no place on earth like Jackson Hole. I am lucky to be here and I know that.

The Spring Fling was a fundraiser that included dinner, a dance and a silent auction. My surprise was that Jim bid on a necklace I liked and had the winning bid. I don't usually wear pieces this big but I love the colors and the wire work. The necklace was made by Bev Hoffman who works at St. John's Hospital.

A little more than a month...

Yes it has been more than a month since I moved to Jackson and what an interesting month it has been. Lots has happened starting with the mundane moving tasks of unpacking boxes and deciding where every thing goes in the new spaces. We had our taxes done which came out a bit different than we were expecting and not really in a good way. One cheerful time was Valentine's Day when I was presented with the bouquet of roses you see here. Actually they came the day after because the florist was swamped with orders and did not get to my house until the 15th but that is okay. I am not the type to get upset but such things.

Of course there were animals around. Remember this visitor? We saw our first moose very up close. This mom and calf washed the truck one day and came back to do the trailer the next. They seemed to like the salt from Utah roads that was in the dirt or that is what we figure. They also spent some time chewing on the lower branches of our trees. I also saw an elk cow tumble down a hill in a snow slide coming home from the grocery store.

We had company over Presidents Day Weekend. Animals, lots of snow, four wheeler rides, trying out a new snow blower, card games, sewing projects and a trip to Town Square to see the snow sculptures kept us all busy and happy.

I have watched from my living room window as the clouds build over these mountains. It seems to snow here every day at least a little bit. When the clouds clear and the sun is shining in a beautiful blue sky it takes my breath away. At night since there is no big city light pollution the stars in the sky on a clear night are without number. The sheer beauty of this place makes the long winters bearable. I do admit however that I want to see what our yards look like and how big the deck on the back of the house really is. That mystery is covered by about 3 feet of snow.

One last bit of the ordinary, I rediscovered how much I like to bake, especially bread. I also actually made a very tender pot roast the other day after having a few flops.

Don't know when I will blog again. I make grand plans but always seem to go off track. You never know, it may be tomorrow or it may be next month. However to all my readers thanks for stopping by and hope you are all doing well with whatever life has in store for you these days.

One last personal note. Bill, I wish you and the lady of the house well in your downsizing and moving adventures. I will be waiting to see your stories about becoming an Okie.

New Neighbors

 I am so excited to be around all the animals that can be found in the Jackson area.

  During the holidays while wandering around getting to know the area we got to see elk, moose, deer, bison and big horn sheep. Some day I would like a chance to see the wolves of Yellowstone and I should have plenty of time to get that accomplished, if not this year then the next.

I wish my pictures were better but I just had a point and shoot with me and no tripod. With all the possibilities for finding these neighbors out and about I am sure I will bore you with many more pictures of them in the years to come.

I would encourage any visitor to Jackson WY this time of year to go to the east end of town past the hospital and creep along The National Elk Refuge Road. The views of the elk, bison and sheep were amazing and different every time.