walkwithbears's Identifications

After watching the PBS program The American Buffalo earlier this week, it reminded me that 15 years ago (almost to the day) I came across an American Bison in northwestern Colorado, a location where American Bison are generally not found. I was walking back to my vehicle when I spotted what I thought was the rear end of a stray brown steer walking through the Juniper trees, only about 30 yards away. I walked a bit to my left but still downhill, when all of a sudden it walked out from behind some trees, only about 10 yards from me. I couldn't believe my eyes, and debated as to whether to start running, or to stand there and take some photos ......... Well, I slowly grabbed my camera outta my jacket pocket and quickly snapped off three photos, the best of which is the first photo attached. Fortunately, the Bison bull walked slowly to the right of me as I walked slowly to the left. After the Bison bull had moved away a bit, I walked over and took some photos of the bull's hoof prints.
I told my camp friends about the American Bison, but I had to show them the photos on my camera for them to believe me. A few days later, I had to show the local Game Warden the photos for him to believe me too, as no one had ever seen an American Bison in that area (on public BLM land).

As you can see from the first photo, the Bison bull looks very thin and fairly old. I was worried that the Bison bull might have been suffering from CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) which is found in the area. As you can see from one of his tracks in the second photo, the old bull American Bison may have been hurt as he was dragging his right rear leg a little bit. Unfortunately, he most likely did not survive that Winter season.

Along Mormon-Emigrant Road, approximately midway between Leek Spring Ecological Area and Silver Fork Road (to Kyburz and Highway 50). Elevation about 7,250 feet. Within area of 2021 Caldor Fire impact.

My Photo of the Day taken late yesterday: Osprey flew overhead just above utility wires along Knoxville Road on Northwest side of Lake Berryessa. I saw the Osprey coming and focused on the utility pole top where I thought it would land, but it flew right past the pole so I nailed the photo just before it flew by me with its wings fully spread. Right Place and Right Time. It made the long drive home much easier.

Went fishing at Upper Governors Pond in early evening after Summer temperatures finally cooled down a bit. This was the smallest Bluegill Sunfish caught; estimated length only about 3 inches. Released back into Pond after photos.

Went fishing at Upper Governors Pond in early evening after Summer temperatures finally cooled down a bit. This was the largest Green Sunfish caught; estimated length about 7 inches. Released back into Pond after photos.

Went fishing at Upper Governors Pond in early evening after Summer temperatures finally cooled down a bit. This was a medium sized Bluegill caught; estimated length about 5 inches. Released back into Pond after photos. Last fish caught; getting too damn dark.

One of adult Gray Foxes photographed in July 2020 in www.inaturalist.org/observations/124987903. In 2023, the pair of Gray Foxes apparently have raised their most recent litter in a different backyard further up the hill to the East, but continue to use the same path next to my coworker's house to access one of their hunting areas down in a brushy canyon below suburbia. Photos provided to me by a former coworker.