of my camera and their antics produce some great memories. Constantly locked in a battle to protect
their food from the beaks of hungry
magpies, the coyotes put on quite
the show as they chase the scavengers off.
Open sections of water along the
Lamar, Yellowstone and Gardiner
Rivers provide refuge for several
species of birds. Waterfowl, like the
Common Goldeneyes, can frequently be seen flying along the rivers.
These birds feed on small aquatic insects found in the open water.
The confluence of the Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek is a great
place to sit and watch these birds in
action. The American dipper is another diving bird that can be found
in these stretches of open water.
Golden and bald eagles can also be
seen flying, or perched in the trees,
along the rivers. Occasionally one
of these eagles can be seen swoop-
26
Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine | Fall 2014
ing down to pluck waterfowl from
the water’s edge.
Whether it is the hot springs at
Mammoth or the elk and bison in
Lamar Valley, life in the Yellowstone
National Park is in a constant battle
with the elements. Winter weather slows the pace of the park down
and makes it a great time of year
for watching wildlife or taking a
hike around the hot springs. The
snow and frigid temperatures
transform the park into a magical