Roads End Naturalist

Exploring the natural world as we wander at the end of the road

Author: Mike Dunn

  • Colt

    I spent a bit of time this week observing a sandhill crane family feeding near Junction Butte. Not sure which is cuter – a baby bison or this little guy. Read more…

    Written by

    Mike Dunn

  • Calliope

    I have wanted to see a male calliope hummingbird ever since learning they are in Yellowstone a few years ago. We spotted one on a hike recently and it had returned to the same area when we walked back so I hung around for a bit and was rewarded with a very lucky close encounter… Read more…

    Written by

    Mike Dunn

  • Dusky Dust-up

    With a friend’s birding group soon to visit, I went out looking for dusky grouse that Melissa could share with them on her tour. I got more than I bargained for. Read more…

    Written by

    Mike Dunn

  • Avian Hovercraft

    While we were driving home earlier this week Melissa spotted a hovering kestrel and then another. We turned back and parked in a pullout and watched these aerobatic raptors as they showcased their amazing abilities while hunting. Read more…

    Written by

    Mike Dunn

  • A Weekend Ramble in the Park

    Melissa and I ventured into the park this past weekend to enjoy a break in the weather. Portions of the road system to the interior of the park opened on Friday afternoon so we took advantage of that and traveled south for the day where we were lucky to observe this huge male grizzly. Read more…

    Written by

    Mike Dunn

  • It Must Be Spring (?)

    Spring is happening here in Yellowstone in spite of the winter storm warning today. These last two weeks I have been out in the park observing the changes as many species return and new life begins. Read more…

    Written by

    Mike Dunn

  • A Birdy Year

    We have enjoyed learning about our bird neighbors this past year. While many park visitors don’t pay much attention to the feathered wildlife of Yellowstone, we find them to be fascinating and want to learn more about how they live on this landscape we now call home. Read more…

    Written by

    Mike Dunn

  • First Grizzly!

    I really enjoy observing grizzly bears and seeing my first one of this season was very special. Read more…

    Written by

    Mike Dunn

  • Duck, Duck, Goose

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    Though we have plenty of wildlife to watch near home, we miss the large flocks of winter waterfowl back in NC. To remedy that, we headed to a couple of locations in the prairie pothole region of central Montana to observe migrating birds. Read more…

    Written by

    Mike Dunn

  • Update on Scavenger’s Delight

    I’ve been checking the bison carcasses at Blacktail Ponds in hopes of seeing a grizzly. No bear as yet, but plenty of other wildlife action in that area. Read more…

    Written by

    Mike Dunn