For the past two weeks the bald eagle's nest located on Spring Creek Ranch has had both parents sitting on or near the nest. 

This is great news and hopefully we'll be seeing eggs and chicks by Spring.  The image to the right was taken today and isn't very sharp since it was taken almost a 1/2 mile away to give the parents some privacy.

Snow continues to blanket our valley but signs of Spring are beginning to appear.  Red-winged blackbirds have returned and are typically one of the first migrants to show up in Jackson Hole.  Moose are starting to lose their thick winter coats, while birds such as ravens, great-horned owls and bald eagles are starting to think about the upcoming breeding season.  This bull elk (seen to left) was the first bull on the National Elk Refuge to have shed its antlers this year. Other large bulls are sure to follow.

Clear skies last night aided perfect viewing of the full moon as well as winter constellations, Mars and Saturn.  Tonight's moon is waning but will be along side Saturn to the east in early evening hours.  Wildlife sightings have been exceptional during recent safaris and have included wolves, a mink, river otters and several raptors.  During yesterday's snowshoe hike on Spring Creek Ranch, we had the year's first sighting of a bald eagle perched on our resident eagle nest.  We will keep our fingers crossed that our eagle pair successfully raise chicks this year.

Jackson Hole never fails to disappoint with wildlife sightings and interesting wildlife behaviors, but animals such as this river otter certainly add spice to our wildlife safaris.  Otter sightings are not common but, when seen, are always a highlight of one of our excursions since these aquatic critters seem to truly love their unique lifestyle.  Active year-round, these large weasels are seen occasionally but not predictably. Other highlights from today's safari included moose, bighorn sheep, bison, mule deer, bald eagles, rough-legged hawks, a red-tailed hawk and (of course) thousands of elk on the National Elk Refuge.

Our feathered predators seem to be finding their rodent meals successfully this year and several raptors have been more regularly seen this winter than in the past.  This great-horned owl sat contently in the soft light of sunset tonight as it scanned the nearby fields for mice or voles.