It’s 15 degrees this morning, with clear skies above.

I see a snowshoe hare dashing across the road just east of the chapel in Mammoth. “Hi Chloe” I call.

At Nature Trail, Jeff is just setting up, Doug Mac is here too. Jeff has some ravens off to the south and tries to make them mean a new carcass.

But it doesn’t quite materialize.

We try Hellroaring but find only bison.

We drive further east and are surprised to learn that the Junctions were seen at Slough earlier today. For whatever reason, we never heard a radio call.

Apparently, 10 Junction wolves (8 black and 2 gray) were sighted from Lamar Canyon West but are now moving west.

Jeff and Rick climb a hill north of Longs and manage a quick glimpse of them. But the snow is deep and I cannot get up the hill as fast as they can, so when I arrive, it’s too late.

I move to Boulder while Quinn goes to Curve. He spots them briefly again west of Little Mom’s Ridge. But again, I miss them.

As I scan the area, I find a coyote and a few bighorn sheep.

It all adds up to a frustrating morning for me. It’s my birthday today, and I thought it might bring me luck.

Jeff and I scope the big ski lot but have no luck here either.

It’s now 1:30 and I am still wolfless.

Since it’s such a gorgeous day, I decide to try hiking out to Bob’s Knob in case a straggler or two is still around.

I see lots of wolf tracks, but not the track makers. Ah well.

It’s well after 2PM so, time to head back west.

At Floating Island I near hit a grouse just as the road starts to curve. I slam on the brakes and the nutty bird moves just in time.

The day has warmed up, so Jeff and I stop at Nature Trail and scope for an hour in the sunshine. We see another coyote, some handsome bull elk and many bison.

On our way up from the high bridge to Mammoth we see a few mule deer.

Jeff has gallantly suggested we celebrate my birthday with dinner at Wonderland, which is so very nice of him.

We have a good time, with delicious food, some tasty wine and a chocolate treat for dessert.

Today I saw: bison, two coyotes, mule deer, elk, a snowshoe hare, a grouse, bighorn sheep and the spirits of Allison, Richard, Jeff and Chloe.