Trip Journal & Blog

Happy New Year!!!

January 24th, 2013

Here at EcoTour Adventures we are very excited and humbled that TripAdvisor.com listed us as one of the

 

“GREAT WILDLIFE TOURS OF THE WORLD”       check the below link to see where we stand.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/InfoCenter-a_ctr.wildlifetours

Thanks to our past guests that have posted reviews, we couldn’t of done it without your kind words.   

Grand Tetons

 The New Year has brought some super cold temperatures to the Jackson Hole Area.  Last week we recorded -33 in Teton Village.   These cold

 

temperatures didn’t stop us a bit.  We bundled up and headed out into park for some amazing sights.  

 

 Animal adaptations, both behavioral and physical can be astounding.    A good example of a great behavioral adaption that moose employ to “beat the

 

cold” would be something as simple as laying on their legs.    This reduces the surface area of their body that is exposed to the cold.  YOU BET, that

 

when the temperatures are -20 to -30 that many of our ungulates are laying directly on top of their legs.  

Best tours in Jackson Hole

 

 

An example of a physical adaption that we seen in moose would be their long and hollow guard hairs.  These long guard hairs help block the natural

 

elements (ie. wind, rain, and snow) as well provide great insulation.   

 

If you are interested in maximizing your time in the park observing the area’s wildlife and learning about this great ecosystem do keep us in mind for

 

tours.   

 All of our guides have backgrounds in the sciences and are eager to share their experiences and knowledge with our guests.

 

Wildlife Tours Grand Teton

 

 

We hope to have the opportunity to tour with you down the road!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Just Might Be My Favorite Time To Be In the Parks

August 31st, 2012

Fall is right around the corner.   The temperatures are dropping and we are seeing some changes in the area.    The bison rut is finishing up and the elk are gearing up for their rut.    

2000-01-19_dsc_0370-version-2.jpg 

We have had some frosts the past two weeks (a reminder that it is time to start covering the garden at night once again) but the daytime temperatures are still in the 80ies most days. 

 

September and October is such a great time to tour with EcoTour Adventures.   The crowds are thin and the wildlife is very active.  

 

This just may be my favorite time to be in the parks.  

 

 

For myself the elk are the most interesting to watch.  On tours we view elk from places that most visitors will not find on their own so we have the elk’s behavioral display all to ourselves.     It is captivating to watch them contain their harem of female cow elk. 

2000-01-04_dsc_0738-version-2.jpg 

Typically an adult bull will acquire a harem of 2-26 cows.  On occasion I have seen harems up to 90 cows.   

 

The adult bull works hard to keep his cows contained and to keep the satellite bulls from entering his group of cows.   It’s quite the spectacle to observe. 

dsc_0132-version-2.jpg 

Explore with EcoTour Adventures to observe the natural world in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.  

Grizz 399 and Grizz 610

April 24th, 2012

It’s so great to get reunited with some of the most famous bears in the USA.   Grizzly 399 and her 6 year old daughter, 610.  

610 bears Grand Teton wildlife

Grizzly 399 has been gracing residents and visitors alike with her presence for over a decade.  6 years ago she gave birth to three cubs.  Grizzly bears will typically become reproductively active between 3-8 years of age.  

One of 399’s cubs was named 610.  Just last June we witnessed both 399 and 610 out of hibernation with cubs in tow.   Grizzlies may have anywhere from 1-4 cubs and those cubs are born in the den in January or February.  

Wildlife Tour Grand Teton National Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2011, 399 amazingly enough had three more cubs and 610 had two cubs.   

In the middle of the summer, we started noticing that 610 was traveling and feeding with three cubs and the next day we noticed that 399 only had two in tow.  

A rare cub swap had occurred!   On occasion a sow bear will adopt orphaned cubs.  What is unusual is that the orphaned cub’s mother (399) was alive and healthy.  

 Wildlife Bears Grand Teton National Park

What I believe happened is that 399 and 610 were foraging in close proximity.  At times the cubs will get distracted and wander away from mom.  I have seen it many times before where a cub will then look around for mom and then run towards her.  I believe the cub was distracted, wandered off, saw another bear and then ran towards the other adult bear.  As of last week, 610 is still caring for and teaching “the way of the bear” to her adopted cub.  

Last summer the bear watching was incredible!  All summer and fall on tours we were graced with the presence of these two families and a few other adult grizzlies in the northern section of Grand Teton National Park.  

We only hope that we will be so lucky again.   

 

Join us for an Eco Tour to discover and learn about the wildlife that abounds here in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park.Bear 399 wildlife tetons

EcoTour Adventures Featured in “USA TODAY” Travel Tips

April 5th, 2012

          We are proud to share that EcoTour Adventures is featured in “USA TODAY” Travel Tips.  Read below what they have to say about our tours.   They are highlighting our Yellowstone Programs.  We also offer incredible half and full day Grand Teton EcoTour options.   All of tours provide a superb in-depth introduction to this amazing area.  You will maximize your time in the parks here in Western Wyoming while exploring the wildlife hotspots.      Book with us during the start of your stay in the area.   You will then have the benefit of all that you learned during the rest of your visit.  

 

 

 

 usa-today.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All tours:

 

  • “Small Groups” assure that you receive your desired experience.

     

     

  • Custom “Safari Style” Vehicles!   With our designed roof hatched vehicles you have the comfort, a great perspective, and the safety of viewing wildlife from inside the vehicle as you stand up from you seat!

     

     

  • All “Naturalist Guides” have backgrounds in the natural sciences and an incredible enthusiasm for what they do.  

  • “Wildlife is our Passion”  We are in the field daily for “Work” and for “Play”!   Without wasting time, we take you to where the most recent  wildlife sightings have occurred.    

  • “Hands On Learning” is important for us and you!   We  provide a great naturalist kit with antlers, horns, pelts, skulls, and other visual aids to enhance your Western Wyoming Wildlife EcoTour Experience.  

wildlife tour spotting scope

Tour with us as we are the #1Rated tour operator in Jackson, Wyoming By Trip Advisor.com

Below is what USA Today shared with their on-line community.   You can find a link to this on our Facebook page.      We look forward to seeing you one one of our famous Wildlife and Park EcoTours!!

Jackson Hole Eco-Tour Adventures

Vacationers interested in booking an environmentally friendly vacation can turn to Jackson Hole Eco-Tour Adventures for a very green experience. Wildlife tours of Yellowstone National Park are led by knowledgeable guides who can educate visitors on animal behavior and adaptations, geology, and the cultural history of the park. Moose, bison, elk, wolves, bald eagles, trumpeter swans, black bears and grizzly bears are frequently sighted. The tour lasts approximately 10 to 12 hours and takes place in a four-wheel drive vehicle run on bio-diesel. Guests enjoy morning and afternoon snacks, hot and cold drinks, and an organically grown and locally produced selection of lunch items. Visual aids, binoculars and spotting scopes are provided to help visitors get the best views possible. Tours run from May through October. The price as of February 2010 is $275 for adults and $225 for children under 10. Eco-Tour Adventures 307-690-9533 JacksonHoleWildlifeTours.com


Spring is almost here in the “HOLE”!

March 6th, 2012

It’s the first week of March and it feels like spring is here!   The temperatures have been approaching the mid 40’s but don’t let that fool you, remember we are in Wyoming!   The average lows for this time of the year are generally in the mid teens with highs in the low  40’s.  It seems that we are

 

right on track.   

In Mid March the park service will begin to plow the parks roads.  For just about the entire month of April these roads will be open to non-motorized use.  Break out those roller blades and running shoes, because its wonderful to travel directly below the Teton Mt. Range without the sound of

 

cars driving by.  

Big Horn Sheep Wildlife Tetons

 

Winter tours have been a blast.  On tours we have been lucky enough to spot species like wolves, bison, elk, bighorn sheep,  moose, bald/golden eagles, trumpeter swans, foxes, coyotes, mountain goats, and great grey owls to name a few of the species.

 

We are excited for this spring season as it is one of our favorite times to be in the parks.  The crowds are thin and the wildlife tends to be very active and visible.    During the spring months there is still copious amounts of snow in the mountains and a majority of the wildlife tends to be

 

concentrated in the valley where we conduct our tours.   

The Stinsons enjoying the Tetons

 

We are in the park daily!  We know where the recent sightings are and without wasting time take you directly to those locations.   

 

 

 Join us for a wildlife and park tour not to forget.   

 

 

 Call now for tour availability!