Yellowstone National Park January 2019
Would you believe..... pine branches?
January and February bring very cold temperatures to the park resulting hoar frost, beautiful ice crystal deposits, lending to the winter wonderland effect.
Be Careful Little One.
A Killdeer carefully navigates a steaming fountain pot in Yellowstone National Park.
Ethereal Landscape
A mysterious atmosphere envelopes the lone tourist as he walks past the geyser fog framed by dead lodgepole pines.
Those Eyes....
What is he saying?. If I could only read the thoughts behind those amber beacons. Is he challenged by my lens? Does he even see me? Is he curious about my world as I am his?
We Think The Snow Is Pretty....
but I doubt the bison enjoy it. They must push the snow out of the way with their mighty heads to find bits of grass several feet underneath.
Thermal Pool Near Prismatic Basin
Every bend in the road yields beauty of some sort. Here, a deep blue thermal pool is framed with virgin snow as steam rises from its surface.
From Home Page Collection
A Cold Morning
It was early light with temperatures well below freezing when we saw this red fox curled up....his tail wrapped around him snugly.
From Home Page Collection
Lone Tree - Hayden Valley
An iconic, photography location in Yellowstone National Park, the snow-covered hills resemble white sand dunes reaching for the sky. Against the dramatic backdrop, the cluster of trees stands defiant against the bitter winter storms.
Lone Tree - Hayden Valley in Monochrome
An iconic, photography location in Yellowstone National Park, the snow-covered hills resemble white sand dunes reaching for the sky. Against the dramatic backdrop, the cluster of trees stands defiant against the bitter winter storms.
Girls On The Move
These bison cows commandeered the road as they moved on to different feeding grounds. Can you spot the pregnant belly?
From Home Page Collection
A Vast World
This red fox has the place all to himself. He was too far away to capture a great photograph, but we enjoyed watching him dive into the snow as he hunted for his dinner.
Flying High
A Trumpeter Swan flies high above the snow-covered mountains.
The Reflection
We watched this coyote hunt along the bank of the Madison River. In this image, he has paused for a moment and seems to be studying his image reflected in the water. I wonder.....is he pondering his likeness? Or his he looking through the mirror for fish?
From Home Page Collection
Three Swans a Swimming
I couldn't capture a good photo of Seven Swans a Swimming so I settled for three. The two gray ones are young cygnets. Males, known as Cobs, and females, known as Pens, form a close bond and usually mate for life. I'm not sure if this is a Cob or a Pen swimming with the youngsters.
Many trumpeters migrate from colder climates, such as Alaska, to ice-free water for the winter.From Swans
Ted, Don and Tim walked the extra mile for a photo op.
Members of our group making their way back to the snow coach.
Ice Fishing Anyone?
I've always associated Great Blue Herons with warmer weather, but here is this guy, fishing in an icy tributary of the Madison River.
A Common Scene in Yellowstone
Bison often take to the roads just as we do for ease of traveling, and when they do, they have the right of way.
From Bison
American Dipper
This plain, little, gray, aquatic bird has a beautiful voice no matter the weather. He will sing among the icicles of mountain streams, not waiting for spring, to bring forth his beautiful song.
Rush Hour in Yellowstone
A single file line of snowmobiles is stopped....most likely waiting for bison to move off the road.
Eyes and Ears of the Park
Ravens are a common sight throughout the park and love to rest on the snowmobiles. Gregarious, omnivorous, opportunistic, and quite intelligent, one must be careful with one's belongings. These Aves have been known to open containers and steal food.
Territorial?
Indeed they are. This guy seems to have marked this snowmobile as his own.
Curious Birds
Ravens are attracted to bright, shiny objects, love to play with one another, and usually mate for life. They have a strong sense of community and have demonstrated problem-solving skills through trial and error. When they find a large carcass, ravens will often alert wolves to the site and wait for the wolves to open the carcass making it easier for them to eat the scraps.
What an outstanding group to travel with!
We had a great time.
Frosted trees juxtaposed against a puffy cottonball, blue sky in Midway Geyser Basin
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Castle Geyser in Upper Geyser Basin
This is a cone geyser, formed over millions of years from boiling hot mineral water spewing over the top, adding layer upon layer of sediment around the spout.
Crested Pool Hot Spring. Good Reason To Stay On The Boardwalk
But some people don't heed the warnings. This was the site where a nine-year-old boy died after falling into the boiling hot water in 1970. More than 20 people have succumbed from accidents or suffered severe burns in and around the natural thermal events of Yellowstone. Parents, hold on to your children.
Always the prankster!
And there is Tim Dawson, the Brit from the U.K., photobombing my picture of our fantastic, fabulous guide, Ellen Folman.
Sun Star
The sun shines brightly on the path to Grotto Geyser in Upper Geyser Basin. The temperature is below 32, but I'm shedding layers with the warmth of the bright orb.
Braving the Winter Storm
This guy is handsome enough to be Big Man On Campus this spring if he makes it through the winter.
From Western Wildlife
An Oldie but Goodie
Grotto Geyser is classified as a fountain geyser. Its odd shape is the result of sinter deposited over dead trees stumps throughout the years lending a most unique appearance. The cavities will spew water and steam during eruptions. With all of its gurgling and eructations, my active imagination pegs it as a boiling witch's cauldron.
Portrait of a Bison in Monochrome
Those aren't gray hairs. It's the frosty face of a bison who has been foraging for grass beneath the snow.
From Bison
No Matter the Season, There Is Always Plenty To Do In Yellowstone
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Interesting Stuff!
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It's chilly here for sure!
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Happy friends on the snow coach
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More happy faces in the front of the coach
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Video: Elk foraging by the road in a snow storm
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