Yellowstone National Park. Part Two

8-29-12

The first thing we saw when we got into the park on Wednesday was a buffalo. It seems that we have seen a lot of buffalo as singles or pairs. There have been only a couple of groups that had a dozen or more.



Our first stop for the day was at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.



There was a group of tourists from Great Britain that had a tour guide who was telling them that when they saw this there would be no need to see the “Grand Canyon”. Then later we overheard someone saying that this is no comparison to the “Grand Canyon”. Even though this is magnificent, it in no way compares to the grand and expansiveness of the “Grand Canyon”. They are both beautiful, but it’s like comparing apples and oranges.



This picture is of the Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River.



Some nice person took pity on us and took a picture of the both of us with the Falls in the back ground.



Another shot of the Falls with some of the canyon in the foreground.



There are many different colors in the canyon, but you can see how Yellowstone got it’s name.

 

On the road you see lots of personalized plates that relate to traveling. We thought this one was especially appropriate.

 

This was the only group of buffalo that we saw close to the road. If you look closely you'll see the calf was nursing.



We had never stopped at the West Thumb Geyser Basin before. We sure are glad we didn’t bypass it again. This geyser basin is unique because it is along the shoreline of Yellowstone Lake.



These are two pictures of the Seismograph Springs.





In addition to the crystal clear springs there were a few mud pots in the area.



This is called the Fishing Cone. You could not see the geyser but you could hear it percolating.



When I saw this duck I thought it was a Bufflehead, but after looking it up in the book I think it’s a Lesser Scaup.



These next two pictures of the Black Pool Spring look almost like a coral reef.





The Abyss Pool was interesting because of all the different vibrant colors.







While driving today we crossed the Continental Divide twice.



Of course we had to stop at Old Faithful Geyser. While driving down a hill we could see Old Faithful erupting, so we had to wait an hour for the next event. It’s still amazes me how it can continue to erupt on a schedule. It was only 4 minutes late. The eruptions are decreasing in height as time goes by.

We watched a movie in the visitors center that explained the “plumbing” through which the thermal waters flow. Numerous small earthquakes happen in Yellowstone daily. Those small earthquakes disrupt the “plumbing” and flowage. One day Old Faithful will no longer erupt and other new geysers will form.



It’s starting to burp.



A little stronger.



A little Strooooonger.



Now it’s starting to show off.





Well, I guess it’s done for the next hour until it can build up its steam again.



Of course, what’s the last animal we see as we leave the park? It’s a lone Buffalo.

 

Until next time,

Dave and Sandy

Yellowstone National Park. Part 1.

8-28-2012

Our first day in Yellowstone National Park was Tuesday the 28^th.



We saw a moose at this stop but he was so far out we did not get a good picture of him, so we decided to put this picture of a heron that was also in the stream.



When we come into the park from the town of West Yellowstone we travel about 12 miles along the Madison river. This is one of the better stretches to see wildlife.



Terrace Springs.



Beryl Spring is interesting because it has a bubbling spring along with a couple of steam vents.



While traveling through the park we wanted to check out it’s campgrounds. When we turned into Norris Campground this buffalo was sitting in a wallow.



When we came out he was rolling in the wallow (which we did not get on film) but he then stood up and shook off some of that dust.

 



Not very far down the road we came to a halt. I wonder what could be holding up the traffic? Well……





Of course, “Buffalo”. This pair was just taking their sweet time strolling down the road.





There was a motorcycle a couple of cars behind us and at our next stop at Mammoth Hot Springs we visited with him a little. He said that after the car behind me got by the buffalo, both buffalo moved over and took over both lanes.
They look a lot bigger when you’re sitting on a motorcycle!!!!







Mammoth Hot Springs has changed a lot since we were here in 2008. They seem to be drying up as you will see in some of our 2012 vs 2008 pictures.
There are still some very picturesque areas.



This area was pretty much wet when we were here in 2008. Now it’s dry as a bone and looks like a salt bed.



Picture taken in 2012….



This photo is from 2008.



Here is a picture from 2012….



And here is one from 2008. What a difference.







In 2008 the color was all along the face of the springs.



This is the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.



In the town of Mammoth Hot Springs they have to protect their flowers from the herd of elk in the area. When we came here previously we have always seen elk, but on this trip there was not one to be seen.





We finally saw some elk and they were on that 12-mile stretch along the Madison that I mentioned at the beginning.



A few more elk were resting nearby the banks of the Madison River.



Until next time,

Dave and Sandy