Mega-fauna of Yellowstone

Yellowstone is more than just a collection of geothermal features, it is America's premier wildlife habitat.  Step away from the developed areas and you step into a different time and place, a place where the animals reign.

Bison are so plentiful in the park that after a while you are tempted to say, "just another bison".

There were plenty of elk, too, but only a few males presented themselves for a close up.  I would have liked some shots of the cows and calves but they didn't cooperate.

For years I have wanted to get a shot of pronghorn but they have always stayed out of reach from my lens.

The mature males were still elusive, here one was hiding behind some sage with only the back of his head and horns peeking out.

This black bear mom and cub was also hiding behind the vegetation.  I would have liked to have seen a grizzly (from a distance) but none appeared.

We did spot a wolf, though, trotting through a herd of bison.  It was quite a ways from the road, almost out of range for my lens.  It appears to have a radio collar.

We had hoped to see moose but were out of luck.  We didn't see sheep, either though if we had hiked up Mt. Wasburn we might have.  I'm not complaining, there is an amazing variety of wildlife in Yellowstone and I am pleased with what we did see.  I guess we'll just need to return.

Skies from our Trip

We were camping recently at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone.

Our first stop was the North Rim where we were greeted by mostly clear skies.

When we got to Yellowstone and our campsite on the Madison we were treated to a few clouds and sprinkles.

At Norris Geyser Basin the sky seemed to come to Earth as the steam rose up to meet it.

As we left Yellowstone the sky had turned an unrelenting blue, a promise of hot days to come, time to head for home.

For those who might be wondering, yes, we did see Gaelyn and Mike when we were at the Grand Canyon.  We had a lovely visit and got some tips on where to hike.

These have been some of the skies we saw on our recent trip, to see other skies from around the world visit Sandy and Sylvia at SkyWatch, Friday.

Bridge or Arch?

While the terms "natural bridge" and "natural arch" are often used interchangeably, geologists usually make a distinction.

Rainbow Bridge

 The term "bridge" is usually used to indicate a span that has been eroded by a stream running through it.

Double Arch

Arches are also formed by water but by the freezing and thawing and chemical weathering of water.

Linked to Sunday Bridges, hosted for us by Louis at San Francisco Daily Photo.

The Parks of Moab

Our next stop was Moab, Utah where two National Parks and one State Park awaited us.

 Our first stop was Dead Horse Point State Park.  This afforded us a great view of Canyonlands and the Colorado River.

 We also had a view of some salt ponds where water saturated with potassium chloride and sodium chloride is left to evaporate and the salts are then harvested.  The mountains in the background are the "La Sal" mountains.  Fittingly, la sal means salt in Spanish.  The are sits atop a large deposit of Potassium and Sodium salts, the remnant of an ancient sea.

 This overlook was withing the boundaries of Canyonlands National Park.  We didn't go down into the canyons, it is rugged land and the roads are unpaved.

 The following day we headed to Arches National Park where the features are quite different.  We took several short hikes.

 On this hike our destination was landscape arch.  You can gage its size by the figure in the corner.

We didn't have the blue skies of earlier days but even on this gray, cloudy day the color of the rocks was spectacular.

You can find more scenes of the great outdoors at "Outdoor Wednesday" hosted for us by Susan at A Southern Daydreamer.

Capital Reef National Park

Capital Reef is one of the lesser known parks in the National Park System.  It is out of the way but well worth a visit

 Two features give this park its name.  The first is the white domes that resemble the dome of our nation's capital.

 The second is the cliffs or "reefs" forming a barrier that made travel difficult.

 Life was hard for the Mormon pioneers and they willingly sold their land to the Park Service.  There remain not only restored pioneer buildings but orchards with heirloom trees nurtured by the Park Service.  Visitors can eat what they like in the orchard or harvest some to take home for a fee.

 Evidence of earlier cultures still remains like this granary

 and these pictographs.

 An easy hike took us to a low natural bridge

and the more spectacular Hickman Bridge.

You can see more of our world by going to That's My World, Tuesday, hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren and Sylvia.

Frosting on the Hoodoos

The next stop was Bryce Canyon where a different type of formation awaited us.

 The hoodoos of Bryce and what a treat for the photographer.

Snow had started to fall while we were at breakfast but the skies were clearing by the time we got to the rim.

 The slippery trails kept us from our planned hike but it gave us some great photo-ops!

 It was cold and the wind was whipping up the snow but still, it was Bryce at its most beautiful.

Even better, someone else had to deal with the snow and wind while we traveled in comfort.  Our driver was a retired firefighter and knew how to handel large rigs in adverse conditions.

The sky that morning was so beautiful that I am linking to SkyWatch Friday and send my thanks to Klaus, Sandy, Wren and Sylvia for hosting this meme.

On to Zion

The day after our orientation We headed our for a week on the road; first stop, Zion National Park.

Zion may be in the desert but when we were there we saw plenty of water.  Here it was sheeting over Weeping Rock.

At the end of the park road, a place called Temple of Sinawava, another waterfall leaps over the cliff and cascades down the rocks

 A closer look at the cascades.

The Virgin River at the end of the River Trail, sometimes people can wade into the water and walk up the narrows.  Followers of Geogypsy may remember that she posted about this hike in 2009.  I don't think she would want to make that hike now.  The river is high, swift and loaded with sediment.

More watery scenes can be found at Watery Wednesday, hosted for us by too sweetnsaxy.

Shadow Shot Sunday

One of many sets of stone stairs on trails in Yosemite built by the CCC during the depression.

More shadows for Shadow Shot Sunday can be found at Hey Harriet, hosted for us by Tracy in Brisbane.

Yosemite—My World

Everyone has seen the icons of Yosemite, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan.  There is more to this place.  In early spring the dogwood blooms under the towering pines and cedars.

At Bridal Veil Falls, turn your back to that beauty and look to the east shoulder of El Capitan.  There you will see Horse Tail Fall only during spring run off.

At the same place, look to your left to see what is actually the tallest fall in Yosemite.  Since Ribbon Fall only flows in spring it doesn’t get that honor officially.

It’s ok to be inspired by Yosemite Falls but don’t overlook the majestic cliffs to the right.

Pull your eyes from Half Dome and appreciate the other domes above the Valley.

Don’t forget the meadows.  This view to the west was one I especially appreciated.  Usually there is so much air pollution  coming into the valley from the San Joaquin that the sky and granite are washed with a gray haze.

Don’t be like me, always rushing around to see the next view, get the next picture.  Emulate this woman and her dog, just enjoy being in the place, in the moment.  Enjoy the grandeur and the peace of Yosemite.

Find more views of our wonderful world at My World Tuesday, hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy and Sylvia.

Half Dome--Weekend Reflections

What's this, an impressionist's painting of Half Dome?

It's backwards!
No, it is Half Dome reflected in Mirror Lake.
We had a wonderful time in Yosemite this week and all of my shots are of incredibly blue skies and raging water. It was Yosemite at its absolute best, I wish you could have been with us.

See more reflections at Weekedend Reflections, hosted for us by James at Newtown Area Photo.

Shadows on the Dunes

Sand dunes make a great pallet for shadows.

The dune plants cast a shadow if the sun is out.

Tracks in the sand are defined by their shadow.  People passed by here.

But who came by here?  A snake, perhaps, in pursuit of a rabbit?

Here we can see who is making a track, crossing the shadow of ripples in the sand as well as those of other creatures living in this hostel environment.

You can see more shadows at Shadow Shot Sunday, hosted for us by Tracy in Brisbane.