A Very Close Encounter

Normally one would not really like to be that close to a bison. Even though they look harmless, the can be quite dangerous. After all, they are still wild animals. However sometimes they seem to seek the neighborhood of people. At least it looks like that, when they travel the streets or make a break at a picnic area. From within the safety of the car – I guess also the bison fill a bit safer if people stay in the cars – one may Read More +

The Long Wait

The Long Wait … It kind of started two days ago. Still I have not seen the “Great Fountain” yet. At least not in action. This morning thought it looked like I might have a chance to see the morning show. When I arrived at around the end of the time window, it was blowing quite a bit of gas and in intervals it looked like the pool was boiling. Yet, there was no sign that the fountain really is about to erupt. So time Read More +

At the Madison River

A bit off the main road through the park, on a secluded drive, one can catch the calm atmosphere at the Madison River.

Behind the Scenes

What normally looks like an idyllic scenery in a remote and secluded location, sometimes is quite a crowded happening. Dozens of people, armed with cell phones, small digital cameras, semi professional equipment or quite impressive zoom lenses are observing the scene and hoping for their perfect picture. The subject and its observers:

At the Right Time

Today, the big animals were quite generous in posing for the camera. But I guess, it is all a question of being at the right time at the right place. Being “held” up by a herd of bison quite a bit, the delay was just right to meet a beautiful mule deer fifteen minutes later. Those bison herds, where quite impressive. Bison are approximately about the same size as a regular cow and probably also behaves quite similarly. So from that point of view seeing Read More +

A Bit of Another World

The rough landscape created by the constant flow of hot, mineral rich water creates surrealistic landscapes. Trees, which were flooded and became just a pile of dead wood. In places where, the ground is dry now, it looks like they are standing in a snow-landscape. At “Mammoth Hot Springs”, the geysers formed some large plateaus and terraces. At least now, in September, most of these terraces are dry and therefore shine in almost pure white. Where water still flows, mats of bacterias crated a colorful Read More +

Quite Crowed

Crowded, that is what the streets become, when one of the large animals, such as an elk, a bison or a pronghorn feeds along the street. It takes one or two drivers to notice one of those animals and stop along the street and looking into the wilderness. Any following car would at least slow down or pull along the side. With some people leaving their car for a closer inspection and others trying to catch a glimpse while driving by, the traffic comes to Read More +

Little Grand Canyon

A little bit outside the “Canyon Village” – well what other name could that place possibly have? – a fantastic canyon has been cut into the ground by the Yellowstone River. In a two stage waterfall, the river flows downstream. On its path, it cut a massive canyon into the volcanic underground, building step cliffs. Its one of these places, where you consider to NOT using your camera, as the resulting pictures would only be too disappointing. I tried anyway, but probably on those, who Read More +

Paralyzing Mudholes and Fairytale Forests

The “Painters Forest” is one of many exits along the “Grand Loop Drive”. But its quite a special one. After a short walk, though a pine forest, the trees open and one is in the middle of a strange landscape. Its similar to the scenery in autumn, then fog covers the grassland. But here its the steam of boiling hot water, which makes you believe you have been teleported into a fairytale. A bit further up the path, after short, but step climb uphill, the Read More +

Eruptions a la Carte

The main attraction at Yellowstone are of course the many Geysers. They are a bit easier to find them, than bears or bisons as they don’t run away. Many hot and boiling ponds provide a very nice and mostly colorfull spectacle. The water bubbles as the hot steam searches a way to the surface. Sometimes just steam evaporates accompanied by sound as if someone had opened a big valve. Each of those holes has it’s unique personality and is fascinating to watch, even though the Read More +