Monday, June 11, 2007

Yellowstone (part 2)

Just past Madison, I made a quick stop at Gibbon Falls.
About two miles past the falls, I saw a male Elk in a clearing.

I found a safe place to park and walked back to take a picture.


It was already noon when I reached the junction to take the upper loop. I decided that I was enjoying my slow pace, and to just see the lower loop during this trip. I made the turn to the lower look, and almost immediately was surrounded by bison in the road. I couldn't get a good picture though.


A bit further along, I pulled off onto the Virginia Cascade Road. There was a nice picnic area, and a herd a bison were grazing right behind it.




After taking a quick picture of Virginia Cascade, I headed to Canyon Village for some lunch. After lunch, I drove to several of the overlooks for the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The lighting was really weird. This picture almost looks like a painting, rather than a photo.
From the canyon, I got this view of the falls.
and a great close-up of a big-horned sheep.
By late afternoon, I was at Fishing Bridge. There were lots of white pelicans in this area.
I drove east of Fishing Bridge, and saw a group of people clustered near Mary Bay. I got out and saw this fox.
While they were still taking pictures, I continued towards Sedge Bay. I actually pulled over to turn around, but saw this coyote only a few feet from the road.


I made a stop at Yellowstone Lake as the sun was starting to go down. I didn't want to drive in the dark, so I headed back to Grant Village. I arrived just as the last bit of light left the sky. After a quick dinner, it was back to my room for sleep.


I woke up early the next morning, and headed south out of the park back to Jackson.


On the way I spotted this deer.



I make a quick stop at Lewis Falls.

And saw this marmot (and a bunch of his quicker friends) near Moose Falls. I then left Yellowstone and headed back to the Grand Tetons.

Grand Teton National Park (June 10)

Since it was only about 8 am when I entered the northern boundary of the Tetons, I had 6 hours before I needed to be at the Jackson airport for my flight. It was a beautiful day out, and right away spotted a colony of prarie dogs.
Wild flowers

Jackson Lake
Leeks Marina near Colter Bay
By Willow Flats, I saw a bunch of cars pulled over along the road. I stopped and got out and looked. There was a big group of grizzley bears!

I watched the bears for about a half hour before they wandered out of view. After most of the cars pulled back on the road, I headed up the road a little ways. I saw a forest service road, that looked like it went the same way the bears went. I pulled onto the road and slowly followed it for about a mile.
I was rewarded with this site of mama bear and her cub.
They walked out of site again. I waited about 10 minutes then continued up the road, to find the cub playing in the wild flowers.
Once back on the main road, I decided to take the outer road through the park.

I stopped at Oxbow Bend to take pictures. I loved the way the trees reflected in this lake.

Look at all the gnats flying around these flowers.
Chipmunk
I loved the reflection of the mountain in the lake.
I found another forest service road, and got off the main road again.
I spotted a beaver's dam.

And reached the top of a hill. When I went to turn around, I saw this brown bear.


wild flowers
Antelope flats was appropriately named.



Last view of the Tetons as I headed back to Jackson.
I stopped at a park with a pond, located on the outskirts of Jackson.


After about an hour, I returned to the airport for my flight home.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Sedona Arizona








Airport Mesa
Bell Rock
Boynton Canyon


Church of the Holy Cross
Sedona - Oak Creek Bridge Oak Creek


Oak Creek Canyon