Surrounded by the imposing Rocky Mountains, covered in thick forests, lies America’s own Serengeti. Here, winter can be brutal and most animals will try and migrate towards the lower prairies in hope of some green pastures. The trees will shed their leaves and stand naked, braving the snow and storm.
As the first light of the sun returns to Yellowstone, animals and plants spring to life, rivers swell with water and deep blue lakes peep out through the cracks in the ice. In this land of unparalleled beauty animals and nature fight for survival – and we watched this drama unfold in spring 2011.
In the forest, every day is a struggle for life – Darwin's survival of the fittest. As the early morning sun rays glisten on the snow covered valleys, animals begin their search for food. Only one instinct keeps them moving – hunger. After a harsh winter these beasts are starving, with new babies to feed they must have what it takes to make it through this season. In the hills, a black bear and her cubs are out hunting – they spot our car and scurry back into the forest. Although it weighs over 500 pounds, this animal can run as fast as 45m/h. It's cubs are a rare feast for the on looking wolf. The king of the jungle in winter, as the bears descend the hill, the wolf’s keen eyes follow. One false move and the little cubs will be his.
Herds of American Bison live in the valleys of Yellowstone. Almost on the verge of extinction at one time, this 900 pound giant finds a safe haven in this winter wonderland – here it does not have to fight its biggest and strongest foe – urbanization. Covered with hide as thick as thermal blankets, and hair that provide it additional warmth, it can withstand the severest of winters. It will use its strong head like a shovel to find the grass beneath the snow. Usually a slowly lumbering animal, it can be as fierce as a lion in spring. No animal wants to face a bison’s wrath when its offspring is in danger. We got stuck in what can only be termed a ‘bison-jam’. When a creature this size wants to walk on the road – you let it!!!!! A ranger tried to 'shoo' the 900 pound bison-cows off the road. But the mighty cows were offended and surrounded the poor ranger's car in protest. One flick of her head and his car would have been a tiny spot in the deep gorges of Yellowstone! The circus continued for a while till the bison having displayed their dominance, to our amusement and the ranger's relief, lost interest in mere humans and sauntered into the nearby fields. Probably the most docile animals of Yellowstone are elks. Every year thousands of them migrate within the park in search of grass.
Spring is filled with mating and births - and we were privy to see a couple dating :). Unlike other wild animals, elks are not shy of humans. With no size, speed and might on their side, these big deer perhaps feel safer close to man. In fact they seek human presence - while hiking on beaver pond trail we had a couple follow us back to our cabin (at a safe distance of course - even elks know that much!!!). We did not know whether to be flattered or scared by this duo :).
While animals throng Yellowstone's valleys, beautiful birds conquer it's skies. Ospreys, golden bald eagles, swans, egrets, herons, pelicans et all. They are the only ones that can reach the insurmountable heights of Yellowstone's peaks or the depths of its canyons. We spotted an osprey nest on one of the narrowest and tallest ledges of the canyon - safe from all its predators.
Yellowstone's mountains are untamed and untouched – just like its wildlife. Looming in the distance, these white peaks humble you. Their chiseled edges give this landscape an almost savage beauty. Lake Yellowstone, lies surrounded by these peaks at 8000ft. Deep blue in summer, the ice is still precariously holding on to its surface in spring. While the valleys are bursting with activity, so is the magma under the earth's surface. Situated on a huge volcano (not more than 1000 meters under its surface), Yellowstone’s mountains are filled with geothermal activity.
Hot springs are erupting through winter storms, its fumaroles hissing through the foggy days of spring and its boiling rivers are bubbling though out the year. We watch the Mammoth Hot Spring erupt..
Steaming water bursts out of the ground like a tall fountain every couple of hours reaching sky high – this gushing water is a only a tiny indication of the huge fire’s burning in the earth's belly. These geothermal features bring unique colors to the earth’s surface. In the grand prismatic springs, we saw every color of the rainbow at the surface of the pools.
Only certain bacteria can survive these extreme temperatures. These organisms give the earth her beautiful hues. Coral like formation can be found in the opal pool. At artist’s paint pot, you see several tiny pools of bubbling water (opal, turquoise, and aquamarine) – as though it truly was an artist’s palette. And this artist has indeed painted his greatest masterpieces in Yellowstone.
In the shadows of dusk, hues of yellow brighten Yellowstone's rugged peaks. The stone that gives this park its name comes alive! As the sun descends behind Yellowstone's towering mountains, we say good bye to this paradise on earth. After all, this land belongs to them – the mountains and beasts that occupy it. We are mere intruders – and can only hope to return another day.
As the first light of the sun returns to Yellowstone, animals and plants spring to life, rivers swell with water and deep blue lakes peep out through the cracks in the ice. In this land of unparalleled beauty animals and nature fight for survival – and we watched this drama unfold in spring 2011.
In the forest, every day is a struggle for life – Darwin's survival of the fittest. As the early morning sun rays glisten on the snow covered valleys, animals begin their search for food. Only one instinct keeps them moving – hunger. After a harsh winter these beasts are starving, with new babies to feed they must have what it takes to make it through this season. In the hills, a black bear and her cubs are out hunting – they spot our car and scurry back into the forest. Although it weighs over 500 pounds, this animal can run as fast as 45m/h. It's cubs are a rare feast for the on looking wolf. The king of the jungle in winter, as the bears descend the hill, the wolf’s keen eyes follow. One false move and the little cubs will be his.
Herds of American Bison live in the valleys of Yellowstone. Almost on the verge of extinction at one time, this 900 pound giant finds a safe haven in this winter wonderland – here it does not have to fight its biggest and strongest foe – urbanization. Covered with hide as thick as thermal blankets, and hair that provide it additional warmth, it can withstand the severest of winters. It will use its strong head like a shovel to find the grass beneath the snow. Usually a slowly lumbering animal, it can be as fierce as a lion in spring. No animal wants to face a bison’s wrath when its offspring is in danger. We got stuck in what can only be termed a ‘bison-jam’. When a creature this size wants to walk on the road – you let it!!!!! A ranger tried to 'shoo' the 900 pound bison-cows off the road. But the mighty cows were offended and surrounded the poor ranger's car in protest. One flick of her head and his car would have been a tiny spot in the deep gorges of Yellowstone! The circus continued for a while till the bison having displayed their dominance, to our amusement and the ranger's relief, lost interest in mere humans and sauntered into the nearby fields. Probably the most docile animals of Yellowstone are elks. Every year thousands of them migrate within the park in search of grass.
Spring is filled with mating and births - and we were privy to see a couple dating :). Unlike other wild animals, elks are not shy of humans. With no size, speed and might on their side, these big deer perhaps feel safer close to man. In fact they seek human presence - while hiking on beaver pond trail we had a couple follow us back to our cabin (at a safe distance of course - even elks know that much!!!). We did not know whether to be flattered or scared by this duo :).
While animals throng Yellowstone's valleys, beautiful birds conquer it's skies. Ospreys, golden bald eagles, swans, egrets, herons, pelicans et all. They are the only ones that can reach the insurmountable heights of Yellowstone's peaks or the depths of its canyons. We spotted an osprey nest on one of the narrowest and tallest ledges of the canyon - safe from all its predators.
Yellowstone's mountains are untamed and untouched – just like its wildlife. Looming in the distance, these white peaks humble you. Their chiseled edges give this landscape an almost savage beauty. Lake Yellowstone, lies surrounded by these peaks at 8000ft. Deep blue in summer, the ice is still precariously holding on to its surface in spring. While the valleys are bursting with activity, so is the magma under the earth's surface. Situated on a huge volcano (not more than 1000 meters under its surface), Yellowstone’s mountains are filled with geothermal activity.Hot springs are erupting through winter storms, its fumaroles hissing through the foggy days of spring and its boiling rivers are bubbling though out the year. We watch the Mammoth Hot Spring erupt..
Steaming water bursts out of the ground like a tall fountain every couple of hours reaching sky high – this gushing water is a only a tiny indication of the huge fire’s burning in the earth's belly. These geothermal features bring unique colors to the earth’s surface. In the grand prismatic springs, we saw every color of the rainbow at the surface of the pools.Only certain bacteria can survive these extreme temperatures. These organisms give the earth her beautiful hues. Coral like formation can be found in the opal pool. At artist’s paint pot, you see several tiny pools of bubbling water (opal, turquoise, and aquamarine) – as though it truly was an artist’s palette. And this artist has indeed painted his greatest masterpieces in Yellowstone.
In the shadows of dusk, hues of yellow brighten Yellowstone's rugged peaks. The stone that gives this park its name comes alive! As the sun descends behind Yellowstone's towering mountains, we say good bye to this paradise on earth. After all, this land belongs to them – the mountains and beasts that occupy it. We are mere intruders – and can only hope to return another day.
