Monday, July 28, 2014

Yellowstone National Park 2014

This was our third trip to the park.  We spent 2 weeks in West Yellowstone touring the lower part of the park and then 7 days at Mammoth campgrounds touring the upper part of the park.  We were able to spend lots of time watching animals this year.  We really enjoyed the Grizzly and Wolf discovery center in West Yellowstone, a place I believe that everyone should go to when in the area.  Took lots of photos so be sure to click on the blue links.  Enjoy the tour.

Beartooth Scenic Drive

We went out of the northeast entrance to drive the Beartooth Scenic Drive.  We drove all the way to Red Lodge where we had lunch and then took the drive back to Mammoth Hot springs.  Sure was a beautiful drive.  Lots of snow and small lakes.

IMG_5161

IMG_5175

IMG_5184

Wildlife Encounters, Yellowstone National Park 2014

While we were in Californa last year, we purchased new spotting scopes so we could spend a lot of time watching wildlife in Yellowstone this year.  We were not disappointed.  We were able to spot wolves and grizzly with our new scopes.  I was even able to hook my camera onto my spotting scope to take pictures.  My hubby also let me invest in a 100 to 400 lenses for my camera I bought last year.  What a great time taking photos.

IMG_3718

IMG_3744

digiscoping

IMG_4835

new lenses osprey with chick

IMG_4876

IMG_4972

camera  wolves

IMG_5047

just outside our camping spot

IMG_5055

IMG_5133

IMG_5312

IMG_5515

IMG_5562

for more photos click here

Tower Falls and Artist Paint

The road to Tower Falls is beautiful when the wild flowers are in bloom.  Artist Paint is part of the canyons of Yellowstone National Park.  From Artist point you will be able to see the upper and lower falls.

tower falls

Tower falls

IMG_5358

artist paint

IMG_5394

IMG_5397

IMG_5398

for more photos click here

Mid Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park

The mid geyser basin is a walk that you cannot miss.  The colors are just gorgeous.  This is the location of the Grand Prismatic spring.  Make sure to go later in the afternoon because the coolness of the morning makes the steam hang over the spring making it harder to see.

IMG_4671

IMG_4679

IMG_4700

IMG_4704

IMG_4708

IMG_4709

IMG_4713

for more photos click here

Firehole Lake drive, Yellowstone National Park

Firehole Lake drive is a short drive but well worth doing.

IMG_4746

firehole springs

IMG_4772

great fountain geyser

IMG_4797

click here for more photos

Biscuit Basin, Yellowstone National Park 2014

Biscuit Basin became one of my favorite spots.  A short walk but lots to see.  Really enjoyed watching one of the geysers go off, then the water would go down about 2 feet, slowly rise to the top, and then go off  again.

IMG_4471

IMG_4488

IMG_4494

IMG_4500

sapphire pool

IMG_4555

IMG_4580

water is going down

IMG_4598

when water comes back to top, geyser goes off

IMG_4600

Black Sand Basin, Yellowstone National Park

This was our first year to stop at the Black Sand Basin.  Must say that I would stop here again.  Enjoyed it very much.  Short walk.

cliff geyser

IMG_4370

IMG_4382

emerald pool

IMG_4433

opalescent pool

Old Faithful Loop Walk

Before or after watching Old Faithful geyser go off, be sure to take the loop walk to the right.  There are more geysers to see.

blue star spring

 

IMG_3473

infant geyser

pump geyser

sponge geyser

click here for more photos