Fascination Yellowstone NP

We left yesterday morning Jacksonhole and the Grand Tetons NP to see the famous Yellowstone NP. This photo is the last view back to those magnificent mountain chain of the Grand Tetons, captured by the Jackson Lake Dam.

After hours of driving, finally we entered Yellowstone National Park - it was still deepest winter and very COLD - winter wonderland in May?

Yellowstone NP
Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park is America's first national park. Located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, it is home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Preserved within Yellowstone National Park are Old Faithful and a collection of the world's most extraordinary geysers and hot springs, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

After a long drive over steep hills up and down - finally we arrived here, where people from all over the world are heading to: to see the "Old Faithful" Geyser in Yellowstone. Unfortunately, the Geyser was just finished spitting up the hot steam in the air. The next "show" will happen in 80 or 90 minutes, told us a Ranger. But we were late in time and didn't wanted wait that long. I took some photos around that place - and then we left towards the East Entrance of the park, another 4 hours drive in front of us.

Old Faithful, how he looks in real action
(it's NOT my photo!)
is a cone geyser located in Wyoming, in Yellowstone National Park in the United States. Old Faithful was named in 1870 during the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition and was the first geyser in the park to receive a name. The geyser, as well as the nearby Old Faithful Inn, is part of the Old Faithful Historic District.
Photo source

Beside the Old Faithful were also some other smaller Geysers steaming, it was a very impressive sight!

It looks like a big open outdoor kitchen :)

Another steaming geyser

We left the Geyser spot and were driving by on many fantastic landscapes like this here: the still frozen and covered with ice Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone Lake

is the largest body of water in Yellowstone National Park, The lake is 7,732 feet (2,376 m) above sea level and covers 136 square miles (352 km²) with 110 miles (177 km) of shoreline. While the average depth of the lake is 139 feet (42 m) its deepest spot is at least 390 feet (118 m). Yellowstone Lake is the largest freshwater lake above 7,000 feet (2,133 m) in North America.

In winter, ice nearly 3 feet (1 m) thick covers much of the lake, except where shallow water covers hot springs. The lake freezes over by early December and can remain frozen until late May or early June.

Pretty scenes at the Lake

Cold looking landscape

There were many of these steam holes all around the Lake, very spooky looking and as a result of a swarm of recent earthquakes, do they are bringing up the idea of an outbreak of the Super-Volcano again?

Another steam hole - and a majestic view on the horizon

Steam holes and icy water - a spectacular view!

In one of my last posts I've wrote that I have seen a Bison - in Yellowstone Park suddenly came a herd of ten to cross the road. For a second I thought, they come towards me, because look at the first one: the leader, he saw ME and I felt like I had to run back to the RV...LOL... but this time, I've clicked my camera and then: I started to run :)

Later, we saw a group standing in the forest beside the road

After leaving the East entrance, there were a group sitting peaceful in the grass and enjoying the warm sunshine of the valley

And this was a special one! He was walking alone by himself on the side of the road. As he heard my camera clicking several times, he stopped, turned his head and looked back. I'm not sure if that was a friendly look...LOL.... :)

Bison
Yellowstone National Park is the only place in the lower 48 states to have a continuously free-ranging bison population since prehistoric times. Because of their sheer physical size, their numbes increase each year in Yellowstone Park. There are over 4,000 bison residing in Yellowstone and are the #1 cause of summer jams in the park. Traffic can be at a standstill for hours but still we love them. Bison mate in July and August and the mature bulls begin their head butting during this mating period. Bison can exceed over 2,000 lbs and cause more human injuries than any other wildlife combined in Yellowstone Park. Given their docile nature (except when in rut) visitors loose precaution when approaching bison and that's when they become gore victims. Bison can exceed speeds of 30 mph - how fast can the average Yellowstone tourist run. The smart money would be on the Bison. Bison calves are born in late April and May and again, due to the sheer size of their parents. rarely do the calves become victims of predation. Like elk, bison are everywhere throughout Yellowstone so there is no need to stop your vehicle in the middle of the road the take a quick digital snapshot unless the bison are in the road then please slowly give them the right of way.

Hi my friends,

Yellowstone is pretty and very fascinating - and scary too! I'm scared about those proved messages from scientists who say, that the earthquakes are rising (in swarms!) recently and the possibility of an eruption of the Super-Volcano becomes more and more reality for the near future. Read please the link in my post 6 photos above.

Today we have visited The "Buffalo Bill" Museum in Cody, it was very interesting! I'll show you some photos about that maybe tomorrow - so stay tuned. We will be heading toward South Dakota to see the presidents heads carved in stone. Do you know where that place is...? :)

Thanks for all your wonderful comments, my loyal friends :)
Susanne and David