In May Grand Teton National Park springs to life - wildlife emerges and there is a softening in the weather, that brings new colors to the skies and emerging green shoots to the fauna, even as the mountains often hold onto their white winter coats. Here are a few landscape photos from this spring ritual.
The fading vapors of last night's showers glow pink and orange in the morning light above the beaver ponds of Schwabacher Landing.
Spring has thawed the slow-moving waters at Oxbow Bend but the willows and shrubs along the shore need a few more weeks before they turn green.
One of the great vistas in any of our National Parks, Oxbow Bend is as stunning in black and white as it is in color.
As the winds have calmed, the waters of Oxbow Bend become a perfect mirror of Mount Moran and the high clouds above.
Passing clouds hang around the Teton peaks above Schwabacher Landing.
Home to countless fish, fowl and wildlife, Oxbow Bend is a retreat that offers balm to all who can experiences its beauty and perfection.
The cottonwoods and grasses around Moulton Barn need a few more weeks before they will turn green.
The Moulton barn and corrals epitomize the western setting.
Spring's flush is as colorful - and brief - as the mosaic of colors that emerges in late September.
Lifting clouds soften the edges of sunrise above the original beaver pond at Schwabacher's Landing.
Even in late May, heavy snow continues to cloak the high peaks of the Teton range but the golden glow of this sunrise hints at warmer days ahead.
Mount Moran, still cloaked in winter's snow, looms high above the landscape.