Springtime in Yellowstone is a stunning experience, as the valleys come alive and new families of wildlife take their fist steps. As much as anything, this trip was an opportunity to experience again the great sweep and movement of the Hayden and Lamar Valleys that inspired the creation of America's first national park, and launched the beginning of what Ken Burns called America's greatest idea.
Evening lights brings added warmth to the limestone and shale rock of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, with Lower Falls in the distance. The canyon’s colors were created by hot water acting on volcanic rock. It was not these colors, but the river’s yellow banks at its distant confluence with the Missouri River, that occasioned the Minnetaree Indian name which French trappers translated as roche jaune, yellow stone.
A baby bison hides behind mom's massive head.
A small grove of cottonwoods that graces the Lamar Valley seems almost translucent with its spring green.
A great blue heron stands motionless in the lifting fog at the shore's edge in Hayden Valley.
A male Harlequin which prefers to feed in fast moving waters paddles toward the rapids just ahead.
A beautiful sunset falls across Yellowstone Lake.
The Hayden Valley, a stunning sub-alpine valley that straddles the Yellowstone River, is home to wolves, bears, bison, elk and and countless waterfall, among other animals.
Snow continues it hold atop Mount Washburn in early June, as its rich and lush slopes provide a home to countless wildlife.
The Lamar Valley has justifiably been called America's Serengeti, and no animal perhaps best epitomizes that than the massive herds of bison that move through this valley in late spring.
Considered one of the world's best places to view wildlife, the Lamar Valley teems with wildlife from bears, wolves, foxes, to antelope, bison and elk, and so much more.
The Lamar River Trail is a great trail through and across this magnificent valley that leads to the even more amazing Specimen Ridge Trail.
As stunning as the wildlife spectacles, the sweeping landscape and undulating terrain that define this massive valley make a stealthy mark on your soul that can be hard to leave behind.
I first photographed this small grove of aspen some 25 years ago. It is oddly comforting to see them largely intact, still standing, strong, resolute and unbending.
Calcite Springs Overlook provides a moving view of the downstream end of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. On this early morning, fog hangs low over the river, as the sun stuggles to warm the still cool air.
A bison approaches slowly through a gentle spring shower. The winter has been long and many bison did not survive; often 10% of the herds may perish. But he has survived, and his winter coat will soon be shed. It is time to feast and grow strong again. Spring is brief and summer is short.