A herd of Bison seen in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley.
Just never know what animal you might see next in this special haven for them.
Hope your week is off to a great start!
Tags: Wyoming Yellowstone Yellowstone Park Explore
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A view of the colorful geology near Tower Falls. The Yellowstone river flows alongside this butte as Tower Creek joins it.
Another nearby landmark, Bumpus Butte, in comments. Impressive area.
Had a wonderful time with my cousins. Thanks for all the good wishes.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Tags: Yellowstone National Park Tower Junction Wyoming Devils Den
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Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. Her song is strong and sweet.
The canyon is roughly 20 miles long, measured from the Upper Falls to the Tower Fall area. Depth is 800 to 1,200 ft.; width is 1,500 to 4,000 ft.
A view from the falls perspective in comments.
"The colors in the canyon are a result of hydrothermal alteration. The rhyolite in the canyon contains a variety of different iron compounds. When the old geyser basin was active, the "cooking" of the rock caused chemical alterations in these iron compounds. Exposure to the elements caused the rocks to change colors. The rocks are oxidizing; in effect, the canyon is "rusting." The colors indicate the presence or absence of water in the individual iron compounds. Most of the yellows in the canyon are the result of iron present in the rock rather than, as many people think, sulfur."
As always, thanks for your visits, comments and suggestions!
Tags: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Lower Falls of the Yellowstone Yellowstone River canyon gorge Yellowstone National Park Wyoming
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Caught this bull in mid-chew. He was chowing down on the lush spring growth.
Their velvet antlers always impress me. Quite the story behind their annual growth:
"Only the males have antlers, which start growing in the spring and are shed each winter. Antlers are made of bone which can grow at a rate of 2.5 centimetres (0.98 in) per day. While actively growing, the antlers are covered with and protected by a soft layer of highly vascularised skin known as velvet. The velvet is shed in the summer when the antlers have fully developed. The formation and retention of antlers is testosterone-driven. After the breeding season in late fall, the level of pheromones released during estrus declines in the environment and the testosterone levels of males drop as a consequence. This drop in testosterone leads to the shedding of antlers, usually in the early winter."
Wikipedia
Enjoy a terrific Tuesday!
Tags: Elk Wapiti antlers velvet antlers
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Just another beautiful day in the Lamar Valley.
"The Lamar Buffalo Ranch was created to preserve one of the last free-roaming bison herds in the United States. The ranch was established in 1907 when 28 bison were moved from Fort Yellowstone to the Lamar Valley in the northeast portion of the park. The ranch supported bison ranching into the 1950s. As the ranched herd increased in size, it was released to the open range and it interbred with the wild herd. The ranch continued to be used to produce hay to feed the bison in the winter until the 1950s.
The historic district comprises five buildings built between 1915 and the 1930s. The historic district includes the ranger station, built in 1915, the bunkhouse, built in 1929, a residence which was moved from Soda Butte in 1938, a 1927 barn and a corral The bunkhouse, its interior remodeled, is used by the Yellowstone Association, which conducts classes and seminars there."
The weekend is here. May yours be special!
Tags: Wyoming Yellowstone Yellowstone Park Lamar Buffalo Ranch Lamar Valley Buffalo Bison
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