Monday, June 15, 2009

Our great North America trip: Grand Teton and Yellowstone Nat. Parks, Wyoming; June 10 –13

 

Below some photos with commentary from our visits to two National Parks in Wyoming, the west of the US.   Both Grand Teton and Yellowstone are among the top parks as far as visitors is concerned.  Yellowstone gets 3 million of them each year, including Betsie and me….

 

 

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Having left Colorado, we are driving into Wyoming; the Rockies in the distance

 

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In the snow, crossing a pass at about 3,000m,

 

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Grand Teton Nat. Park: Jackson Lake with the cloud-covered Tetons in the background.  

 

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White pelicans spotted during our hike along the lake shore

 

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The Tetons with an intrepid hiker in front

 

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Western Tanager, a pretty bird about the size of a starling

 

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Good bye Tetons…..

 

 

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The main attraction in Yellowstone Nat. Park:  Old Faithful, the geyser that, for as long as we know, erupts every 90 minutes and spouts water and steam some 50m into the air.  See photos below; the Park Service built a large viewing stand for the crowds Old Faithful attracts every time

 

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The obligatory picture: Old Faithful in the background

 

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A herd of bisons crossing the road in Yellowstone NP

 

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The explanation of what you will see below: hot volcanic water, over many centuries, leaves white silicates behind on the rocks.   Certain micro-organisms can live in this environment and give it these brown colors

 

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The Yellow Stone river carved a canyon through yellow rock, hence the name Yellowstone; there are several spectacular waterfalls.  Below some pictures of the Lower Falls, which drops nearly 100m.

 

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Ospreys (fish hawks) built their nest on this rock pilar

 

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The Yellow River canyon

 

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Crossing a pass at 2,600m on our way out of Yellowstone

 

Below some shots of the rodeo in Cody, Wyoming.  During the summer, they have a rodeo every night

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Roping a calf

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Throwing the calf down while the horse keeps the line tight

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Tying its legs

 

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It often goes wrong

 

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It’s just another way to make a living……

 

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Bull riding

 

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Helpers come to the rescue

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