Day 11--First Day in Yellowstone

Swan Lake Flats, Yellowstone

Willows along Obsidian Creek, Yellowstone (photo by Smoky)

Today we drove from Bozeman to Yellowstone National Park. It has been many years since either Smoky or I have been to Yellowstone. My last trip was in August. The Yellowstone River was quite high from the snow melt and racing merrily along. The fields were just beginning to turn green, and we were eager to see the animals that live in the park.

We drove from Bozeman to Gardiner, Montana, just on the outside of the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park, to check into our motel. Our next stop was Mammoth Hot Springs campground to meet our friends and begin our first day of experiencing Yellowstone. We ate our lunch at Swan Lake Flats, a large area with a lake that looks like it would be great for migrating waterfowl. We spotted several birds in the water pretty far away. With binoculars, we could tell these had a black and white body, and the head and neck looked rust colored. Our conclusion was American avocets.

We also saw a bald eagle and a vulture, and then we heard the call of the sandhill crane. Several were flying overhead. This seemed a good start to the afternoon.

Boardwalk, Norris Geyser
Basin

Mammoth Hot Springs
thermal feature

We stopped next at a pulloff near Obsidian Creek. The lovely scene showed the willows along the banks of the river. From here we drove on to the Norris Geyser Basin and walked the trails that take you close to these thermal features. Some of these had great designs and looked other-worldly to me. Smoky got lots of great photos.

Our last stop for the afternoon was the drive to Mammoth Hot Springs, where one thermal feature was really striking. Back at Mammoth Camp Ground, we had a great dinner with our friends at their campsite. More fun awaits tomorrow.

More of Smoky's photos for the Norris Geyser Basin area:

 

Thermal detail, Norris Geyser Basin

 

Thermal detail,
Norris Geyser Basin

Lake near Norris Geyser Basin

--Shann