As part of my new job training in Yellowstone, I have taken a few trips into the park now during this Winter season. Here are a few pictures of Yellowstone buried under a thick blanket of snow.
The bison don’t seem phased so far by the snow and cold. In fact, I’ve learned that it takes the temps reaching -32 *F before a bison might wish it had a thicker sweater.
This is a view of the Upper Falls of the Yellowstone. It measures 109 feet tall, much shorter than the Lower Falls, but amazing just the same.
Here’s another look.
Here is part of the group that I was helping with.
Here’s a look at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This viewpoint is called Artist Point.
Here is another view of the Lower Falls. While we visited these places many times during the summer, it really is incredible seeing it this time of year.
This shot is looking out over Porcelain Basin which is in the Norris Geyser Basin. When walking around these geyser basins this time of year, it really gives you a new perspective on how close the Earth’s magma is to the surface in this place, sometimes measuring as close as a few miles beneath the surface. Huge expanses of this geyser basin are hardly dusted with snow while other areas are covered with feet, the surface of the earth being so warm in places that the snow can hardly stick.
The steam and blowing winds throughout the basin coat the trees with thick crusty layers of snow, pretty surreal looking.
This is a spring, abundant with thermophiles, or heat loving bacteria, creating the brilliant colors you see here.
Just another look over Norris.
As always, you can view larger versions of these photos on our flickr account.
