For the decade’s first Lens-Artists Photo Challenge we’ve been asked to share a special spot. Yellowstone has been a special place for me since I was a child. I’ve been to many places in this big world and for me Yellowstone is clearly special, made more so during a return trip in 2015.
We entered the park from the southern border and Yellowstone immediately went to work providing stunning scenes. The Lewis River was a spectacular mirror for a blue sky puffed with clouds.
Lewis River
Within Yellowstone are 2500 miles of streams and rivers and one would be hard pressed to find a single mile that isn’t, in its own way special.
Above and below 190 degree water from the Excelsior Geyser flows into the Firehole River
Gibbon Falls
Wildlife can be found anywhere in Yellowstone, from the remotest backcountry to the grounds of a park hotel.
Bull elk drinks from the shimmering waters of the Madison River
Pronghorn
Bighorn Sheep
Young elk looks tentatively at gawking tourists
Grey Wolf
There are of course Yellowstone’s great claim to fame, the geysers and hot springs.
Percolating Castle Geyser in Yellowstone’s Upper Geyser Basin
Surreal otherworldly appearance of the terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs
Late one afternoon we were driving back to our cabin through some high country when I saw clouds gathering over and around the Absaroka Range. The scene changed from moment to moment and I desperately hoped for a turnout so that I could photograph the dynamic scene playing out in front of us. We found the turnout and I used my 600 mm steadied with a beanbag on top of our car’s roof rack. 
Yellowstone is a special place because it’s the scene of childhood memories. But it’s also special because when I visited four years ago I took my wife Cora. She had never been to Yellowstone and it was a special treat to share this magnificent place with her and to watch her reaction.
Great photos! Especially the wildlife and the last one of the gathering clouds.
Thank you for visiting and commenting Audrey.
Absolutely gorgeous photos!
Thank you so much Sheree.
Pleasure
Wow! I love Yellowstone too, and your photos are amazing, especially of the wildlife!
Thank you Susanne. I think I could visit Yellowstone every year and discover something new and amazing.
Wow, Paulie. This collection is gorgeous! I especially love the gray wolf shot and the last one. Now, I really HAVE to go there!
Thank you so much. Here’s a Yellowstone travel tip for you. Allow AT LEAST one week to see the park and try to go in late spring or early fall to avoid the crush.
Magnificent scenery, Paulie. Truly a special place indeed.
I’m planning on making at least one return trip with my grandchildren. I’d also like to see it in the winter. Thank you for visiting and commenting Eliza.
I’ll never forget the time my childhood best friend invited me to go on vacation with her family to Yellowstone and my mom wouldn’t let me go. And I still have never been. I think I need to change that!
You absolutely should change that. I’m pushing my kids to take their own children before I get too old to go. I guess I’m selfish in that I want to see their reaction.
Not selfish at all.
Cool shots of this special place, Paulie! I must go there. The photo of 90 degree water from the Excelsior Geyser flows into the Firehole River is spectacular.
The color in some of those shots were spectacular. Thanks for sharing them.
Thank you so much Geri and thank you for visiting.
I look forward to enjoying more in the future.