The Life in My Years

An anthology of life

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 5x7

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.

Excelsior Geyser -2 5x7

Above and below 190 degree water from the Excelsior Geyser flows into the Firehole River

Excelsior Geyser

Gibbon Falls

Gibbon Falls

Wildlife can be found anywhere in Yellowstone, from the remotest backcountry to the grounds of a park hotel.

Bull Elk Water

Bull elk drinks from the shimmering waters of the Madison River

Pronghorn 5x7

Pronghorn

Bighorn 5x7

Bighorn Sheep

Baby elk madison river

Young elk looks tentatively at gawking tourists

Wolf 5x7

Grey Wolf

There are of course Yellowstone’s great claim to fame, the geysers and hot springs.

Castle Geyser Upper Geyser Basin

Percolating Castle Geyser in Yellowstone’s Upper Geyser Basin

 

Mammoth 2

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 Mtn storm

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.

 

 

 

18 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Photo Challenge : Special Spot Shots #78

  1. Great photos! Especially the wildlife and the last one of the gathering clouds.

    1. Paulie says:

      Thank you for visiting and commenting Audrey.

  2. Sheree says:

    Absolutely gorgeous photos!

    1. Paulie says:

      Thank you so much Sheree.

      1. Sheree says:

        Pleasure

  3. Wow! I love Yellowstone too, and your photos are amazing, especially of the wildlife!

    1. Paulie says:

      Thank you Susanne. I think I could visit Yellowstone every year and discover something new and amazing.

  4. pattimoed says:

    Wow, Paulie. This collection is gorgeous! I especially love the gray wolf shot and the last one. Now, I really HAVE to go there!

    1. Paulie says:

      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.

  5. Eliza Waters says:

    Magnificent scenery, Paulie. Truly a special place indeed.

    1. Paulie says:

      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.

  6. myplaidheart says:

    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!

    1. Paulie says:

      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.

      1. myplaidheart says:

        Not selfish at all.

  7. Amy says:

    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.

  8. Geri Lawhon says:

    The color in some of those shots were spectacular. Thanks for sharing them.

    1. Paulie says:

      Thank you so much Geri and thank you for visiting.

      1. Geri Lawhon says:

        I look forward to enjoying more in the future.

Would love to hear from you

%d