No Photograph Is Worth This Loss

Gros Ventre Campground, Moose, WY (62 degrees, raning)

Mama Moose and her baby in the early spring

We have watched with fascination all season in our campground a mama moose and her baby interacting in the field across from our site.  I think they felt safe here far away from the crowds of the campground and often slept in the tall grass at night.  This week a tragic event occurred when a rutting male moose in pursuit of the mother led to her tragic death.  A horde of photographers and spectators heightened the excitement of the male moose and crowded around the pair.  The mama moose started to run and  stumbled over a picnic table landing on top of a fire grate severing her hip and shattered her leg.  The park service had to euthanize her. The baby moose was beating at her side and had to be moved away. 

Male Moose

The concentration of moose now in our campground has lured an increasing number of safari and tour companies into our area attempting to show their paying customers wildlife.  However, they are not totally at fault.  Campers and tourists have also been flocking in as well in  huge groups trailing after the moose.  Fall is a very dangerous time to be near a moose and this tragic event proves how important it is to give these majestic animals their space. The Grand Teton National Park has now implemented some steps to close off more of the campground but we have noticed that many folks don't think these rules apply to them. The Park Service has had a difficult time enforcing the rules because some people  say "this is public land and I have a right to be here".   Really...how can someone possibly feel this is their right. Click here for recent article in local paper.

As a blogger and nature lover I love to photograph animals, birds, and scenery to help capture some of the delightful moments we have witnessed.  However, I don't think every moment needs a photograph and it's important to always remember if you are affecting an animal or birds behavior in any way you are too close.  During rut season for moose a 100 yard distance should be respected at a minimum  Our cameras have tremendous zooms and we certainly don't need to approach too closely to get a good shot.  Please give all animals and birds their space and rein in your pursuit of the perfect photograph.  It's just not worth it.

Orphan baby moose photographed this spring

Steamy, Smelly, and Spectacular (Prismatic and Norris Geyser Basin)

Yellowstone National Park (68 degrees, beautiful blue skies)

The weather continued to be beautiful and our friends Bob and Patsy wanted to go to Yellowstone and offered to drive. Sold!  It’s an all day journey to Yellowstone from Moose and additional time now is needed due to a bridge being replaced near Old Faithful (road between West Thumb and Old Faithful is closed until July 2015).  It’s such a fascinating place and being able to spend time with our friends made the time go by quickly.  

We tried to stop at Norris Geyser; however, the parking lot was full.  So, we traveled further to Grand Prismatic Spring.  This is the largest hot spring in the U.S. and measures 250 feet by 300 feet with a depth of 160 feet.  It’s a kaleidoscope of color; however, you cannot really see its beauty from the boardwalk.   So your best opportunity to view it is to either fly over it or climb up a hill and view from an elevated height.  Climbing was our option.  Be sure to park at the Fairy Falls parking lot and visit on a clear warm day. If to much steam is developing from low temperatures the spring will not be very visible

We saw some pretty smaller hot springs at the beginning of the trail.  Runoff from the Prismatic could also be seen draining down the stream.   

John, Patsy, and Bob heading down the tail (Prismatic in the distance)

In the distance there was no mistaking where the Prismatic Spring was located due to a blue cloud hovering above it.  The hot spring was much larger than I expected.  Patsy remembered a good place to climb up the hill  There is not a trail of any sort and it is a very steep climb.  A photography guide I have suggested not looking back until reached the vantage point.  It wasn't a very easy climb for me but I was determined.  It was worth all the effort.  Such a rainbow of colors can be seen from this vantage point. 

Over 560 gallons of water is discharged every minute and the run off could be seen which looked like rays of sunshine.  It is a spectacular sight.  The wide variety of colors is due to the algae which grow at different temperatures (called bacteria mats).OK, get ready to a feast your eyes on this beauty.

John and Bob

Going back down the hill was even more difficult but I managed not to fall or slide or do anything embarrassing at a high rate of speed.  Whew!

We then drove by an area called Fire Canyon Drive.  It is a very scenic drive with areas where you can swim.  The water is warmer due to some thermal springs. When our nephew Ben visited us this summer it was his favorite place in the park.  Part of the road was closed early in the spring due to melting.  Yellowstone is an ever shifting landscape.  Did I mention you are traveling in a supervolcano

Our next stop was Firehole Lake Drive. There were some bubbling and boiling rivers here which were amazing. I love the name of this little one - Young Hopeful Geyser

Young Hopeful Geyser

HOT Cascade

This is the first time I've ever seen a boiling river.  

We then headed to Old Faithful Hotel to have lunch on the second floor porch.  It was a great place to eat and it’s ok to bring a packed lunch.  You can see Old Faithful erupt while you are eating if the timing is right. 

We saw a few fashion statements while visiting today.  People watching can be fun with Patsy. Mustard green seems to be the new " in color" . Well at least for some.

We went back this time and luckily found a shady parking spot at Norris Basin   It is the hottest (459 degrees) and most changeable landscape in the park. There are two main trails.  The first one overlooks the Porcelain Basin.  It’s easy to see how it go this name.  The overlook spans an immense space of steaming and bubbling geysers.  There are no trees in this area, only burnt up remnants.  It is such a stark landscape. 

Massive Steam Vent

Algae mats

Back Basin is a complete contrast from the first trail. There are beautiful pines lining the boardwalk offering a lusher landscape. The Steamboat Geyser (worlds tallest- over 300 feet) recently erupted for the first time in many years on September 3^rd.   We were hoping it would go again, but no such luck.  

Steamboat Geyser

This bubbling green go is called the Cistern Spring and was it ever smelly.  This picture does not quite capture its weirdness.

The hot spring below reminded Patsy of a manatee.She must be missing Ding Darling and Sanibel.

Even our dog Jimmy got to go along today. He loved all the special attention. He wasn't able to go on the trails but took naps while we explored for short periods of time.

John, Jimmy, & Bob

As we were leaving the park we saw a huge bull elk right strutting his stuff along the side of the road. There was a female nearby and suddenly he bugled right beside Bob's truck. Wow!  She wasn't interested but we sure were amazed.  What a great ending to our day. Thanks Bob and Patsy for driving. It's always fun to go on road trips with you.

THE END OF ANOTHER GREAT DAY!