Yellowstone Pics

Gardiner is the only year round entrance to Yellowstone National Park. I love living at the entrance where we can drive into Yellowstone year round - I certainly take advantage of that privilege!

All other roadways into the Park (except Gardiner to Mammoth to Cooke City which stays opened year round) have recently closed for the season, as usual.

It's always a treat to take one last 'pass through' to the areas that will be closed - the wildlife are out and the roads are quiet. So we did that the other day - and I took along my camera....Enjoy...

Coyotes were the wildlife sightings of the day... We saw 5 total - in their gorgeous 'new winter coats'.

 

Mammoth Terraces - amazing how quickly they change. (opened year round)

 

Mammoth Terraces - I hadn't walked by this area all summer, and what a change I saw! Really interesting colors and formations right now.

 

Elk lounging on the Terraces. (And there were A LOT more elk roaming through the town of Mammoth.)

 

Blue Grouse out walking along the road.

 

View of the Falls from Artist's Point

 

We had the view of the Falls all to ourselves.

 

Except for this badger I spotted tucked behind the trees at the Falls.

 

Always fun to watch coyotes hunting in the snow.... Got 'em in 'mid-leap'!

 

Swan Lake under Electric Peak.
We're 'just over the hill'. Our property has a great view of Electric Peak from the 'other side'.

 

The moon over Swan Lake Flats at sunset.

 

And of course, another coyote!

The roads to these destinations are now officially closed for the season (except for the Mammoth Terraces). BUT, you could always take the snow coach or a guided snowmobile trip once the snow flies. We'll leave that great adventure for another blog....