Fantastic Beasts
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
September 8th, 2020
Surprise! Today we’re in Wyoming, as you might have guessed from yesterday’s photo of the Teton Range. Panning right, we find an old moose enjoying a long drink of water in the marshland around the Snake River. This region of Wyoming, near Jackson Hole, is such beautiful country — still wild and mostly undisturbed. We drove through in April of 2018 on our route between Vancouver, Canada and Denver, Colorado.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
North of the Teton Range, Yellowstone National Park encompasses more than 3,500 square miles (8,900 kms). Wildlife roams free, including fantastic bison across the countryside and along the road.
American Bison, Yellowstone National Park
American Bison are one of only two surviving species of bison. They can weigh more than 2,500 pounds (1,130 kilos) and are only hunted by other large predators including bears and wolves (recently reintroduced to Yellowstone).
Yellowstone National Park
While shooting these photos, I never left the car and used a zoom lens to get up close and personal. Even still, there are moments while driving through Yellowstone when bison are right next to you on the road — just go extra slow and stay inside the vehicle, otherwise you risk getting seriously injured and even losing your pants as a tourist did several weeks ago when she was twirled around at the end of a bison horn. Not the Yellowstone memory you want!
Fantastic beasts don’t always have four legs. Sometimes they’re immobile, millions of years old and visible from miles and miles around.
Grand Teton of the Teton Range
Tomorrow, we’ll stop at a hot spot in Yellowstone National Park to see geology in progress.
Until then,
Kelly
Post of the Day: Adding a bit of light to the darkness as we get through the pandemic together. This series features travel photos from my archives, shared with you while staying close to home.
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Beautiful photographs of the landscape and the Moose and bison – both are such majestic and powerful! The note on being safe in the wild is so important when near to these powerful animals. Too often when driving through our forests I see people step out of their cars and approach wildlife like elephants to take photos. Most of them don’t have any idea of the speed these giants are capable of, and many unnecessary tragedies happen.
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Totally agree! Warnings are (sadly) very necessary. Most people have no idea of the power and aggression of these wild animals when provoked or even just approached. Be afraid and stay away! 🙂 Thanks for your comment Deb!
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Good post and photos, especially of a part of the US/North America that I’ve never been to. I always like seeing large animals in the wild as well as mountains.
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Thank you, hcyip!! If you like large animals and mountains, this is a perfect place to go! Hope you can spend some time here someday. 🙂
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Thanks for this little glimpse of Jackson Hole, and Yellowstone. In some future time I would love to explore some of the US’s national parks and Yellowstone is high on the list.
Alison
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Yellowstone and Yosemite would be a knock-your-socks-off national park combo. And a beautiful road trip between them (with a stop at our house!). Happy to offer more tips if you ever plan a trip! 🙂 Thanks, Alison!
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I love, love, love Wyoming! And all its majestic beauty! Thanks, Kelly, these are some fabulous shots! 🌞
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Yay! Thanks, Lisa! I agree — Wyoming is off the charts in terms of beauty, nature and wildlife. A real treat for anyone who drives through!
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Great shots Kelly. Here’s a stupid dad joke I used to tell my kids when they were little. “Where does a bison wash his hoofs? In a wash bison of course.” Groans ++ 😊
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HA! I just laughed out loud while sitting here at my computer. 🙂 Super cute and funny! Thanks for the laugh!
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Oh, shoot, I wrote a nice long comment here and lost it … and most of the thought behind it! Suffice it to say those are some of the most gorgeous mountains around, and the beasts are pretty impressive also.
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Sorry for the lost comment! But not surprised you would be admiring the mountains! The Tetons are pretty spectacular. Hope you’re doing well and enjoy the weekend ahead.
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How fortunate to see this area AND an old moose! I’ve never seen one! But what I really like is the close-up, a portrait if you will, of that mighty buffalo! Great shots of a spectacular place.
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Thank you! It was such a cool surprise to find that moose down in the water taking a stroll.
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