Nature’s Paint Can – Mudpots

The variety of hydrothermal (hot water) features in Yellowstone is endless. Actually, Yellowstone contains half of the hydrothermal features in the whole world! They come in many types, but one of the most intriguing is the mudpot. Mudpots…

In the Shadow of Old Faithful

Old Faithful Geyser is so iconic and spectacular we often forget that it is surrounded by other incredible hydrothermal features. In fact, the Upper Geyser Basin, where Old Faithful is located, has the highest concentration of active geysers…

Wildfire: The Circle of Life

This past month the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has entered “Wildfire Season.”All the new growth from our warm, wet springs begins to dry out in the July heat. This creates lots of tinder for naturally occurring wildfire. Lightning storms…

Fishing Buddies – The American White Pelican

Whenever I turn the tour van alongside the Snake River and the guests get their first glimpse of that iconic waterway, I am always waiting to hear someone exclaim, “Is that a swan? Wait, no. What is that?” Nope, it’s not swan (although…

Super Mega Volcano!

The cataclysmic scenarios of the Yellowstone Super Volcano erupting have reached mythic proportions. It will consume the whole world! Humans will go extinct! It will burn up the western hemisphere! Lava will cover San Fransisco AND New York! In…

Mountains & Men Part 1: Mount Moran

Although slightly less famous than it’s taller brother, the Grand Teton, Mount Moran is often cited as people’s favorite mountain of the Teton Range.       The large, solitary mass of granite is recognizable by…

Protecting Our Wildlife

One of the most thrilling things about visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks is that often the wildlife can be seen right from our tour vehicles. Herds of bison meander across the road as we drive through Hayden Valley. Pronghorn…

Photos of Yellowstone: Then and Now

In 1871, photographer William Henry Jackson travelled with the Hayden Geological Survey to what would soon become Yellowstone. He captured many iconic images of this wild and beautiful place. Recently, photographer Bradley Boner set out to…

The Value of a View

We don’t often remember federal documents for the beauty of their words. However, the Wilderness Act of 1964 stands out with its poetic and lyrical vision of what an expanse of protected land can be: “an area where the earth and its…

Nature’s Palette

There are rainbows everywhere you look here! Whether it’s a rainbow after a summer shower in Jackson Hole, a magical sunset in Grand Teton National Park, or the beautiful colors in a hot spring pool in Yellowstone, color seems to be a continuous…