Landscapes of the Yellowstone National Park: In five pics

Yellowstone national park is famous for two attractions: its wildlife and hot springs. However, there's a lot more to it. Yellowstone varies a lot in its landscape and altitude. I went to Yellowstone in early May, when south east portion of the park was closed and eastern Yellowstone was just opened. I entered the park from north western entrance in Idaho and greeted with green landscape and marching bisons. I was staying at mammoth hot springs within the park which was located north central. Yellowstone is huge, larger than the state of Rhode Island. In numbers, the park is around 3500 square miles. Few deers tried to run me and my car down on my way there. Their bright eyes in dark did help avoid the collision. Lesson learned: do no drive in Yellowstone after dark. Mammoth hot springs village, as the name suggested, was near one of the hot springs, mammoth hot springs. Different bacteria live in those hot springs based on the temperature. They have different colors, which make every hot spring an assortment of rainbows. Then, of course, there's a lake Yellowstone. Yellowstone also has an active volcano. Northeast entrance of Yellowstone in Montana had a bit of snow but east Yellowstone was a white paradise. For snow lovers, a better sight hardly exists. Two days before I exited from the east side of the park, avalanche warning closed that exit for several hours. I experienced the reason. A part of east Yellowstone was like a big box. The mountain slops on both sides were steep, high, almost 80 degrees and snow covered. I felt claustrophobic and exhilaration of trapped inside a gigantic box. A vast field filled with undisturbed snow definitely showed me how heaven must look like: serene, calm and beautiful white. Of course Yellowstone has a grand canyon, waterfalls and not to forget two valleys full with wild animals. Enjoy five of the best landscape pics. It is difficult to chose one bonus video for Yellowstone landscape, but east Yellowstone it is, since that part of Yellowstone is not in any other Yellowstone posts.
 

Glaciers of Prince William Sound, Alaska: In Five Pics

Unforgettable Alaska Trip. Glaciers are serene beauty of Alaska. I went on a day cruise called glacier discovery in the waters of Prince William Sound. I saw some wildlife as well, sans whales. Nonetheless the glacier part of the trip was Picturesque. Glaciers are compact snow rivers. They are moving at all times, but slow. We were fortunate to witness their slow movement. The only way to witness that is when a chunk of glaciers falls into the ocean. Every year glaciers gain new snow and lose some to ocean. By monitoring net gain and loss we can determine whether a glacier is receding, stable or advancing. While under the climate change and increasing global temperatures, overall glaciers are receding, I was happy to know that a couple of glaciers in Alaska were advancing. Enjoy the pictures and a bonus video.

Otters chilling out in the backdrop of a gorgeous glacier.


Glacier structure up, close and personal.


Ocean, rain forest and a grand glacier.


Here the glacier looks like a river, as they are slow moving rivers of compact snow.


Our cruise approaching the surprise glacier. Yes surprise is the name of the glacier.