Well---I know these are really bison because the ranger told me of the herd's location and there are signs posted but --( I told you my pic wasn't very clear!) Since they are my only shots of these animals, here they are--ENJOY! 

--a slightly closer look--really hard to believe--for me, at least. 

This is what it looks like now--as petrified wood ---stone---instead of alive like I saw just weeks ago, along the CA coast. 

Petrified Redwood--really hard to believe the land was like the California coast, so many years ago, to support the very 'picky' Redwood tree that won't grow without its wet, cool climate. But there is a whole ridge of these petrified giants. 

the waterfalls were few, just because there aren't many 'falls' in the park. The ground is fairly level around the rivers, in my observation. We follow the yellowstone into the park but it isn't the only river. There are several small ones. 

And then there were the Hot Springs colors--color indicates temperature, by the presence of different heat-loving bacteria, living in differing hot to very hot waters.  

-and last #5, leaving us for another 90 minutes, or so, as the eruption diminishes and the geyser becomes quiet again. We were too far away to really hear the distinctive noises--the rumbling and gurgling sounds--that are a 'tell-tale' of an imminant eruption. Some of the geysers even have nicknames--like the lion--but I didn't get to those. Have to leave somethings for another trip! 

--#4, beginning to get broader and not as high, as the eruption begins to subside. 

--#3, at it's height, I think-- 

--#2--still Old Faithful-- 

then--Old Faithful--#1 

Then we waited for Old Faithful--MANY of us waited-- 

Then Beehive erupted--just for me, I'm sure, even if I wasn't one of those up close, my camera was ready! And the relative size, of the eruption, is apparent from those adults that were up close enuf to be included in my pic. 

-like these small eruptions. Maybe sometimes they are more active, but for me they remained small. But then-- 

--more as small geysers, than just hot springs--or as both-- 

Mammoth Hot Springs area--lots of these springs in this area of Yellowstone. Then they appear along the rivers--- 

Mammoth Hot Springs, just near the North entrance to Yellowstone. Very hot pools. 

--and individually--showing just how young they really were--still have the spots, of the very young animals. Not sure what to make of all the 'tourist' commotion,either. Calling to 'mama' to help with the decision but the older females knew they were all protected in the park, so ignored their young. 

--and the young ones--in a group-- 

2 females, grazing on the private lawns--what a way to get your lawn mowed!! 

--for this one, he stopped for a moment--so better focus. 

My Bull Elk--slightly out of focus, but my action shot-- 

--North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, outside Gardiner, MT. Created" March 1, 1872, by act of congress"as it reads on the right side of the arch. 

closeup of the island, in the middle of St Mary's lake. There's an Indian legend too, of course, about a maiden and a young brave---the usual conflict --- and now they're isolated on the island, outside family influences or conflicts. But a very prominant and visible landmark, so there's bound to be a legend. 

St Mary's lake---not too far from where we had lunch--just not the view!