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Yellowstone National Park
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At least as exciting as the many hydrothermal features of the park is the amount and diversity of its wildlife. Synonomous with Yellowstone is the great buffalo, once countless in North America, but now roaming freely only in Yellowstone and one or two other places. There are approximately 3,500 of these animals presently living within the park borders. Below a family, including a small calf, browses on grass in a meadow in the western portion of the park.
These great animals can often be observed in repose, as are these two animals lounging near the Firehole River in the Upper Geyser Basin. Although the animals often appear lazy and slow moving, they can reach a top speed of 40 miles per hour in full gallop.
As the summer progresses the animals lose much of the their heavy winter coat. Portions of this coat can be seen still clinging to the summer coat of this animal grazing near the Yellowstone River.
The buffalo has returned from the brink of extinction. In the early 1800's herds of these animals covered the plains, but incredibly by 1900 the number of buffalo had diminished to less than 1000; today, over 30,000 exist. A closeup of the head of a buffalo below shows the heavy coat of fur the animal possesses.
Among the most impressive of the flying creatures is the trumpeter swan. These birds, of which only a few hundred still remain, exist now in only a very few places, including Yellowstone and a spot in Idaho. Their wingspan may reach 7 feet. A small group of these magnificent birds can be seen here floating on the Madison River.
Another bird swims alone on the same river.
Somewhat surprisingly, seagulls can be found within the park, half a continent away from the ocean. These birds are swimming on the northern portion of Yellowstone Lake.
One of the favorites of people visiting the park is the yellow-bellied marmot. These endearing animals can be found in areas where people congregate, hoping for handouts from tourists who ignore prohibitions against feeding animals, or in more isolated areas, where they life a more natural (and healthy) life.
The first fellow below is hoping some human food might fall in his direction.
These two animals enjoy each other's company away from the crush of tourists.
Another marmot can be seen on the rock in the picture on the left below. On the right is an animal which preys on many types of small animals in the park--along with deer, elk, rabbit, rodents, snakes, birds, and insects--is the coyote, seen here among the sage. The coyote, known as the "song dog" by the Indians, is the smallest species of wild dog, weighing around 75 pounds and standing approximately 2 feet at the shoulder and measuring 4 1/2 to 4 feet in length.
Although rarer than the buffalo, moose may also be seen in various places in the park, especially near wetlands where food is available. This moose heads up a hill away from a waterway in the north portion of the park, following the solitary life which is characteristic of members of this species.
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