August 7, 2011

Yellowstone Falls

No trip to Yellowstone is complete with out a visit to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the two major waterfalls. 
The above photo was taken from the brink of the Upper Falls, which drops 109 feet into the canyon below.
And here is the Lower Falls from one of the many viewpoints.  It drops 308 feet into the canyon. The canyon walls were formed from lava flows during the area's active volcanic period.  Yellowstone received its name from the yellowish color of the canyon walls.  Most of the yellow color is due to iron in the rhyolite, a volcanic rock.
When the light shone on the water just right, we saw a rainbow.
From the waterfall viewpoint, looking downstream, we saw an osprey nest located on one of the pinnacles in the canyon.  I've marked the location in the above photo.
The adult and 3 chicks showed off for the tourists, occasionally flapping their wings for exercise. 
They called out as another osprey soared through the canyon.  We assumed it was the other parent hunting for a fish meal.  While we watched, the second parent landed in the nest,  then quickly flew away.  Our view wasn't good enough to see if he left a fish, but the crew seemed to be eating after that, so we assume the hunt was successful.

24 comments:

  1. Boy, whatever lens you used for the Osprey shots really worked! All you photos looks so very nice, colorful and sharp. Well done. makes me want to go back to Yellowstone when I really do not want to.

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  2. Oh WOW> This is definitely going on my Bucket List of places to see. Writing it down now!
    This is incredible....will you be my tour guide?
    Those shots look as though you were hanging over the edge....

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  3. Awesome, Janie! You have given us views not seen ... just breathtaking.

    PS That quartz was gorgeous wasn't it?!

    Have a beautiful week ~
    TTFN ~
    Marydon

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  4. Nature at its best! Such a beautiful place to experience. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Those Osprey have a magnificent view! Yellowstone Falls and Canyon are gorgeous. Great shots!

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  6. That fall is gorgeous. We loved seeing the Osprey's and the nest so close as well...looks like the babies have doubled in size since we were there 6 weeks ago. CUTE.

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  7. OH My Heart... Isn't that place just incredible? The waterfalls are 'to die for'... I hope we get there next year. That's our plan right now!!!

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  8. Nice perk spotting the Osprey nest! Maybe it'll still be there when we're there?

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  9. Quite the zoom of the osprey's nest. Their diet consists entirely of fish, so there must be a lot of water bodies. I wonder what the Yellowstone of the Grand Canyon is?

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  10. I'm impressed that you noticed the osprey nest. You got some good pictures of the family. Your pictures of the waterfalls are wonderful. We definitely have to get there.

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  11. I don't know how I missed this Grand Canyon when visiting Yellowstone 30 years ago. WOW! Those falls are Impressive. But even more would I be an osprey with a nest on a pinnacle with that view. Awesome sightings and captures.

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  12. Terrific views. One of my favorite places in the park.

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  13. breath taking.....what an awesome experience...

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  14. The first time my husband and I visited Yellowstone, we were camping, and it was early June and cold and rainy. After a day of sightseeing in miserable weather, we arrived at the falls, and I refused to get out of the car. I had just hit the wall. The second time we went to Yellowstone, I understood what I had missed the first time!

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  15. Before seeing this it never occurred to me that osprey would live in Yellowstone Park. But I guess they live anywhere they can find fish and a high, HIGH place to build a nest.

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  16. love the falls......nature at its raw best!!!
    i envy you..u get to live in such a beautiful place and on top of that get to visit more beautiful places!!!

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  17. the scenery does take your breath away and you have captured it so well.

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  18. I never get tired of the seeing the lower falls. I'm not sure I've ever seen the upper. Great long distance shot on the Ospreys.

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  19. Those are some heart-stopping photos, especially the one of the brink of the falls. It has been 22 years since I was at Yellowstone, and I am dying to go back and let my daughter experience it.

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  20. These are wonderful pictures. I sure wish I could take photographs.

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  21. What a beautiful set of photos! The location of the Osprey nest looks precarious, especially if it is windy.

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  22. fun fun! Love the little Osprey family :) And looks like a perfect day for some play time in Yellowstone. Love the rainbow effect on the falls. Great series!

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  23. No matter how many times you see these falls, or from which angle or whatever time of day, each time is is just as impressive as the first. great shots!
    - The Equestrian Vagabond

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  24. Great shots of a great place! We only saw the osprey chicks. The parents must have been out fishing.

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