Yellowstone
In 1807, John Colter of the Lewis and Clark expedition walked through the Yellowstone and Grand Teton region. It is nearly 200 years later and one can walk this region and view in wonder almost every species he would have seen. 18 species of carnivores including wolves, black and grizzly bears, 7 species of hoofed mammals, 22 species of rodents, and more than 300 species of birds not to mention the 900 species of flowering plants.
The two worlds of summer and winter in this magnificent region require the migration of animals and birds. Migrations are a necessary requirement for these species to survive the two worlds of winter and summer. Hawks and humming birds may migrate as far as Central and South America.
The Grand Teton National Park is on an expansive 310,000 acre tract of managed nature that covers from the Rocky Mountains to the valley of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Geysers such as the famous Old Faithful which one can set his clock by and mud pots and river valleys make up this awe inspiring part of the world.
The birth of this magnificent scenery began about 13 million years ago which was a time of violent earthquakes that eventually created the Teton range. Glaciers more than 12,000 years ago carved the canyons and formed steep peaks the highest of which is the Grand Teton over a mile above the flatlands. The myriad forms of wildlife continue to reform the scenery with their grazing, nesting, birthing and hunting through this treasured landscape.
Without the companionship of the moose, magpies swans and so many others the scenery would be beautiful but a lonely place for humans to come to. Take out the sounds of ducks in the rivers and the trilling of the blackbird and an integral part of this beauty is lost.