Roosevelt Arch Yellowstone’s North Entrance, backlit by morning sun.
“You will need a bare minimum of three days to see the sights along the Yellowstone road system,” says the Yellowstone Visitors Guide.
They are not exaggerating!
The Guide goes on to say: “Only 3% of Yellowstone’s visitors ever venture more than 100 yards from the road! Getting out of your car and taking even a short walk will show you what Yellowstone is all about – explore a thermal area, take photographs of the breath-taking scenery, and/or a new wildflower. Everyone should visit Old Faithful, but after watching the geyser, head out to one of the lesser known boardwalks to wait for your favorite geyser to explode.”
Although we had only a short visit, we did, of course, visit Old Faithful, taking the time to walk to the overlook, and to visit other geysers in the area. We also walked around the Artists Paint Pots and Mammoth Hot Springs – and we marvelled at them all. But what amazed me even more, was how varied and beautiful the landscape was, just from the roadways. Even from the comfort of your car, there is so much scenery and wildlife to be seen.
Each day, we entered the park from the north, coming through the Roosevelt Arch before winding our way slowly to the day’s destination – taking in the sights along the way.
Golden Gate The first road was built through the Golden Gate (so called because of the yellow hue of the rocks in the area) in 1884-85. The current road is still windy, but much safer.
Fisherman The colours are subtle on the Central Plateau, as a fly fisherman waits for a bite.
Our First Bison He’s rather scruffy looking, but he was our first bison sighting.
“Chimping” A family checks their bison pictures as they walk away from him.
Firehole River
White Waters, Firehole River.
Osprey, Firehole River Road.
Log Jam, Firehole River.
Yellow Wildflowers, Firehole River.
Rushing Water, Firehole River.
American Bison in the Woods
Bison dotted over the grasslands of Hayden Valley.
A Wapiti Buck watches us.
Large Wapiti (Cervus canadensis) grazing in rich grasslands.
Bison on the Move
On the Road ~ Evening Light.
Ancient (45-50 million years old) petrified redwood tree, Lost Lake trailhead.
Canyon Walls and Yellowstone River, Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon.
Walking the Canyon
Osprey in the updrafts of the Grand Canyon.
Rock pinnacles at the top of the waterfall give Tower Falls its name.
Bison Group
Give Way ~ Large Male Crossing!
Delicate creatures: Butterflies, Sulphur Caldron
Sulphur Caldron
Mud Pots and Spindly Trees The area around Sulphur Caldron has very little ground water.
We watched from the safety of the road as a Black Bear sauntered across the grasslands …
… and without pausing to check his reflection, went straight across a small lake.
Exiting East Too soon we had to leave the park, driving east through the Shoshone National Forest towards Cody.
Yellowstone’s landscape changes with every bend in the road. Of course, it changes with every season, as well. The guidebook is right: three days is barely enough! A friend of mine makes a point of trying to visit the park every year, and I can understand the appeal; as we drove out, we were already plotting a way to come back one day.
Seaman’s Hut A mountain hut built in memory of W. Laurie Seaman and Evan Hayes, who died in a blizzard in 1928. Summit Walk, Etheridge Range, 30 December 2012.
There can be no better place to recharge one’s batteries and to make plans for the future, than the mountains.
Of course, it is fair to say that Australian mountains are more like hills by world standards, with Mt Kosciuskzo, the highest, standing at only 2,228 meters. Even so, whenever I’m in the Snowy Mountains I revel in the crisp, clean ‘mountain’ air, and feel like the world is full of possibilities.
Silver Snow Daisy Celmisia asteliifolia on the summer slopes of Mt Hotham, 14 December 2012 (iPhone S4).
Wetlands Boggy ground and mountain views along Rennix Walk, 11 November 2012.
Mount Townsend Grass and snow patches viewed from the Summit Walk, 10 November 2012.
In the past few months, we’ve crossed through the high country passes a few times, and stayed near Kosciuszko National Park several more. Each time, the clean air and open skies have caused me to stop – to revel in those timeless moments when everything shimmers and feels endless.
Our most recent trip into Australia’s alpine regions was almost symbolic: as we approached Jindabyne, gateway to Kosciuszko, the summer sun started setting, casting a red and orange light over the land. At the same time, as if to signal the end of a hectic year, the full moon rose over the foothills.
Sunset ~ Moonrise Full moon rising: The Snowy River Way, 28 December 2012 (iPhone S4).
Full-Moon Magic The last full moon of the year through the gum trees, Jindabyne, 28 December 2012.
After arriving at our destination, we sat outside. Everything was quiet as we watched the last full moon of the year rise through the gum trees opposite our patio. What a perfect way to wind down after a busy festive season with family!
Of course, I don’t sit still for very long; in a few days we were out cycling and walking across some of Kosciuszko National Park’s vast and varied alpine landscape.
The Main Range Patches of Mountain Celery are scattered across the Main Range, Kosciuszko National Park.
Mountain Celery Aciphylla glacialis against the open sky, 30 December 2012 (iPhone S4).
Eyebright Clumps of euphrasia collina dot the hillside beside the Summit Walk, 30 December 2012.
Australian Raven The distinctive long throat feathers (hackles) accompany the raucous cries of one of the many corvus coronoides along our track, 30 December 2012.
It’s a wild and rugged landscape.
Silver Snow Daisies don’t bloom long, but are my favourite.
Their beautiful silver-blue foliage colours the alpine hollows.
Grasslands It’s a nice, easy walk from Thredbo Diggings campsite to Bullock’s Hut, 01 January 2013.
Fallen log along Bullock’s Track.
Sun bounces off the grasses.
Purple Wildflowers The wild and delicate forest floor, 01 January 2013.
Gum Forest Gum trees – fallen and standing – line Bullock’s Track.
Confluence The meeting point of Thredbo River and Little Thredbo River at Bullock’s Flat, 01 January 2013.
Clear Waters The Thredbo River runs cold and clear, Bullock’s Flat, 01 January 2013.
Company March flies can be an ever-present pest during the summer months. Bullock’s Flat, 01 January 2013.
A Riot of Colour Delicate yellow pea flowers in rich green grass, Bullock’s Flat, 01 January 2013.
Memorial to fires past.
Bullock’s Track.
Grasses in the Wind Life is tough in the Snowy Mountains: tufts of grass get a hold on granite rock.
White Flowers With every step, the textures, colours and scents of the forest change.
Family Day Out Families spend their New Year’s day cooling off in the Thredbo River, 01 January 2013.
It is always delightful exploring Kosciuszko National Park’s tracks and trails, and it was a great place to welcome the New Year, with all it’s fresh potential.
Wishing you all the best of the New Year ~ where ever you are and whatever your plans.
Pictures: 10 and 11 November 2012; 14 and 30 December 2012; 1 January 2013.
[…] I, personally, have been incredibly lucky this past year – with new babies and new adventures – but the events of the world around me have had an impact. I often feel weighted down by the disasters and acts of insanity that I see in the nightly news and feel the need to withdraw: to wrap myself in healing nature and refresh my spirit. There can be no better place to recharge one’s batteries and to make plans for the future, than t… […]ReplyCancel
The giant warrior (Dvarapala Yaksha) guards the doors to Wat Ratchathammaram’s unfinished temple.
Enlightenment doesn’t happen overnight.
Neither, apparently, does building a temple.
I don’t know how long they have been working on the new wihan (พระวิหาร), or shrine hall, at Wat Ratchathammaram (วัดราชธรรมาราม) in Maret on the southeast side of Koh Samui, but we’ve been driving past on the way to or from somewhere for several of our visits to the island over recent years – the sight each time causing me to remark on the beautiful red colour of the cement or clay in the building’s structure.
On our last two visits: mid-2011 and early 2012, we actually stopped. Comparing the two sets of photos that I took, I can see little change in the building or the surrounding grounds across the intervening time.
Although the shrine hall structure is up, and some of the paving is down, Wat Ratchathammaram’swihan still has an “unfinished” look.
The giant warriors have been standing guard at the temple doorway for some time…
…but the dragons at the steps are still supported by scaffolding.
The wihan houses the temple’s Buddha image.
Thai temples are often decorated with murals depicting stories from religious and everyday life. Theravada Buddhist scriptures are written in Pali, an Indian language not generally understood by Thais outside the monkhood, and temple art provides a means of passing on historical, moral, and religious lessons.
At Wat Ratchathammaram, the murals are in elaborate bas-relief, instead of the more common stylised and richly-coloured wall paintings.
This panel depicts Hanuman, the magical white monkey warrior, in an episode from the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana, the 2000 year old Hindu epic.
Scenes of battle from the Ramakien.
Ganesh, the Remover of Obstacles, in a back corner.
Devas, benevolent supernatural beings, say prayers.
More deities feature on the exterior of the back wall.
The intricately decorated roof bargeboard or lamyong includes elements of the feathered garuda and the serpentine nāga.
Karma, from the Sanskrit karman, or ‘action, effect, fate’, comes from one’s actions and intentions. Therefore, making merit (puñña), or doing good mindfully, contributes to good karma in the Thai world-view. Honouring others (especially the Buddha) and offering service (especially to the temple) are a great way to make merit.
A young man meticulously fills the gaps between the paving tiles.
Careful work on the new paving tiles.
Paving tools.
As is the case on any building site, rubble collects on the ground.
New mouldings are stacked and waiting.
Meanwhile, around the rest of the temple grounds, life continues.
A cat sits on the tea-making table outside the abbot’s rooms.
Little kuti (monks’ houses) drop down the hill…
… with a pleasing view over the Bay of Thailand.
Beneath the temple, down towards the beach, a number of memorial stupas are located.
Decorated in rich colours and designs…
… they contain the ashes of loved ones.
Vases for flower offerings and incense sit at the base of many of the stupas –
– and a Buddha image is never far away.
The wildly coloured temple bell is a surprise, given the monochrome tones of the wihan.
It is a lovely, quiet spot, and I look forward to seeing what changes – if any – have been effected by our next visit.
Greetings to you, too, Dietmut! Glad you enjoyed the post. 🙂ReplyCancel
Michael -January 14, 2014 - 8:10 pm
Liked your post and your pics are so much better than the ones I took!!!!!!!!, having read your article I can confirm that it is much the same as when you were last there, my pics from 24th Mar 2013 still show dragons supported by scaffolding and building rubble scattered around, all the same I liked it and will revisit in April 2014.
In preparation, I’m packing a bag for my escape to Australia’s Snowy Mountains. For while many regard New Year’s Eve as a time for noise-makers, fireworks, and drunken revelry, I prefer to use the time to take stock of the year past and to sketch out tentative plans for the year coming.
This time last year we were barely into our current home, surrounded by boxes and chaos. In the intervening twelve months, we’ve managed to carve out some order and to adjust to a different kind of lifestyle in a vastly different environment. But we have also been “on the road” and away from our house for at least half that time.
One of the things that becomes more noticeable when you travel is how very different people’s live are. Not just the obvious: food and housing and clothing; but the deeper fundamentals. Values and beliefs: what it means to be a “good” person; people’s hopes and dreams for themselves, and more importantly, for their children.
I was reminded of these differences everywhere we went this past year: England, Ireland, and Wales; Western Canada and across the US; country and coastal Australia; and most obviously, Thailand and Myanmar. As the Thais say, people everywhere are: “same, same… but different!”
Novice in an Alcove
The young burmese novice in this series of photos is a perfect example. He lives, studies, works, and sleeps in Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery in Myanmar’s Shan State, where his life is well-ordered but rather austere. Entering the monastery is likely to have been his family’s decision, rather than his own, and the decision was probably based on pragmatic as well as spiritual considerations: this is a poor area, and boys in monasteries such as this get their food, clothing, and education provided. I don’t know what his personal hopes and dreams are, but he won’t have been expecting a lot of fancy gifts from Santa this past week.
In one of the outer pagodas, filled with individual Buddhas in niches – all bearing the names of their benefactors – the young novice sat in absolute stillness for half an hour, surrounded by candles in the tropical heat, while ten travellers with assorted cameras snapped pictures of him from all angles. Outwardly, he did not question this odd request from the foreign visitors. His Abbot had told him to go sit – so he sat.
Novice Monk in Prayer
Clearly, these are not “found” images; the scene was set by our photographic-tour leader, Karl Grobl and our local guide MM while we were visiting Myanmar last September.
Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery in Nyaung Shwae is housed in a beautiful 150-year-old teak building, which I will return to in some future “Wanders” PhotoBlog post. We visited the monastery twice: once in the mid-morning for lunch, and on this evening occasion to photograph the young novice in the small window of opportunity between the fall of darkness and evening prayers.
Novice in Candlelight
While these images may not tell us much about this young novice’s actual life, to me they convey the kind of quiet, meditative contemplation that I associate with the New Year period.
So, I wish you and yours a happy and peaceful new year, and the quiet time to reflect on what is important.
I love the images. Another year of very good weekly wanders completed.
Always thought provoking.ReplyCancel
Karl Grobl -December 27, 2012 - 6:46 am
Ursula, what a wonderful post for the approaching new year. You’ve given us amazing images and an important message to ponder. Thanks for sharing, and I wish you the best in the coming year. Cheers, KarlReplyCancel
Thanks so much, Lisa. One day you and I have to talk about processing: your colours from the same location are SO different!!
Have a great 2013. 🙂ReplyCancel
Great images Ursula,
I particularly like the “Novice in an alcove” (as captioned) shot. I know some people love “inspirational” messages/text added to such images, but to me they work best without. Just a personal preference! 🙂
Best wishes for the New Year.ReplyCancel
lovely as always and may your 2013 be everything you both hope for. Thanks for the travels this year…looking forward to what 2013 holds in store.ReplyCancel
I wouldn’t feel too guilty abt getting the little boy to sit still for an hour for your photos – every day we ask children to sit still for hours on end in the name of teaching them spelling and arithmetic 🙂ReplyCancel
Very true, Philip! But I know MY children wouldn’t have sat so still. Thanks for your visit! 🙂ReplyCancel
Denise Johnson -April 13, 2014 - 1:39 am
Thanks for sharing these images. Seven years ago I had a death experience that looked so much like this photo. Seeing it almost made me faint. I am inspired to visit this monastery before I die, now. Please kindly send the boy a percentage of the sales of the cards. The monastery as well as his family could use the support and his practice is now making you money. I wouldn’t want you to receive negative karmic ramifications. Thank you.ReplyCancel
[…] Candles in the Alcove Once the novices have eaten, we are able to persuade one to pose for us in the alcove. (I posted a selection of these photos as “Light the Way” some time ago.) […]ReplyCancel
“Suffer the Children” Detail from one of the magnificent Harry Clarke stained glass windows, DIseart, DIngle, Ireland
It’s a funny day today: the blustery winds keep changing directions as I watch the swans and pelicans on the estuary across the road from where I live.
I had a fleeting moment, at some point during this year, of thinking that I might be blogging or posting a status update as the world was ending: a bizarre conceit, really – after all, if everything stops, I’m sure the electricity and internet will be the first to go! And, who would possibly be reading? But, it is perhaps symptomatic of this “connected” world we are now in, that this silly thought even crossed my mind.
As I write this, the press is still full of reaction to the recent horror-killing in the USA, half a world away: that of 20+ children and 6 adults at a Connecticut school. A tragic occurrence by any standards. But, we live in a world where, on average, 19000 children under five die every day: from disease, war, and insufficient nutrition. Those headlines are less dramatic.
Six months ago, I was in the western-most reaches of Ireland, where the rocks and the ruins seem well removed from the woes of the 21st century. Truly, as my husband and I walked around the flank of Mount Eagle, with nothing standing between us and North America except the wild Atlantic Ocean, I felt as if we were in another world.
But this rugged landscape is steeped in its own tragic history of oppression and starvation, and located in a country currently struggling through crippling unemployment.
Before leaving Dingle, we stopped in at Dingle’s well advertised “Hidden Treasure”: the Díseart Institute of Irish Spirituality and Culture: a former convent, housing an information centre and some absolutely fabulous religious art.
“The Last Supper” Detail from the Fresco painted by American mural artist Eleanor Yates. The Apostles are all modelled on local men, and all the items and foodstuffs on the table are from local crafts and produce. You can see Dingle Bay through the “windows”.
Honora “Nano” Nagle (1718-1784) Another room houses a mural depicting Nano Nagle in Paris, before her decision to live her life by Christ’s example. Later, back in Ireland, she founded the Presentation Sisters and, in spite of the risks, established several schools for the poor.
Created in 1922, the richly detailed Harry Clarke windows depict six scenes from the life of Christ.
The Harry Clarke stained glass windows are just beautiful, but there came a point at which we had to brave the rains and start walking the 20 kilometres between us and our next lodgings.
Leaving Dingle – down a wet road and into the mists…
Beautifully fragrant wild honeysuckle (Woodbine: Lonicera periclymenum) lines the roadways we followed. I was told these plants epitomise the Irish: flexible, resilient, and deceptively strong.
“Turn left at the fence.” Ivy grows on wooden fence rails, next to galvanised gate posts.
Once off the roads, we are surrounded by honeysuckle, blackberry and fuchsia. Although not native to Ireland, fuchsia were planted as hedges by farmers and are now ubiquitous all over the southwest.
The fuchsia are much happier about the rain than we are.
White-flowers on a wet and windy Ventry Beach.
Following our guide notes, we walked the three kilometres along Ventry Beach…
… crossing streams along the way.
Clumps of grass growing in sand: Ventry Beach.
A modern house sits among the stone cottages and ruins.
Like a scene from another time: The hill is dotted with thatched stone cottages, stone and wooden fences, and beasts of burden.
Looking back towards Ventry and Dingle, we can see where we have walked.
We follow the old stone walls…
… up the hill.
We are watched by sheep…
… as we cross waterfalls.
Eventually, we spot our first clochans, or “Beehive Cells”, built by early Christian monks between 700 and 800 AD. The Blasket Islands are visible on the horizon.
These huts, like the early monasteries of Ireland, were occupied into the 12th Century. During this period, the Celtic Church was not under the direct rule of Rome, and so kept many of the early Pre-Christian influences.
Wet to the knees, we work our way through foxgloves and ferns.
The Beehive Cells are everywhere.
Under Brehon Laws in the 19th century, family plots were divided among the sons, until the farms became too small to be useful.
Stone walls still divide the countryside as we descend to the road and round the hill towards Dunquin.
The skies darken further. Daisies flank one side of the road ~
~ and the other side drops off steeply into the ocean.
Harry Clarke stained glass.
In spite of the recent hardships and poignant memories of famine, exodus, and “the Troubles”, there is a faith and resilience in Ireland that keeps the smiles, the hospitality, and the music flowing.
Christmas is just around the corner, so it is fitting to return to Harry Clarke’s windows.
Perhaps, if the world continues tomorrow, as most of us believe it will, we can fulfil the Mayan prophesy by making the world a different and better place – especially for the children.
Ursula, a nice series as usual. Thanks for your best wishes. I wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas and an wonderful 2013.
Greetings, Dietmut
- Performing the Ganga Aarti from Dasaswamedh Ghat, Varanasi
- Buddha Head from Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar
- Harry Clarke Window from Dingle, Ireland
- Novice Monk Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery, Myanmar
Packets of 10 for $AU50.
Or - pick any photo from my Flickr or Wanders blog photos.
Yellowstone’s landscape changes with every bend in the road. Of course, it changes with every season, as well. The guidebook is right: three days is barely enough! A friend of mine makes a point of trying to visit the park every year, and I can understand the appeal; as we drove out, we were already plotting a way to come back one day.
It is a lovely, quiet spot, and I look forward to seeing what changes – if any – have been effected by our next visit.
While these images may not tell us much about this young novice’s actual life, to me they convey the kind of quiet, meditative contemplation that I associate with the New Year period.
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fantastic, started reading this yesterday and had lots of trouble with the links… great read and amazing shots…just lovely tks
Sorry you had trouble with the links, Signe. I just tested them and they seem ok. Always glad to have you along!