Yellowstone is one bizzare and utterly beautiful place where there is evidence of volcanic activity at every turn.

 
My last morning takes me to the Hayden Valley where I take in the steam rising off the river as the sun comes up.

 
As the sun sets I seek out a tent site above Tower Falls. I bypass the campgrounds for a nice back country site where I can hear the sound of the falls, the wolves howling and the elk bugling while enjoying a starfield on a moonless night that surpased any other I have ever witnessed.

 
There are some photos you will have an opportunity to shoot but once in a lifetime. Fighting to win a harem of some 20 cows, these massive bull elks engage in deadly combat. I have a sequence of some 20 photos depicting this all out battle. Trust me when I say these are very dangerous animals and you need to keep your distance.

 
I just loved the aspens in full color set against the seemingly monochromatic surroundings.

 
After many years of trying, I captured an image of a mature Bald Eagle, in flight no less. It was the only one I saw during my entire stay and it was in view for less than 20 seconds as it cruised the Yellowstone River in search of a meal.

 
One of my favorite wildlife photographs of the trip, perhaps because I had to hike so far to get it. One heard of elk has occupied the town of Mammouth Hot Springs where they enjoy resting on the manicured lawns and showering when the irrigation sprinklers burst into action. It is a total side show as the tourists jockey for position to take pictures with their cell phones. I prefer photos where I can capture wildlife in their natural habitat even if it means lugging my 15 pound 800mm lense and tripod up the side of a mountain.

 
During my four day visit I log about 600 miles of driving as I seek to explore every corner of the park. One incidental benefit of the forest fires is that they have open up vistas that would be otherwise obscured by the very tall pine trees.

 
Another very early morning so that I can capture sunrise in the Yellowstone Canyon.

 
As night falls, I spot this bull elk and his harem high on a ridge. By the time I am finished photographing the elk it is very dark and I decide to stay in the campground at Norris rather than stumbling through the wilderness in search of an open area to pitch my tent. The chatter of the other campers, however, convince me that I will find a back country site tomorrow evening. Each night I heat a can of soup on my portable stove for dinner which warms me up in advance of the very cold night.

 
The park was ravaged by fire in the 80s but I can not tell you how many beautiful scenes this has creatd throughout the park.

 
My next stop is the Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park. I intentionally include my shadow for something of a self portrait. Eruptions occur approximately every 90 minutes and I was fortunate to observe 3 during my investigation of the geyser basin.

 
As the sun continues to rise it lights up the exquisite fall folliage.

 
By 6AM I have eaten breakfast, broken camp, returned to the car and driven to the perfect overlook from which to photograph the Tetons by morning light. I am rewarded for my effort when a moose decides to traverse the river exactly at the moment the sun has started to illuminate the peaks. Click on the photo to see a larger version.