Archive for the ‘Rocky Mountain’ Tag
The treasure you’ll find at Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia comes in golden sunrise sparkles, glimpses of rare wildlife and 5,618 acres of precious forests, marshes and beaches. Only accessible by boat, the island was used by the Navy as a source of live oak timber for shipbuilding in the early 1800s. Now, the island is a source of joy and solitude for all who visit. Photo by Becky Skiba, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 9/13/16.
It pays to get up early! Stunning views & majestic wildlife await at Rocky Mountain National Park. Photo by Brandon Sharpe. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 9/13/16.
As if Fantasy Canyon isn’t already a great name, this remote wonderland in Utah has also been called “The Devil’s Playground” and “Hades Pit.” Off the beaten path of more famous Southwestern sites, Fantasy Canyon is protected by the Bureau of Land Management and boasts some of the most amazing erosional features you will ever see. Sunrise photo courtesy of Brock Slinger. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 9/25/16.
Nothing says spring like the colorful wildflowers of Handies Peak Wilderness Study Area in Colorado. More than beautiful springtime displays, this secluded landscape offers alpine lakes, large canyons and 13 peaks over 13,000 feet. Make the most of this season by hiking, backpacking, camping or mountain climbing in this remarkable wilderness. Photo by Bob Wick. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 4/5/16.
Now is the perfect time to see Mars in the summer night sky at Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 8/10/16.
Offering a huge reward for little effort, Dream Lake is only a mile hike from Bear Lake Trailhead at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Winter conditions can add complications, but there’s nothing like sunrise painting the mountains to make you forget about the cold. Photo by Crystal Brindle. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 2/24/16.
Dinosaurs once roamed here, and visitors today can see the fossils of these ancient creatures embedded in the rocks of Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado. The park also preserves petroglyphs (patterns chipped or carved into rock) and pictographs (patterns painted on rock) of designs shaped like lizards, birds, spirals and more. Photographer Dustin Baugh captured this beautiful photo before cooking dinner at his campsite: “The meadow was full of deer and Canadian geese wandering the swollen river banks, with one large bighorn sheep grazing near the cliffs.” Photo courtesy of Dustin Baugh. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 6/2/16.
Sunrise over Oregon’s Crater Lake National Park. Photo by Greg Nyquist. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 2/17/16.
Sunrise, snow & clouds mingle to create a spellbinding pic of Mesa Arch Utah’s Canyonlands National Park. Photo by Simon Dumont. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 2/18/16.
Sunrise over Rocky Mountain National Park. Photo by Erik Page. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 2/13/16.
First light brings out an array of colors at Mesa Arch at Canyonlands National Park. Photo by Mark Handy. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 3/7/16.
Sunrise over the Teton Mountains in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. Photo by Eric Bennett. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 2/20/16.
The hour before sunset is called “the golden hour” by photographers, because the sun’s light is just extraordinary at that time. Here’s some proof.
Sunset from one of the most spectacular places in the Southwest: Horseshoe Bend in Arizona’s Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Photo by Sahan Gamage. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 1/27/16.
Mt. Shuksan illuminated by the setting sun at Cascades National Park. Photo by Adhika Lie. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 1/21/16.
Rocky Mountain National Park was founded in 1915. Photo from Dream Lake by Malcolm Boshier. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 1/26/16.
Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado boasts the tallest dunes in North America. Spreading across 30 square miles, this ocean of sand glows under a winter coat of snow. Cleveland Peak catches the moonlight too, creating this gorgeous winter shot. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 1/8/16.
Wrangell-St Elias National Park under the aurora borealis and the moon. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 1/5/16.
Rocky Mountain National Park. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 1/4/16.
Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge in southwest Wyoming is an important habitat for more than 250 species of resident and migratory wildlife. The area was used by nomadic Indian tribes, fur trappers and early pioneers. It is rich in history and natural beauty, as you can see from this stunning winter scene. Photo by Tom Koerner, US Fish & Wildlife Service. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 1/6/16.
With no roads or trails, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is a vast wilderness. From November to March, most activity ceases, while -10ºF to -40ºF temperatures persist. The dry interior climate doesn’t see much snow, but what little amount falls stays to cover land in ice and silence. It is a stunning, but harsh landscape. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 1/7/16.
Eric Schuette loves taking photos of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Every trip into the park can be a special moment. “The mountains were completely covered by clouds. As we hiked into the darkness you could see little signs of clearing and then just before the sun came up the clouds thinned and we were left with a beautiful winter scene looking out towards Long’s Peak.” Photo by Eric Schuette. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 12/21/15.
Snowy mountains are gorgeous, but can be challenging models. Casey Withers was recently at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming trying to capture the sunrise. It was a cold morning and clouds were moving in. “This shot was set up originally as a test shot as we waited for sunrise, but three minutes later the mountains were covered. Glad I was prepared.” Photo by Casey Withers. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 12/22/15.
This is a different kind of traffic jam at Yellowstone National Park. Bison weigh up to 2,000 lbs and can pack a lot of attitude. They can run up to 35 miles per hour, but these appear to be taking their time. Photo by Allen Beyer. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 12/27/15.
A perfect winter morning at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This gorgeous shot was taken at the park’s Sparks Lane in Cades Cove. Photo by Christopher Ewing. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 12/23/15.
Fall color in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 10/19/15.
Quaking aspens provide beautiful scenery and a rich habitat for wildlife. Aspen, the most widely distributed tree in North America, are one of the few deciduous trees hearty enough to survive in a harsh environment of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. One of the most striking characteristics of the aspen is the beautiful splashes of fall color it adds to the mountainsides. This magical color change starts in early September and can last into October. Photo courtesy of Jacob W. Frank. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 10/22/15.
Mt. Moran, 12605′, 4th highest peak in the Teton Range, Grand Teton National Park, WY. The Skillet Glacier descends on the east face, seen here, with aspens in autumn in the foreground, as storm clouds gather in the distance. Grand Teton National Park is a must-see in the fall! Aspen tree leaves blaze mostly yellow and orange (and occasionally red) shades during autumn, creating a dramatic contrasting with the towering Teton Range in the background. Photo courtesy of Ed Cooper. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 10/17/15.
Zion National Parks The Narrows, in fall color. Photo by Evan Kokoska. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 10/20/15.
Rocky Mountain National Park in the fall. Picture by Erik Stensland. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 9/14/15.
Located at the crossroads of the Cascade, Klamath, and Siskiyou mountain ranges, Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in Oregon has long been recognized for its ecological importance. The convergence of three geologically distinct mountain ranges resulted in an area with remarkable biological diversity. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail meanders 19 miles through the monument, offering challenging hikes with stunning views. Photo by Bob Wick. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 9/15/15.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska is the largest national park in the U.S. Four mountain ranges run through it, with nine of the 16 highest peaks in the country. Its Malaspina glacier is bigger than the state of Rhode Island and a diverse array of wildlife thrives in habitats from the mountains to the coast. At this time of year, the park is losing over five minutes of sunlight each day and autumn has already arrived. Enjoy these fall colors. They won’t last long. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 9/16/15.
Summer sunsets at Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska are truly special. Kent Miller snapped this dream-like photo of a moose walking along Reflection Pond. In the background, the top of Denali is illuminated by the setting sun at midnight. Photo by Kent Miller, National Park Service. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 7/23/15.
A visit to Bering Land Bridge National Preserve can feel like traveling back in time. The Bering Land Bridge provided a pathway for plants, animals and people to cross from the old world to new. Wildlife like the muskox remind us of our ancestors and how geography has shaped humankind. These iconic herbivores sport curved horns and can weigh between 400-800 pounds. Although their populations have fluctuated over the last century, today they number around 3,800 in the state of Alaska. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 8/31/15.
A trail camera got this shot of a wolf pack in California … the first pack seen in the Golden State in nearly a century! Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 8/21/15.
Bugling elk at Rocky Mountain National Park. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 9/4/15.
With mountains shaped by volcanic fire and glacial ice, Handies Peak Wilderness Study Area in Colorado offers an otherworldly landscape. Multi-colored rock strata, diverse vegetation and quick flowing streams evoke a fairytale beauty begging to be explored. Photo by Bob Wick. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 8/30/15.
Glacier National Park in Montana never disappoints. The view from Mount Oberlin. Photo by Tim Rains, National Park Service. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 8/27/15.
Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. Posted on Twitter by the US Department of the Interior, 8/30/15. Photo by Arianna Grainey. See her website, Ariannagrainey.smugmug.com .
A trip to Alaska wouldn’t be complete without seeing mountains, glaciers and gorgeous wildflowers. Kenai Fjords National Park has all three. The park sits at the edge of the North Pacific Ocean, where storm patterns develop and feed a land of ice. The Harding Icefield crowns the park and is the source of at least 38 glaciers that flow over the land, sculpting as they go. Pictured here is a view of the Harding Icefield with wildflowers in full bloom. Photo by Chandra Sekhar Gantha. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 9/1/15.
Rocky Mountain National Park. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 9/4/15.
