Lone Star Geyser

Today we took the hike to Lone Star Geyser in Yellowstone. Since we are Texas residents, (the Lone Star State), and have recently purchased a lot at Lone Star Corral, in Hondo, TX, it was something we were drawn to. The trail is 4.8 miles round trip, but even though it was a very warm day here, (mid 80's), it was enjoyable and relaxing. We had read that it erupts very regularly at about 3 hour intervals, but had no idea when it would happen. It was our lucky day, because just as we arrived we enjoyed a major, 40 foot high eruption that lasted almost a half hour. There were 8 others there with us to witness this, compared to the many hundreds we saw at Old Faithful the last time we went there.

The Lone Star Geyser

It was named the Lone Star because the nearest large geyser (Old Faithful) is 3 air miles away.

This geyser earned early fame because of it's large, colorful, sinter cone out in the middle of the forest.

As the major eruption gets towards the end, the water is all expelled and it goes into a powerful steam phase, which can be heard up to a mile away.

The geyser was not to be our only treat today. As we traveled through the park on our way to the hike we spotted this young eagle looking for some breakfast in the Madison River.

Young eagles don't get their white head feathers until they are 3 or 4 years old.

The first part of our walk followed the Firehole River.

A very large, colorful dragonfly we saw on the trail. It's amazing how thin and transparent the wings are.

This flower made us think of fireworks. The bee is just after the nectar.

More Wildlife in Yellowstone

Another trip into the National Park. One never knows what wonders await around the next bend.

Wildflowers near Dunraven Pass

A lone trumpeter swan on floating Island Lake

We usually see them in pairs. We wonder what happened to it's mate.

We saw another cinnamon black bear this day. Like the last one we saw, it was eating wildflowers.

The bear would push the flower stalks down with it's front paw so it could eat the flowers.

Sawtell Peak 2008

This year we visited Sawtell Peak with friends George and Gail. It was a wonderful day. For additional scenes visit last year's post.

Our truck at the top with the Grand Tetons in the background.

Scene from the top. We had a 360 degree view.

Female mountain bluebird.

This is the male of the pair.

We saw them entering a small hole in the side of one of the buildings, where they had a nest.

A close up view of flowers at the top.