Amazing Art in Grand Tetons National Park - National Museum of Wildlife Art

When you think of Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks, the first and probably last thing you think of is nature, animals, and geysers.  But have you ever thought of art?  

I always think of nature and animals AS art, but I didn't expect to find an actual art museum in Grand Tetons National Park.  But there is one!  AND it's about nature so it totally makes sense. 

Before we head out to look at the amazing outdoor sculpture garden at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, be sure to check out my previous posts of gorgeous Grand Tetons NP and all it has to offer!

Click here!

And here!

Here too!

Definitely Here!

Okay, now that you're caught up, LET'S GOOOOO!  Back to Jackson, Wyoming - home of the National Museum of Wildlife!

I confess that, due to time constraints, I didn't go inside the museum.  But I spent a good hour wandering around outside on the sculpture walk where the art and views are just so awesome!  The museum is up on the side of a hill and the art is scattered all around the hillside. 

That's my Hina Hina (my car's name) to the left.  :-)  And it's only fair for Bison to take center stage as you're walking to the Museum from your car!

And then you begin your walk of discovery!  With the beautiful Wapiti! Which means Elk.  :-)  I absolutely loved the cloud-filled sky with all this beautiful art.  I really felt like the animals were coming alive as I watched. 

Another view of the bison sculpture.  Sorry about the butthole angle but it's nature! 

And now I feel like a 12 year old. :( 

And wow!  Right in  the middle of the hill was a furry friend!  A Yellow-bellied Marmot, just having a stroll and chewing some grass. 

Absolutely love these Spirit Totem sculptures.  Each one had it's own inspiration and meaning.  

This one was titled "Dawn" - and it called to me not only with it's shape but also because that's part of my daughter's name.  ;) 

This is one of my favorite shots of the sculptures (along with the moose and mountain goat).  I love birds and this sculpture is so graceful!  And the placement on the slope with the clouds visible though it's eye just made it come to life for me. 

Funny story about my Marmot friend. 

After I walked to the end of the trail up top, I headed back towards the museum and saw a couple gathered near where I had seen the marmot, but just downhill.  As I approached the sheep sculptures which are on the top of the hill just above where I saw the marmot, I saw a couple with their phones out excitingly oohing and awing while trying to lean in for a shot.

The marmot wasn't too happy about this.  They were about halfway down the hillside and the marmot began making his way away from the couple and towards me.  He hesitated a bit but I just kept still and spoke softly to reassure him and not startle him.  He kept coming until he was about 3 feet below where I stood on the sidewalk.

He slowly turned around so his back was to me while simultaneously keeping an eye on me.  Then he backed into a burrow until just his head was out - watching me all the time.  

I kept murmuring reassurances to him and he stopped with just his head out.  Then he watched me for about 20 seconds, then came back out, parked himself back where I had originally saw him (about 5 feet away) and resumed his meal of grass and insects.  

So cute!  This time I could actually see his bushy red tail!

I left him peacefully chewing and continued my walk. 

This is sad part of the exhibit.  These sculptures represent 5 bird species of North America that have gone extinct. 

And with one last shot of the eagle, it was time for me to get back on the road.  

Normally I like to change some things to black and white but with the bright blue sky and amazing clouds I just couldn't bring myself to do it this time.  

I think I missed a few of the outdoor sculptures, but I believe there are some temporary ones as well, so I'm not sure.  But I will be back anyway to see the inside and will be sure to walk the entire hillside art trail next time!

But now, it was time to head up the road to Yellowstone so I can check into Madison Campground before dark.  And I still hadn't been through a few areas of Tetons NP so who knows how many times I'll want to stop! lol  That's the thing with my road trips...I have a plan, but I also don't completely go according to plan.  And that's okay!

So of course I had to take one last shot of the Teton Range from Jackson Hole

As I was heading toward Colter Bay I saw a beautiful tawny fox trotting through a gorgeous meadow!  I had to find a safe space to flip the car around and by the time I got back, there was another guy pulled out with a big camera out.  

And the fox was gone.  lol  He had kind of startled it by taking photos of it and it had turned around and went back into the forest.  So he packed up and left.  I sat in my car for a bit, as I had a feeling that the fox had outfoxed us.  

I was right!  After about 5 minutes, the gorgeous fox crossed the road a bit further up and trotted up the opposing hillside.  lol!  Love it!  I didn't get a photo but I did get to see how a fox out thinks two photographers!

After that, I pulled into Colter Bay.  It's pretty crazy! It's really developed with stores, laundry, campground, etc. 

There is also a swim beach, which was amazing!  It was too cold to be swimming but I was so happy to see a dad and his son on the beach.  I love this photo!  And I'm so glad the kid was wearing red!

This was my last view of the Teton Range during this visit.  Jackson Lake with the mountains fading into the distance was a truly impressive sight!

I found another grass-chewing friend at Colter Bay - this Uinta Ground Squirrel

Next stop Yellowstone!!

xoxo

Nikon D600 & D7200

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge Trip Number Two!!

A bird came down the walk:

He did not know I saw

He bit an angle worm in halves

And ate the follow raw.

~~Emily Dickinson

It is in the hopes of seeing birds and more of God's creatures that I often feel strongly drawn to get outdoors and go.  Preferably somewhere I can drive and see different sights and sounds than I see every day in Sacramento.  

I feel so blessed to have the National Wildlife Refuges to soothe my soul, fulfill my passions for nature, wildlife, and birds, educate my mind, and provide me with countless opportunities to take photos.

And the Klamath Basin complex is just absolutely one of the best.  

In the last post, I saw coyotes, bald and golden eagles, and hawks galore!  And the last time I was there, I had close up encounters with eagles, ducks, and even a bobcat eating breakfast!

Next I was headed to Tule Lake, just down the road.  The last time I was there, it was a little later towards Spring and I saw some amazing grebes, ducks, and geese galore!   This time, I wasn't sure what to expect since it was still technically winter.  

The sky was still amazing!

The first bird I saw was a Great Blue Heron on a telephone pole. 

And another one on this farmer thingie.  

I was a little disappointed that the lake wasn't covered with birds as it had been in my last visit.  But the lake itself was even more beautiful. And I do love the opportunity to get some good landscape shots!

Practically mid-shot, one of the heron's flew alongside the lake.  I'm so glad I got a half-decent shot!

And Oh. My. Goodness.  I love weird things.  Beautiful, weird things like these Hooded Mergansers which I had never seen before!

Then on my way back home, I had to literally stop in the road to let an entire herd of deer cross in front of me!

They were bound and determined to get to these pine trees in someone's yard.  Their butts peaking out were so cute!

I wasn't the only one stopped for a few minutes.  But I don't think either of us were complaining since we had such a nice, fun view. 

Some were obviously youngsters and they were especially cute.  

They all looked so velvety and gorgeous.  

It was funny, but the stream of deer seemed neverending! About 15 had crossed the road and there were more in the field on the other side.  They didn't seem in a hurry though, so I moved along myself. 

I stopped by the Visitor Center where I had seen the bobcat the year before.  No bobcats this year, but I did see this cute ground squirrel.  

And then, just as I was pulling out of the parking lot, I had the feeling of being watched.  I looked around and then up.  And saw that I was indeed the target of a pair of baleful eyes!

Did I say baleful?  I meant to say beautiful! A big and beautiful Great-horned Owl!

I thought I couldn't possibly be more blessed on this trip.  But I couldn't be more wrong.  I stopped at the vista point beside Lower Klamath to take one more photo of Mt. Shasta. 

And in the farmer's field on the other side of the road, I saw many, many birds apparently full from their morning meals and enjoying the sunlight!

Four Bald Eagles and countless Ravens and Hawks. 

And then they started swirling like an avian tornado!

In this next shot I count at least five Bald Eagles, a Golden Eagle, and at least seven Ravens. 

Here's another Golden.  Or they could be juvenile Baldies.  

So incredible!!  These birds are so huge and so powerful.  To see them in nature, up close and personal, is such a dream. I need to start planning another trip up there.  And I still need to get to the Upper Klamath!  Each time I've gone, the Upper Klamath had too much snow on the ground for my little car to navigate.  Maybe next year.  :)

xoxo

Nikon D3300