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

Birthday Butterflies, Toads, & Jelly at California Academy of Sciences San Francisco 3/16

Turning the big 5-0 is not something I have dreaded or had any sort of mid-life crisis about.  I mean...I do feel hella old now.  Which is completely new to me since I've never felt old before, but I'm going to blame that more on what a rough year this one has been and the health problems I've had rather than just...you know...being old.

But just as turning 50 wasn't really something to fear, I really didn't want to exactly CELEBRATE it either!  I'm sure you know what I mean.  lol  So when my daughter and sister asked what I was planning for my birthday, I said that I would love to go to San Francisco while Adrienne was home on Spring Break.  I wanted to visit a museum and/or do something outdoors (of course).

We settled on the amazing California Academy of Sciences which fits both bills.  Adrienne and I had never been, but Rose had so she acted as our tour guide.  First thing we saw walking in the entry is a gigantic T-Rex skeleton.

I was so excited to get to the Rainforest, but there were many cool things to see on the way.  A fan favorite at every aquarium caught our attention and we made out way to a clear pool filled with rays and sharks.

If you're into amphibians, CalAcademy is the place for you!

They have various terrariums and aquariums set up here and there so there is always something fascinating and beautiful to see.

After oooing and aaahing at the various species, we finally entered the Rainforest.  The difference in atmosphere is felt immediately.  The air is much hotter and very humid of course.  You really get the sense of being under a rainforest canopy as you enter at ground level.  Your senses are alight with visions of butterflies, songs of birds, and the smell of plants and water.

Much to my disappointment, it was hard to get a clear picture of the birds flitting in the trees.

The beautiful bromeliads were another story, making brilliant splashes of color against a background of green.

As did the gorgeous and varied butterflies!

Looking down from the pathways of the rainforest, you can see into the aquarium below with it's wild-looking creatures.

Look out for butterflies!!

Once you reach the top of the rainforest, there are more terrariums with cool creatures.

When you're ready to depart, you must check yourself carefully for any hitchhiking butterflies and then board the elevator which stops only at the bottom.  The mirrored walls assist you with further checks for wannabe escapees; once you're all clear, you exit the room and step right into the  underwater beauty of the deep ocean.

There you tour the California coast and all it's creatures.  Of course there is a wonderful hands-on tidepool exhibit where I couldn't resist spending some time learning about the amazing creatures.

And of course, there are jellyfish.  I love jellies.  This is the beautiful Man O' War.

And I believe these are Moon jellyfish.

I stood and watched this tank for quite awhile.  It's so soothing. I could seriously spend all day watching these.

We made our way back upstairs (with a brief stop to look at the top of the lagoons)

And a stop in the Naturalist Center where Adrienne and I had a wonderful chat with a curator about nature birds and Rose made a paper butterfly. 

Then we hit the living rooftop.  This is the DeYoung Museum which sits just across the street. 

Then, it was time for out last stop of the day... The African Hall to watch their colony of African Penguins at feeding time.  They are adorable and amazing. 

All in all, it was a wonderful and education time spent with family.  I would highly recommend this museum and will definitely be returning there in the future!

xoxo

Nikon D3000