Wildlife of Yellowstone

Wildlife of Yellowstone

Though we love a gorgeous landscape as much as the next person, our favorite nature shots involve animals. Yellowstone National Park teems with wildlife year-round, and we were fortunate to see a number of interesting animals during our time there.

See our favorite Yellowstone wildlife below!

---

Bison / American Buffalo

American Buffalo in Yellowstone National Park

By far, our favorite animal in Yellowstone, one we had never seen before, was the bison, and we saw hundreds and hundreds of them.

American Bison in Yellowstone

We watched a number of them, including several youngsters, cross the river.

Sleepy Buffalo in Yellowstone

This fella was sleepy! I tried for several minutes to get a photo of him with his eyes open, and this was as close as I got. After watching him for several minutes, we continued on and turned around at the next available opportunity. When we drove past him again, he was lying down, apparently bedding down there on the side of the road for the night.

Running Buffalo in Yellowstone

Although they typically move in a slow, lumbering manner, when they want to move, they do! This guy was thundering up a hill at top speed. As he came close to the top, where dozens of people were standing around, binoculars and cameras in hand, watching the herd below, he decided that perhaps he didn't really want to go that way after all, and he stopped and headed a different direction.

---

Ravens

Ravens in Yellowstone

The ravens of Yellowstone are huge. I had no idea they were this big. Though ravens can be seen throughout Yellowstone, these two watched us during the entirety of our lunch, begging for handouts.

"Nevermore."

---

Clark's Nutcracker

Clark's Nutcracker in Yellowstone

I happened to notice movement out of the corner of my eye and spotted this busy bird. We were unable to identify him for quite some time, but with a little bit of persistence, I finally identified him as a Clark's Nutcracker.

---

Osprey

Osprey Tree Topper

We were fortunate to spot several Ospreys as we explored Yellowstone. This one posed for me for 30 seconds or so, allowing me get close enough to witness his colors and impressive size.

---

Wildlife of Yellowstone

We also saw a number of water birds on Yellowstone Lake and other bodies of water, though not close enough to get great photos of them, as well as sparrows and magpies. The next time we return to Yellowstone, we hope to spot a wolf, as well as a grizzly and a black bear.

If Not Now, When?