Our World, My World

Happy Monday, 

Our world and my world has not been normal for over a year now. It would be nice to have everything feel normal again.  This week, I am looking forward to having President Biden in office. I am hoping and praying for peaceful times in our country. We may not agree on politics, but we can be respectful and kind to everyone. My post this week is on some of my favorite national parks, since we have not traveled due to COVID these images are from my archives. 

One of my favorite parks is Yellowstone, the scenery and wildlife is just amazing.  The scenic drives in these parks, both Yellowstone and the Tetons in Wyoming are beautiful. 

Grand Prismatic, largest hot spring in Yellowstone. It is the third largest hot spring in the world.  

Various birds seen in the Yellowstone and Tetons National Parks.

Unidentified Hummingbird, Cinnamon Teal, Magpie,
Trumpeter Swan, Cedar Waxwing, Dusky Grouse,
female Mountain Bluebird, Osprey, White Pelican.

Yellowstone's Canyon...  "The best thing about memories is making them."

Glacier National Park in Montana, I am guessing the top left is the Swiftcurrent Lake, we stayed nearby, the Running Eagle Falls or also nicknamed Trick Falls. Lower left the Beargrass looked pretty and bottom right is near Logan Pass Visitor Center. 

Going to the Sun, a very scenic drive in Glacier National Park.   This park road was a hair-raising drive for me.  We saw some Mountain Goats crossing this road, definitely keep your eyes on the road while driving.  

A view of Glacier National Park in Montana. 

Scenic view of  the Grand Canyon National Park.  

"A good life is a collection of happy memories."

Grand Canyon and Colorado River

Arches National Park, the various rock formations all had names, if only I could remember them all.  The top left could be the Balance Rock.  I do remember the bottom left are the Three Sisters and the bottom right is the Landscape Arch. 

Arches NP, Landscape Arch is the longest stone span. It stretches 306 feet and is only 11 feet thick at it's center.

"Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints."

Arches NP, Balance Rock.  "We take photos as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone."

"Never let your memories be greater than your dreams."

We are looking forward to the days when we feel safe to travel and take some road trips. My dream is to visit all of our National Parks.  Our world is beautiful and our country has some of the greatest National Parks to visit.  These are just of few of the National Parks that hubby and I have visited. Some parks we visited twice, my favorites are Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Grand Canyon, Bryce and  Zion. 

Hubby and I continue to be happy and healthy, I hope everyone is doing well too. 

Wear your mask and keep your distance!   

What's happening in your corner of the world? Please check out and visit the following memes and links. I hope to see you there. 

 
Thanks to Angie the host of  Mosaic Monday

Thanks to LadyFi  the host of Our World Tuesday! 

Thanks for visiting and commenting, have a happy day and a great new week!

Saturday's Critters #357

Welcome to Saturday's Critters!

Hello and happy Saturday!




If you love all God's creatures like I do and also like to blog about them and take critter photos this is where you can share your critter post. Link up your post and share your critters, join in with my critter party ! You can share any kind of critters the real ones, pretend ones, statues and paintings, a new or old post!

I wanted to finish my little series on the National Wildlife Refuges, my last two post show  wildlife refuges from around the country.  When the wildlife refuges were started they were a place for the migratory birds to rest and some to nest. Our current administration has opened more federal land for hunting. I can only assume once a species is gone, they will look for something else to hunt?  I am not against hunting completely, only that there should be limits. 

 

1.  Hubby and I traveled from Salt Lake City to the Tetons NP during two separate trips. One trip we stopped and visited the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.  Below are some of the birds we saw: Black-necked Stilt, Tree Swallow, Mountain Bluebird, White-faced Ibis, Yellow-headed Blackbird and the  Meadowlark. The Bear River flows into the Great Salt Lake.

 

 

Click on images for larger viewing..

 

 2. In Virginia we have visited three of the National Wildlife Refuges. The first one is Back Bay NWR near Virginia Beach Virginia. Original post is here Back Bay NWR. 

Below a Cardinal, Redwing Blackbird, Yellow Rump Warbler, Eastern Phoebe, Horned Grebe, Gull, Northern Gannet, Brown Pelican, DC Cormorants.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, one of my favorite refuges to visit. Original post seen here: Chincoteague NWR

Lighthouse, Little Blue Heron, Peregrine Falcon, ponies, Cattle Egret, Bald Eagle, Great Egret, Brown Pelican, Black Skimmers, Snowy Egrets, Tree Swallows, Northern Shoveler and American Oystercatcher.
 

4.  Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Original post seen here Great Dismal Swamp NWR. 

Turtles, Swallowtail Butterfly, Brown-Headed Cowbird, American Coot, Grackle, Killdeer, Belted Kingfisher and another  turtle.

 

 

 

 

5. We have been to three of the National Wildlife Refuges in the state of Washington, my favorite was Billy Frank Nisqually NWR near Olympia Washington. Original post seen here Nisqually NWR.

 

 Seen below, the boardwalk, Hooded Merganser, Gadwall, GB Heron with gulls, Song Sparrow, Cormorants, Barn Swallow Tree Swallow, Seal, Canada Geese and the twin barns.

 

6.  Dungeness NWR  in Sequim Washington.  We have been to this refuge a few times. It is another one of my favorite places. Original post seen here Dungeness NWR.

 

Seen below, the trail at Dungeness NWR, Rough Skinned Newt, the Dungeness Spit, Driftwood, Black Oystercatchers, Cormorants and Mergansers.

7. Grays Harbor NWR in or near Hoquiam Washington . Original post seen here Grays Harbor NWR. 

Seen below, views of the wetlands, trail, sparrow and ducks.

 

 

 

 

8. National Elk Refuge in Wyoming not far from Jackson Hole. 

 

 Seen below are the Elk,  various swallows on fence , Violet Green Swallow, Cinnamon Teal, boardwalk trail, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Northern Shoveler and Canada Geese.

 

 

 

President Theodore Roosevelt designated the first national wildlife refuge, it was the Pelican Island NWR in Florida. The NWR is a system of public land set aside to conserve fish, wildlife and plants. Land set aside for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. Enable the public enjoyment of these conservation lands. 


Thanks to all my visitors and for all the wonderful comments. Stop back to see any replies to your comments. I appreciate everyone who loves critters and has linked up their critter post.


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Also visit:  I'd-Rather-B-Birdin. Thanks to the host Anni.