“Rivers are the old roads, as are songs, to traverse memory.” - Joy Harjo

Sunrise light warms the Painted Wall at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park near Montrose, Colorado. 

Photo by Ryan McGinely (www.sharetheexperience.org)

Each spring, the energetic and playful bison calves or “red dogs” join the herd. Standing out with their bright reddish-orange coats, their bursts of energy are magical moments. They fill the fields with awkward jumps, uncoordinated sprints, and joyful reactions as they learn and grow. Pictured here is a newborn red dog with mom, just minutes old, fighting against a slight breeze in an attempt to hold itself up for the first time. Photo Yellowstone National Park by Taylor Albright (www.sharetheexperience.org).  

In a few short months, alpine wildflowers will be decorating the scene like this incredible shot of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. Capturing dawn’s early light means rising well before the body wants to, but you’re rewarded with extreme quiet and time to enjoy the sunrise. Recreate responsibly Photo courtesy of Nathaniel Wise.

When you’re known as “The Jewel of Lake Superior,” you have a lot to live up to.
Apostle Island National Lakeshore in Wisconsin features a combination of spectacular natural beauty and rich cultural history.  

The islands are a sacred homeland for the Ojibwe people who live throughout the Great Lakes region. According to their written and oral history, they are the original inhabitants of this area and consider Madeline Island an important part of their past and present day lives. The Ojibwe call Madeline Island “Moningwunakauning” or “Home of the golden-breasted woodpecker.” Photo by Michael DeWitt (www.sharetheexperience.org)

Known for its history, picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs, and the vast assortment of bird life that frequents the area, Dry Tortugas National Park is an isolated gem surrounded by a wilderness of ocean.  

Dry Tortugas lies at the farthest end of the Florida Keys. The colorful corals, sea grass, and reef fish that call this watery wonderland home, are some of the most vibrant in the world. Photo by National Park Service  

Is this an:

A. Short-tailed weasel
B. Ermine
C. Stoat  

If you answered all three, you win! Their names are interchangeable, but one thing remains the same, these pint-sized carnivores are highly resourceful, courageous, agile and excellent rodent control experts. Photo of stoat by National Park Service

Spring doesn’t mean a lack of snow in many parts of the country. With an annual average of 43 feet a year, Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is one of the snowiest places in the U.S. Snow may linger in the park until May and June even though the park’s official winter season is only through April. This shot is from Discovery Point and shows off the incredible grandeur of a snowy sunrise. Photo by Greg Nyquist (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Spending time along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia can feel like coming across a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Here’s to that feeling of luck and for the next few months bringing the verdant green forests to life. Photo courtesy of Benji Barnes.  

The Needles form the southeast corner of Canyonlands National Park, Utah and were named for the colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone that dominate the area. Remember to “follow the beaten path.” If you’re exploring public lands with a designated trail system, stay on the trail to focus your impacts. Photo courtesy Jacob W. Frank.

A rare winter scene from Congaree National Park in South Carolina gives a different perspective of the largest remaining tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in North America. The park’s boardwalks provide an exciting way to immerse yourself in this vital ecosystem. As you walk, you will discover Congaree’s cultural history and its natural beauty. The accessible boardwalk makes it a good place for wheelchairs, strollers and leashed pets. Photo by National Park Service.