These are Belding’s ground squirrels – sometimes called pot gut. They live on mountains in western United States. This pair was photographed by Jim Leonard at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. So, what do you think they are saying?
There have been some beautiful sunrises and sunsets over the past few days in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These times also happen to be the best times to see wildlife, such as white-tailed deer, in Cades Cove.
Photo: Sunset in Cades Cove by Kristina Plaas, © 2014 All Rights Reserved.
Most people know Redwood National Park in California as home to the tallest trees on Earth. But the parks also protect vast prairies, oak woodlands, wild riverways, and nearly 40 miles of pristine coastline, all supporting a rich mosaic of wildlife diversity and cultural traditions. Together, the National Park Service and California State Parks manage these lands for the inspiration, enjoyment, and education of all people.
Photo: Jessica Watz - www.sharetheexperience.org
The view from Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park was not too bad last Friday.
Photo: National Park Service
As spring grows ever-stronger, and snowfall makes way for rain at higher and higher elevations in the mountains, the Cascade Mountains begin to truly live up to their name. Mount Rainier National Park contains hundreds of waterfalls, from tiny seasonal streamlets that curtain the roadside cliffs on the way up to Paradise, to the massive thundering cataracts that plunge off the upper mountain. This is one of my favorites: Silver Falls, a short hike above Ohanapecosh in the southeast corner of the park, photographed in July of last year by Jeff Moore.
Can you see the Milky Way from your backyard? Death Valley’s dark night skies let you experience the sky as your great grandparents saw it from their backyard.
Photo: Dan Duriscoe
Happy 165th birthday to the Department of the Interior! On March 3, 1849, President Polk signed the legislation into law creating the department.
Today, the Department manages the Nation’s public lands and minerals including providing access to public lands and the Outer Continental Shelf, for renewable and conventional energy; is the steward of 20% of the Nations lands, including national parks, national wildlife refuges, and the public lands; is the largest supplier and manager of water in the 17 western states and a supplier of hydropower energy; and upholds federal trusts to Indian Tribes and Alaska Natives. It is responsible for migratory wildlife conservation; historic preservation; endangered species conservation; surface-mined lands protection and restoration; mapping, geological, hydrological, biologic science for the Nation and financial and technical assistance for the Insular Areas.
To learn more about the Department, click here.
Photo of Bryce Canyon National Park by Kuang-Yu Jen
While cold temperatures are dominating most of North America, Everglades National Park is blissfully located in a sub tropical environment. Have you planned your winter vacation? Maybe a 70'F sunset in Flamingo should be on your itinerary!
Photo: National Park Service
This magical scene was shot near the Carson River north of Fallon, Nevada. We just love the colors!
Photo by Dennis Doyle
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