Setting Our Sights on Yellowstone, part two

 While staying at Bakers Hole campground we encountered this beautiful black bear drinking from the Madison River... 

Yes, you read that right; this is a black bear. Black bears usually are seen in their dominate black color, but they also can be cinnamon or blond. This is the lightest color that I have personally ever witnessed...

We went north at Madison junction and headed towards Mammoth Hot Springs...

Mammoth Hot Springs is a surreal area and not to be missed if you are interested in the thermal features that Yellowstone is famous for...

A few miles further and one comes to a turn-out beside Floating Island Lake. There are usually birds here in good numbers. Among them are Grackles, Red-winged blackbirds and Yellow-headed Blackbirds...

and Cinnamon Teal...

and a family of Canada Geese...

If you visit in the spring, you might get to see one of the most unique looking chicks in the bird world...

A few pairs of American Coots nest here each spring. I always look forward to their antics and never miss an opportunity to see them...

Upon leaving Floating Island Lake one must be cautious because bears are frequently feeding near the road. Below is a cinnamon phase black bear...

and a black bear sow with a cub of the year...

Thanks for visiting, be well, and come back soon.