The 'Never Summer' Mountain Range in Colorado

Clouds above the Never Summer Range, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

The Never Summer Range of the Rocky Mountains forms a part of the Continental Divide.  This mountain range is situated along the northwest border of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Many of the peaks in this range rise to elevations of well over 12,000 feet.  Although the photo was taken in late June, many patches of snow remain on the slopes and peaks.

I took this photo from the Medicine Bow Curve overlook along Trail Ridge Road (US Highway 34) in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Big Ol' Bison in Yellowstone National Park

American Bison (Bison bison), Yellowstone National Park

Pretty formidable-looking critter for a vegetarian, isn't he?  Hard to believe he survives and thrives on a diet composed mainly of grasses.

I photographed this fine male specimen hanging out in a meadow near the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

Wild Elderberry - Rocky Mountain National Park

Wild Elderberry flowers (Sambucus sp.)

These are the flowers on a wild Elderberry bush.  By the end of summer, each little flower on the cluster will have transformed into a berry.  The berry clusters will likely be fed upon by Deer, Elk, and Bears.

The photo above is a close-up of an Elderberry flower cluster.  Below is a photo of the dense bush on which they grow.  I photographed this elderberry bush alongside a trail near Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

Wild Elderberry bush in flower

Hallett Peak and Tyndall Glacier in Rocky Mountain National Park

Hallett Peak and Tyndall Glacier, Rocky Mountain National Park

Hallett Peak is one of the summits along the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.  The peak summit is about 12,720 feet (3,880 meters) above sea level.  This is a view of Hallett Peak from Sprague Lake.

In a cirque to the north of Hallett Peak (and to the right of the peak in the photo above) is the Tyndall Glacier.  The small glacier is on the eastern side of the Continental Divide.  An ice and rock glacier, the Tyndall -- like most glaciers these days -- is in retreat.

Click her for more information about the glaciers in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Photos: Canada Geese in Rocky Mountain National Park

Canada Goose, giving me the eye

The scene: a grassy patch alongside a parking lot in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park.  The action: A pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) watching me as I watched them munching young spring-green shoots.  Above is a close up of the male goose keeping a wary eye on me as I moved in with my camera.  Below is his pretty mate.

It's not unusual to see this species here and there around Rocky Mountain National Park, but they seem to be more plentiful at this time of year.  I suppose some are permanent residents, while the greater numbers seen at certain times of the year probably are migrants enjoying a respite before continuing on their journeys.

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Sign: Bears frequent this area

I spotted this sign at a campground in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.  Obey the sign or you'll be fined -- unless the bears get you first!

Sign at a campground  in Rocky Mountain National Park