There are moments in nature that stay with you forever.
The kind of moments that make your heart race, bring tears to your eyes, and leave you speechless.
At the end of May, I spent a week exploring Yellowstone National Park. Every morning began long before sunrise. Every day was filled with miles of driving, unexpected wildlife encounters, and countless reminders of God's incredible creativity.
By the end of the trip, I had documented 26 different species.
Some encounters lasted only a few seconds.
Others kept me standing in the same spot for over an hour.
Each one reminded me why I love wildlife photography and why I believe God's fingerprints can be found throughout His creation.
These are the wildlife encounters I'll never forget.
Before arriving in Yellowstone, I had one simple wish.
I wanted to see babies.
Baby bears, baby birds, baby bison—it didn't matter. There is something about watching young animals that fills my heart with joy. Their curiosity, the way their parents care for them, and the lessons they learn remind me of the love and care God has woven into His creation.
Looking back now, I realize the Lord answered that little prayer over and over again.
Everywhere I turned, He placed another family in front of me.
A Sleeping Giant
On our first afternoon in Yellowstone, we were driving to Cody when I noticed a crowd gathered along the roadside.
In Yellowstone, that's usually a good sign.
I found a place to park and looked toward a tiny creek.
There, stretched out in the cool grass, was a grizzly bear taking an afternoon nap.
At first, all we could see was its bum.
So we waited.
The bear seemed perfectly content, lying beside the creek on a warm afternoon. Then, slowly, it slid onto its belly and let the cold water cool its fur before standing up.
The moment it rose to its feet, goosebumps covered my arms.
I had never realized just how massive a grizzly truly is.
Yet despite its size, it moved with such grace.
Seeing its gentle face for the first time brought tears to my eyes.
I stood there surrounded by strangers, but when I looked through my camera, it felt as though it was just the bear and me.
Eventually, it disappeared into the woods without making a sound.
We all knew we had witnessed something special.
The Sweet Side of Ravens
One of my favorite moments happened when I wasn't even looking for wildlife.
We had stopped simply to admire the scenery.
Then I noticed two ravens flying back and forth to a cliff.
Curious, I grabbed my camera.
Hidden among the rocks were three hungry chicks.
For several minutes I watched the parents work together.
One searched for food while the other stayed close to the nest.
Then they switched.
Again and again.
When most people think of ravens, they imagine dark, mysterious birds.
I saw loving parents.
One of my favorite photographs from the trip shows a raven gently checking on its chicks.
Before leaving, I thanked the Lord for allowing me to witness such a tender moment.
The Hardworking Ospreys
Lamar Valley is one of the best places in Yellowstone to watch wildlife.
As soon as I arrived, I spotted a huge osprey nest perched high on a dead tree.
The parents never stopped working.
One remained on the nest protecting the chicks while the other searched for fish.
Then they traded places.
Watching them reminded me how much sacrifice goes into raising a family.
God designed every creature with exactly what it needs.
The Red Dogs of Yellowstone
Yellowstone is famous for its bison.
They are everywhere.
Along the roads.
In the valleys.
Crossing rivers.
Standing in the middle of traffic.
But my favorite bison weren't the adults.
They were the babies.
Baby bison are called "red dogs" because of their rusty-orange coats.
Seeing them brought a huge smile to my face because one of the things I had hoped for on this trip was to see babies.
The Lord certainly provided.
I spent over an hour watching the calves stay close to their mothers, run through the herd, and explore the world around them.
One moment especially touched my heart.
A mother gently nudged her calf and lovingly cared for it.
Watching that quiet interaction reminded me that God's love is reflected throughout His creation. Whether it's a mother caring for her child or a bison protecting her calf, His design is beautiful.
A Family Lesson From the Sandhill Cranes
As we made our way out of Lamar Valley, the Lord gave me one more unforgettable gift.
A pair of sandhill cranes were teaching their colt what to eat.
I watched as the tiny chick ran back and forth between its parents. They patiently pecked at the ground, showing it where to look for food. Every time they found something, the little one hurried over and copied exactly what they were doing.
It was one of the sweetest family moments I witnessed during the entire trip.
Before arriving in Yellowstone, I had one simple hope.
I wanted to see babies.
There is something about watching young animals learn, grow, and depend on their parents that fills my heart with joy. Through them, I see God's care reflected in such a beautiful way.
And over and over again, Jesus answered that little desire.
He let me watch baby bison stay close to their mothers.
He showed me raven chicks waiting patiently in their nest.
He introduced me to young ospreys being cared for by devoted parents.
Now, here in Lamar Valley, He placed a tiny sandhill crane colt right in front of me.
I came to Yellowstone hoping to experience God's creation.
I wanted to know Him better through the natural world.
Everywhere I looked, He revealed a little more of Himself—not only through the incredible wildlife and breathtaking landscapes, but through the quiet moments I never could have planned.
Lamar Valley was full of amazing animals.
But what I remember most is the care.
Parents protecting their young.
Families staying together.
New life flourishing all around me.
And through it all, I could clearly see the fingerprints of God.
Swimming Against the Current
One of the species I most wanted to see was the harlequin duck.
When we reached LeHardy Rapids, I finally found them.
I was amazed.
These little ducks spend their lives swimming through rushing water that looked impossible to navigate.
They dove beneath the rapids.
They disappeared.
Then they popped back up as if nothing had happened.
As a swimmer, I couldn't help but admire them.
As a photographer, I couldn't stop smiling.
Watching them reminded me that God equips each one of us for the life He calls us to live.
The rapids looked dangerous to me.
To the harlequin ducks, they were simply home.
A Mother's Wings
After two days of rain, I stopped at the Mud Volcano area, hoping the weather would improve.
Instead of rushing to the geothermal features, I noticed movement on the ground.
A killdeer.
As I looked closer, I saw tiny chicks tucked safely beneath their mother's wings.
Every few moments, the little ones would peek out from under her feathers before running around to explore their surroundings.
Then, at the slightest sign of danger, they hurried right back underneath her.
It was one of the sweetest moments of the trip.
Home looks different for every creature God created.
For these tiny birds, home was beneath their mother's wings in the middle of one of the harshest landscapes in Yellowstone.
Watching them reminded me of the comfort and protection we find in our Heavenly Father.
Just as those chicks trusted their mother completely, we can trust the Lord to shelter and care for us.
A Gift After the Rain
For two days, Yellowstone greeted us with rain.
The skies stayed gray.
The roads were wet.
The wildlife seemed harder to find.
Then, on our way to Old Faithful, everything changed.
As I drove through a forest, I noticed a small opening in the trees.
There it was.
A bald eagle.
Perched so close to the road it almost didn't seem real.
My heart started racing.
I quickly grabbed my camera, convinced it would fly away before I was ready.
But it didn't.
It stayed.
Long enough for me to photograph it.
Long enough for me to simply admire it.
The soft light after the rain made the scene even more beautiful.
Its white head seemed to glow against the dark trees.
Standing there, I thanked God.
Not just for the eagle.
But for allowing me to be there to witness such an incredible moment.
Some gifts can't be planned.
They can only be received with gratitude.
More Than Wildlife
I went to Yellowstone hoping to photograph wildlife.
Secretly, I also hoped to see babies.
There is something about watching young animals discover the world that fills my heart with joy. Their curiosity, the way their parents protect them, and the love they share remind me of our Heavenly Father.
The Lord answered that simple desire again and again.
He let me watch baby bison run beside their mothers.
He introduced me to baby ravens waiting patiently for their next meal.
He showed me osprey parents tirelessly caring for their chicks.
He let me witness a tiny sandhill crane colt learning from its parents.
He tucked little killdeer chicks safely beneath their mother's wings right in front of me.
Every encounter was a reminder that God's creation is full of beauty, purpose, and love.
I came home with memory cards full of photographs.
But more importantly, I came home with a heart full of gratitude.
The wildlife was incredible.
The landscapes were breathtaking.
But what I'll remember most is how God used every encounter to reveal a little more of Himself.
Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to witness Your creation and for reminding me that every creature, from the mighty grizzly to the tiniest chick, reflects the work of Your hands.
Watch the Adventure
We made a YouTube video about this unforgettable week in Yellowstone, and I'd love for you to come along on the journey.
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