#PhotoBlog : Lumbini and Tilaurakot

Lumbini is believed to be the birth place of lord Buddha. Siddhartha Gautam was born in 623 B. C. in the garden of Lumbini. Lumbini is about 25 km west from Bhairahawa. However, the remains of the ancient palace is further west from Lumbini. It is located in Tilaurakot.

I travelled to these holy and ancient places with friends in June last year. This was my second visit-but-almost two decades apart. The first time was during my school days. We had a tradition of going educational tour from school.

Here are some photos I took during my second trip to Lumbini.

The eternal peace lamp and artificial water canal

The Mayadevi temple, pond, and Ashoka pillar

Another view of Mayadevi pond and Bodhi tree

There are many beautiful stupas & monasteries built by different countries in Lumbini.

Stupas and monasteries in Lumbini area

One of the monasteries

From the birth place of Buddha, lets tour around his ancient palace area- the Tilaurakot.

Remains of Tilaurakot palace area

The Elephant temple in the periphery of Tilaurakot

This is Jagadishpur lake close to Tilaurakot 

All photos taken by me. Ask me before you use them.

Wildlife of Chitwan National Park [photo blog]

Kingfisher

Chitwan National Park is the first national park of Nepal and a UNESCO world heritage site. This national park has about 700 species of wildlife including 68 species of mammals; more than 500 species of birds. 

In this post, I want to share with you some of the most commonly seen wildlife from this National Park-taken in June this year.

One horned Rhino (@Giri Photo 2016)

Langur Monkey

Peacocks (@Giri Photo 2016)

Sambar deer (@Giri Photo 2016)

Rhino horn (@Giri Photo 2016)

One of the four types of deer found in this park (@Giri Photo 2016)

Elephant Safari is popular here

This Rhino lost its horn-naturally? (@Giri Photo 2016)

Tortoise (@Giri Photo 2016)

Peacock

Wild boar (@Giri Photo 2016)

Crocodile

All photos taken by myself.

Trip to Mustang || Muktinath

We went to Muktinath, Mustang on June this year. Here are some photographs from the road trip.

Riverside landscape while traveling to Myagdi towards Mustang

We were traveling at the beginning of monsoon season. The road after we crossed Beni was not good and so was the journey. After some time we came across this big and beautiful waterfall known as Rupse Waterfall which I had never seen before in Nepal. And, it made our day.

Rupse Waterfall. This fall is close to the Kaligandaki gorge.

A typical high elevation landscape : looking downwards from Muktinath

The Muktinath bazar. It has some good hotels for overnight stay.

The famous Muktinath Temple at 3700 meter above sea level

108 dhara 

The holy ponds. Water is always freezing cold here.

Jharkot, a small town about 20min walking distance downhill from Muktinath. This town has a health post. 

एक पोका है बैनी

बुद्दएयरको २:१० बजेको उडानबाट पोखरा जानको लागी काठमान्डू अन्तराष्ट्रिय एयर्पोर्टको #KTM आन्तरिक टर्मिनलमा जहाजसम्म पुर्याउने बसमा चढेको थिए । बस दुइ पाइला हिडिसकेपछि एकजना पहेलो ज्याकेट लगाएको र संचार सेट बोकेको व्यक्तिले बस रोक्ने इसारा गर्यो । यसो पछाडी हेरेको, केहि यात्रु छुटेका रैछन, तिनैलाई बसमा चढाउन पर्ने रहेछ । कोहि ठुलै मान्छे (नेतै) पो छुटेछन कि जस्तो लाग्या थ्यो । छुटेका मध्ये एकजना सर्ट पाइण्ट र टाइ सहित खैरो कोट काधमा हाल्नेले थर्काउदै गरेको जस्तो देखिन्थ्यो । बोलेको त सुन्नेन तर हाम्लाई किन छोडेको, पख तलाई देखाइदिञ्छु भनेको हो कि जस्तो आभाष भयो मलाइ ।  करिब पचासको हाराहारीमा रहेका ति महानुभाबले फुर्तिफार्ती बसमा पनि देखाउदै थिए । उनिसंगै अलि जवान अर्का व्यक्ति पनि थिए ।

प्लेन चढियो र उढ्यो पनि । केहि बेर आफ्नै तालमा थिए, ति महानुभावलाई बिर्सेको थिए । प्लेनले डाडो काट्यो अनि बादल भित्र छिर्यो । पहिलो पटक डोमेस्टिक र सानो प्लेन चढ्दै थिए, अलि उत्सुकता र अलिकति डर पनि थ्यो । यात्रुहरु गफ सफमा ब्यस्त थिए । ठ्याक्कै मेरो पछाडीको सिटमापनि एकजनाले अर्कोलाइ खुब गफ दीराथ्यो । उसको (कोटवाला) गफ यस्ता थिए कि मेरो कान तेती तेस्री हाले। 

काठमान्डू एर्पोर्टमा बुद्ध एरको जहाज 

Best 5 places in Wyoming you must visit

Wyoming is a western US state. It is a truly wild west and famous for adventure. Plenty of open space and wildlife. Based on my experience while I was attending graduate school in Laramie, I suggest 10 places in Wyoming you should not miss to visit. I will miss these places.

Wind River area Wyoming by Basant Giri on 500px

1. Vedauwoo

Close to Laramie, the home of the University of Wyoming, Vedauwoo is famous for outdoor rock climbing-I never did though. This place has Sherman granite rocks, some of which are seen to be placed on top of other rocks very carefully.

I have been to Vedauwoo several times for picnic, camping and hiking specially in summer. In cold winter nights, we went there with chilling beer. White snow on ground and clear sky with stars supported us.

I needed no prior planning. I used to be ready for anytime whether it was an early morning or a late night, specially, when bored or frustrated with the lab experiments and classes.

You can also enjoy Curt Gowdy State park with some beautiful lakes for fishing. Also, you don't want to miss HappyJack recreational area during winter for snow sports. I specially enjoyed sledding. Lincoln monument (3.8 m tall on a 9.1 m pedestal) on the side of I 80  (at 8878 feet elevation) can be another attraction. We also enjoyed drinking beer on the other side of the monument over looking I -80 and Vedauwoo in both summer and winter nights.

2. Snow Range Mountains

I like mountains-no doubts. Snowy Range Mountains are part of the Rockies, just half an hour drive west of Laramie.

Snow sports in winter and fishing and hiking in Summer. Around this mountain, there are numerous high elevation lakes in which you can enjoy fishing-we had done hand fishing too.

snowies by Basant Giri on 500px

I have hiked to the top of this mountain (12013 ft). More than this, I liked the scenic highway (HW 130) that crosses the mountain: driving is this road was an unforgettable memory. Highest point on this road is at 10847 ft.

There is a small town called Centennial on the eastern side of the mountain and Saratoga on western side. Saratoga is famous for hot spring.

3. Grand Teton National Park (GTNP)

GTNP is bit far from Laramie-northwest part of Wyoming. You need at least four days to fully enjoy the place. This park includes a major section of Teton Range mountains, Jackson valley, and Jackson lake.

Jackson Lake and the Tetons by Basant Giri on 500px

You can mostly enjoy the natural-prestine scenery, wildlife-deers, bears, moose, hardworking beavers, marmots and hiking to the Teton Mountains peaks in addition to backcountry camping.

Mom Grizzly with cubs by Basant Giri on 500px

I had seen black and grizzly bears almost every time I visited this NP (3 times so far).Camping on the periphery of Jackson lake looking towards the Tetons was awesome. I had hiked twice up to the static peak (11,303 ft) via death valley trail which includes Phelps lake. During one of the trecks, enchanted black bears couple of times from very close.

Hike to the Static Peak

4. Yellowstone National Park (YSNP)
YSNP is the world's oldest (estd: 1872) national park. It is north of GTNP, comprises lakes, canyons, rivers, and mountain ranges and touches Idaho and Montana states.  

This NP is most famous for wildlife (Bison, bears, deer, elks, moose, wolf, coyote etc. to my interest) and its many geothermal features such as the Old Faithful-the biggest one. There are hundreds of other smaller geysers too.

Old Faithful geyser eruption by Basant Giri on 500px

You can enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, boating, sightseeing etc. We had camped close to Jackson lake and at Mamoth-close to north entrance-Montana. Making a 8-loop is very famous to cover almost every aspects of Yellowstone ecosystem. Yellowstone lake and upper falls of Yellowstone river are amazing.

5. Devils Tower National Monument

From northwest, lets move to northeast where you can see the Devils tower. Devils tower is an igneous intrusion which rises 1267 ft above the surrounding terrain in Black hills.

For me it looked like a Shiva Linga in Hinduism. If it was in south Asia, religious people would have made it a place of worship.

Devils Tower Monument

When you are traveling to this place, don't forget to incorporate the Mt. Rushmore near southwestern South Dakota in your visit where you can see a sculpture of five US presidents carved into the granite.

Wyoming-Utah-Nevada-California-Arizona-Wyoming loop

I was out of town for past 2 weeks or so. That’s why you have not seen any activities here. However, I have brought plenty of blogging material for you. Not sure how much time would allow me to write. In last week of July, I travelled to make a loop covering Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California. You can see my road trip on the photomap. I am not going to tell you everything  about the trip in this post rather I will highlight the route and major attractions, so that it may give you some idea if you are planning similar road trip on this area.

1. I picked up my friend and his wife from DIA and drove them to Laramie, Wyoming.
2. Our road trip began from Laramie, WY early morning. I took them via scenic highway 130. This highway takes through snowy mountain range which is close to Laramie and is one of the major attractions here. Windy, narrow road in the mountain. Can see beautiful lakes and mountain scenery. Finally we merged into I 80 and reached Salt Lake City (SLC), Utah.
3. Our hotel was near airport. SLC was not our major focus. We called our friends and let them lead the local tour. We just had couple of hours to spend. They took us to the Capitol Hill building, the mountain. From this mountain, one can see whole SLC and the salt lake. Came down to Temple Hill, spent some time there and went up to the University of Utah campus drive through tour. Had dinner at friend’s house. Went to hotel ~11pm.
4. Day 2 started early morning. Drove ~6 hrs to Vegas. Right after leaving SLC, saw beautiful Utah lake. Other than that there was not much to enjoy. Reached hotel in downtown (middle of downtown and strip). After refreshing, team headed to the strip area. Parked car on “Caesar Palace” hotel. Parking in this hotel is free and the location is ~middle of the strip section Vegas. Spent much time before lights started to come in this hotel casino. It was really fun. One recommendation: reserve hotel little bit away from downtown, drive to this free parking place and enjoy your night. This way you can save $$ on hotels. 
5. Day 3 started heading towards Los Angeles. Because LA is ~6 hrs away from Vegas, we decided to visit Huntington Beach. Spent couple of hours on the beach. Our destination was at San Diego. Driving on the side of Pacific Ocean was a real fun. If you have more time, you can visit zoo and water world in SA.
6. Day 4 was mostly spent on Universal studio. We reached there ~9am and came out ~6pm. Finished most of the shows and rides except transformer. If time permits, one can spend couple of more days in LA. Stayed at Bristo, CA that night. We were not sure where to stay and because of that had not booked hotel. I called hotel.com and asked the guy to book a hotel for me. It worked. Alternatives: can call directly to the hotel, may save some extra $$$. 
7. Day 5 was driving through Grand Canyons. Visibility was not the best but saw most of the canyons. You could spend more time if you are interested in helicopter ride, hiking, biking etc. Stayed at Blanding, UT that night. Also booked hotel via hotel.com. 
8. Day 6 was just driving on I 70 most of the days. Saw bit of Arches NP. Came across beautiful mountains on Colorado which has best sky locations and corresponding towns. Finally arrived Denver downtown and then to DIA.

जंगली भालु संगको जम्का भेटहरु #bear

-सुष्मा

मेरो कार माथि रमाउदै भालु। 

यसपालिको मेरो research field trip मा दुइ वटा भालु संग जम्का भेट भयो। यो भन्दा अगाडी पोहोर साल Yellowstone NP घुम्न जादा बाटो बाट अलि माथि चरी रहेको Grizzly bear देखेको थिए। यसपाली भने निकै नजिक बाट अवलोकन गर्ने मौका मिल्यो। 

यो समरमा म अनुसन्धानको लागि पटक पटक अमेरिकाको वायोमिंग राज्यमा रहेको  बिस्वकै प्रख्यात रास्ट्रीय निकुन्जमा जानु पर्ने छ. पहिलो पटक एक महिना अघि जादा पनि बाटो नजिकै black bear देखिन्थे। गाडी भित्रै बाट हेर्यो वा दुरबिन ले हेर्यो वा गाडी बाट ओर्लेर हेर्यो। पहिलो यात्राको बारेमा मेरा बुढाले टन्नै कथा लेख्या छन्। यहा क्लिक गर्नुस पढ्ने मन लाग्यो भने। यो दोश्रो पटकको यात्रा थियो। अझै त्यति नै पटक जानु पर्ने छ.

यति टाढा गाडी चलाएको यो मेरो पहिलो पटक थियो। करिब ३७० माइल  गाडी चलाउन मलाई साढे सात घण्टा लग्यो। यो यात्राका धेरै नै अबिस्मरनिय क्षणहरु छन्। जागर लाग्यो भने र फुर्सद भयो भने कुनै दिन लेखुला।

तेस्रो दिन अली थोरै हिद्नुपर्ने ठाउँमा गएर काम गरेर फर्किदै थियौ. बेलुकीको करीब साँढे सात बजे हामी २ जना मात्रै थियौ, जंगलको बाटो फर्किदै थियौ. अचानक रुखको हाङा भाचेको जस्तो आवाज आयो। Elk (एक किसिमको जरायो) हो की भनेर हामिले एक्छिन हल्ला गरेम and हिंड्न थालेम। यो ठाउमा हिड्न हाला गर्दै/ आवाज निकाल्दै गर्नु पर्छ जंगली जनावरलाइ आफ्नो बाटो बाट भगाउन। अलिकति नजिकै पुगेर हेर्दा त ग Grizzly bear पो रैछ। Bear मध्य निकै आक्रमक र मानिष सँग नडराउने यो भलु निकै ठुलो पनि हुन्छ। त्यो भालु र हामि बिच केवल ~२० फिटको दुरी थियो होला। खुब डर लाग्यो। तर पनि सतर्क हुदै हामी दुवै जना एक्छिन रोकियेउ. भालु सँग जम्काभेट हुँदा कहिलै पनि आतिएर हल्ला गर्ने अथवा दगुर्ने गर्नुहुदैन। त्यस भालुले हामीलाई हेर्यो आनि हाम्रो आँखा जुध्यो। हुन त पहिले पनि धेरै पटक भालु देखिसकेकी थिए तर तेति खेर गाडी नजिकै हुन्थ्यो अनि अरु मानिष पनि संगै हुन्थे, तर यसपटकको अली भिन्न थियो। तेति नजिकै बाट जंगलमा भालु, त्यसमा पनि Grizzly देख्दा एक्छिन चाँही डर लाग्यो। हामि दुवैले आ-आफ्नो bear spray निकालेउ। Bear spray नबोकि यो क्षेत्रमा हैकिंग गर्न मनाही छ. यो spray पिरो खुर्सानीको धुलोले बनेको हुन्छ। अनि भालु अलि नजिकै भए मात्र छार्क्यो भने प्रभाबकारी हुन्छ। त्यो पनि उसको आँखामा पर्ने गरि। हामि पुरै पोजिसन लिएर bear spray छर्न लाइ तयार हुदै गर्दा. केही बेर हामिलाई हेरेपछी भालु आफ्नो काम गर्न थाल्यो अनि हामी पनि बिस्तारै आफ्नो बाटो लगेउ। गाडीमा आइसकेपछी चाँही रमाइलो लाग्यो। 

पांचौ दिनको काम सकेर death canyon को पार्किंग लट फर्किदै थियौ.  त्यहा त एउटा black bear यता उता पो गरि रहेको रैछ। यसो हेर्दा बच्चा पनि हैन तर बयस्क पनि नभैसकेको जस्तो थियो। खाना नपाको हो कि जस्तो। पक्कै पनि मेरो बिचारमा त्यसले त्यहा रहेका गाडीमा शायद खाने कुरा खोज्दै थियो। मैले त्यसको भिडियो खिच्न सुरु गरे। पार्किंग लट मा अरु पनि गाडी रहेका र अरु 4-5 जना मान्छेहरु भएकोले तेती डर लागें। त्यो भालु मेरो कारको नजिकै आयो। मा अलि दरले गाडी भित्र गए। त्यसपछि त्यो जन्तु त गाडीको अगाडिको सिसा बाट भित्र हेर्दै हात पो हलाउछ. अनि फेरी एक छिनमा त्यहा बाट हटेर कता गयो होला भनेर हेर्दै थिय, गाडी बेस्सरी हल्लियो। खासमा त्यो भालु त गाडीको छत् मा चढेछ, र मैले हेर्दा हेर्दै तल झर्यो। उक्त क्षण निकै रोमान्चक पो लाग्यो। यस्तो क्षण कमै मान्छे लाइ आउछ जस्तो लाग्यो। उक्त भालुको भिडियो हेर्नुस है त. 

पछी realize भयो कि हामीले उक्त भालुलाई त्यहाँबाट भागौनुपर्थ्यो. किनकि भालु पल्कियो भने पछी कुनै time मा मानिषलाई आक्रमण गर्छ भनेर फोरेस्ट department ले तेस्ता  भालुलाई मार्ने रैछन। हजुरहरु कहिलै तेस्तो situation मा पर्नुभयो भने आफु careful हुनुहोला अनि भालुलाई धपौनुहोला, सो नै भालु and people को लागि उत्तम हुनेछ। अब तेस्तो केहि भयो भने म पनि तेस्तै गर्नेछु।   

Old Faithful Geyser Eruption Live

Look at this video I captured during our recent trip to Yellowstone NP, WY. This Old Faithful is the most predictable geographical feature on earth. Water erupts almost every 91 minutes. Last year we missed it. When reached this place, it had just erupted and we didn't have time to wait another one and half hour. This year we were lucky. We just had to wait ~15min. Details of this phenomenon can be found in wikipedia.

भरिया दाईको न "बिसाउने" भारि

भरिया दाईको "बिसाउने" भारि
सुनमाया बिसाउने चौतारी

यस्तो गीत छ नी यौटा फेमस। मेरो चाइ बिसाउने भन्दा नी नबिसाउने भनम जस्तो। अस्तिको हप्ता भरियाको काम गरियो। हाइकिङ ब्यक्प्यक भरि सामान् भर्यो अनि डांडा कांडा उकाली ओराली गर्यो। पांच दिन सम्म करिब पांच घन्टा प्रत्यक दिन्। उकालो चढेर फर्किदा सामान् पनि काम हुँदै जान्थ्यो। हुनत यस्तो काम हाम्रो देशका लाखौंको दैनिकी नै हो। तर पनि आफूले नगरेको काम गर्दा गार्है हुने। कति खैरे पनि देखिन्थे, तर उनिहरुको आफ्नै चाहना ले। यसरी हिंडेको धेरै बर्ष पछि थियो। एक पटक सानैमा प्युठान गएको थिए, दाङ को बाटो हुदै बुवा सङ। दाङ बाट अली पर सम्म बसमा त्यसपछि तीरामको ओरालो हिडेर र दहखोला सम्म हिंडेको छु। तर भारी बोक्न पारेको थेन। भारी नबोकी त अर्को पटक पनि भालुबाङको बाटो २ दिन हिडेर दहखोला पुगेको छू पचास सालको बर्खा मासमा। अनि ५५ हो की ५६ साल तीर दहहोला देखि नारिकोट सम्म रेकम र शिव अंकलहरू सँग हिंडेको छु। त्यसको मजा छुट्तै थियो। तर भारी बोकेर पनि नहिडेको त हैन। स्कुल पड्ने ताका घासका भारी खेत बाट होस् वा बन बाट होस् सकी नसकी बोकिन्थ्यो/ बोक्न पर्थ्यो। बन बात दाउराका भारी पनि कति बोकियो कति। तर त्यो एकादेशको कथा भैसकेको स्थिति हो। 

एक्कासी अस्तिको हप्ता भारी बोकेर उकाली ओराली गर्दापो गार्हो भयो नि। सुरुका दिनहरू खासगरि। त्यसपछि भने बिस्तारै बानी पार्न थाल्या थ्यो, काम सक्क्यो र फर्कियो। उक्त भारी बोकाइको बिस्त्रित कथा यहा अङ्रेजी मा लेखेको छु, जागर लाग्यो भने पढ्नु होला। अहिले भने हाइकिङ गर्दाका फोटोहरु। 

Hello from Grand Tetons NP

Its so beautiful looking sun set on the Tetons from the cabins on the side of Jackson lake. We just arrived here for a field trip and will be staying here for more ~10 days. There is some snow on the Teton tips. Weather is so nice. Warm enough. Sunny. Green every where. 

I will try to write everyday activities here in this post. Please follow this post.
-Basant
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Day1 (06/01/12): Laramie to Jackson Lake

We came from Laramie via I-80 to Rawlings and then HY 287. Driving on 287 especially around Wind River and later on when we were approaching to the Jackson lake area (where Grand Tetons are located) was just awesome. Wind River area is famous for indigenous people of the USA-the Red Indians. This place has "reserve area" for those who have been staying in this area for generations. And, it is also a famous tourist destination these days. We didn’t stop by Wind River reservation but it is on my list of one of ‘to visit places’. There are spectacular views of colored little mountains or hills. And, these hills have interesting structures on them which may be because of the strong wind.

around Wind River

When we were approaching close to the Tetons, the view was even more spectacular. As it was the evening time, the green jungle (conifers), the whole landscape, small rivers or creeks, and the on the background the Tetons were amazing. In addition to these beauties that this place has, we were lucky enough to witness a bear grazing on the side of the road on the very first day of our visit to the Tetons. I took a picture and am sharing with you. My camera doesn’t have a telephoto lens that’s why I couldn’t zoom in enough but you still see in the picture below. It is a brown colored. I am not sure whether it was a black or brown bear. It was a small one though. Later on, when I talked to NPS-UW research center officials, came to know that this creature is roaming in this area for few days. There are posting on the road to make you aware that bears are around. Interesting thing to me was that that bear didn’t care about human activities. Many cars were pulled over the road and so many people watching it, but it looked like nothing is happing. My guess is that it is just used to such things.

Bear

I was in this place last summer also. That was just for touristic visit. But, in this visit I have some responsibilities as a assistant to the research team. And, we are staying on NPS-UW research center cabins. I will write about the service it provides for researchers in upcoming posts. Today, I just want to mention one thing. That is its prime location. This center is just on the side of Jackson Lake. On one side of the lake, this center is located and on the other side of the lake are Grand Tetons. I can see the spectacular views of these mountains through my cabin window. It is really beautiful. These mountains still have snow on them which adds to the beauty. Also, just now we saw a deer (no idea which type) in front of our cabin. So good.

Jackson Lake and the Tetons

Okay, this much for now. We have to prepare for tomorrow’s trip to the death canyons. Good night. 

Very limited access to internet. Will upload more photos and videos in coming days.

Day2 (06/02/12)-From Death Canyon

Prof Dillon with his PhD student Susma in their
study site

As I mentioned you in day 1 writing, I am here to help a research team from University of Wyoming. This research team, headed by Prof Dillon, aims to collect different bee species in this location to understand the effect of changing climate on bee physiology. Today morning we headed to one of the study sites-the “death canyons”. This study site is about 45 min drive toward south from the research station. After parking our car on the parking place around 8:30am, we loaded our study gears on our back and started hiking up. This hiking trail goes little up and reaches to a ridge from where you see a fabulous view of Phelps Lake. This lake receives snow melt water from death canyons-I guess somewhere from Alaska basin (not sure). On the side of Phelps Lake, we set up our bee collection cups. This is our site #1. We have three sites on this canyon at different elevations. We then moved to another site. After we reached around 8500 ft, the hiking trail was blocked with snow and the vegetation there was just emerging which didn’t favor our goal and we decided to come back. We had our lunch at this place. Down the hiking trail, the snow melt river is flowing down with all white water and too much noise that it was difficult to even hear our own conversation. Looking up on both sides of the trail were the big stony mountains (with very little vegetation and snow on them) and towards way back to the trail was a whole scenery of mountains, a river flowing through a narrow mountain pass and the Phelps Lake.  It was raining in the morning on the up canyon. But it was wonderful. We descended back to the site#1 and collected bees. And, finally came back after 10 hours work including ~2hrs driving. It was the first time I hiked that long (~5 hrs) on the mountain trails (ups and downs) after ~10 yrs. Now I am tired. The day after tomorrow, we will go to the same location upto ~11000 ft. Before that, we will go to another location-paint brush canyon tomorrow.

2nd bear on the road side!!

And, while driving back to the research center, we saw two bears on the road side. It is amazing to see a single bear can attract so many people. We also saw two moose on the hiking trail. One female moose with its baby was there on the road side. We saw this moose while going to our field on the morning ~8am, and it was still there while we were coming back ~5pm. 

At the research center, one deer was just out side of the library where I have access to the internet was just hanging out. It posed for photographs. And, here it is.

This deer is around our residence at NPS-UW research center.

Day3 (06/03/12)-Hiking at Paint Brush Canyon

Today we went for a hiking on Paint Brush Canyon. Parked our car on the parking lot near String Lake. Today's hike was about 5 hrs in total. We were not able to go farther (above ~8000 ft) because of same snow. Set up cups  for bee collection at two different elevations. We hiked around Jenny Lake also. Hiking around Jenny Lake was a nice one. Part of the hiking trail was blocked by avalanche (not big one though).  We saw a male moose while descending down from the second cup setting site. He was just staring at us. On the way to our research station, we saw at couple of points on the side of road that one bear (I think it is the same bear we have been seeing past three days at this location) and one moose. So many people just pointing their binoculars and cameras. We arrived on the research center ~3pm (early compared to yesterday), had some rest and had dinner at Prof Dillon's cabin. Went to Jackson Lake beach (:)) played a while.

Moose near lower Paint Brush Canyon camping site area

Day5 (06/05/12)-Paint Brush Canyon 2nd time

You may be curious where is day4? No day4 hiking for me. I didn't go for hiking because I had nothing to do in the field. Prof Dillon and Susma went to Death canyon site and I just stayed in the research center and worked on my own stuffs. Day 5 was just a repetition of what we did in day 3. We were just Susma and myself hiking upto lower paint brush canyon camping site where Susma has the 2nd site in paint brush canyon location. Beyond this point, snow is on the hiking trail and no chance of catching bees. While going up in the very morning we were the first on the trail but while coming back we saw couple of more people. In the early morning, it was kinda scary to be the first on the trail. We were talking, whistling, singing songs all the time to make bears go away from our way. I took some pictures from this hiking. Specially the shadows of Tetons and String lake. They came out to be really good. Some pictures from today's hiking......

Susma is processing the ''bees'' at ''lower paint brush canyon site''

Tetons on String Lake 

Day 6 (06/06/12)-Death Canyon 2nd time
Again Susma and I started the hiking early morning ~8am. Nobody on the trail other than us. Made noise to get away from Bears. Saw no animals during the entire 5 hrs hiking except marmots. It was really a cold morning. There were signs of light snowfall in the night. Water on the surface of cups were frozen. The creek coming down from the canyon to the Phelps Lake was making big noise. Took some pictures of the whole landscape, focusing on the same creek and the Phelps Lake. After returning to the research center, we decided to go and see Old Faithful geyser in Yellostone NP. We had missed the eruption of water last year. But this time we were lucky enough to see it and didn't have to wait for long time. Here are some pictures captured today.

Susma processing ''bees'' at Death Canyon site#2

Phelps Lake

This is me at Old Faithful Geyser

Day 7 (06/07/12)-Paint Brush Canyon and back to Laramie

Our initial plan was to return to Laramie on 8th. But we decided to return on today. We just had to go for a 5 hr hiking on pain brush canyon and this hiking was the usual one. NOT much different. Even I didn't carry my camera and finished in 3 and half hour and we were excited to return home. We started our hike ~7:30 in the morning and back to the parking place ~11:00am. And, to Laramie ~6:00pm. Happy to be at home. We completed our mission aimed for this trip. Susma has brought ~100's of bees. I am excited to see her results after she performs lab work. She will go to the same field sites three more times this year.

As a PhD student in Chemistry, I may not have detailed information about UW-NPS research center can offer for you. From my experience from this trip, I can say that it provides an unique opportunity for researchers interested on biodiversity, ecology, climate change research in broad. It provides some laboratory facility along with fantastic housing for researchers. Also, I believe it provides some financial help. You may want to select this area for your field research.