June 11, 2007
 This morning we met with Ranger Ellen Petrick at Mammoth Terraces. During our hike we spent a lot of time off the beaten path at Narrow Gauge Terrace. Ellen told us how terraces are formed from calcium carbonate dissolved in water that spills out of springs heated by the hot spot of Yellowstone. She enthusiastically explained how the geology of Yellowstone is what truly makes Yellowstone a unique feature of the earth. NASA studies the terraces, which can be seen from space, to try to learn about the origins of life. We were surprised to learn that the cyanobacteria found in the terraces in the 1960’s led to the billion dollar DNA replication technology that is used in modern CSI investigation techniques today.
 In the afternoon, we met coyote researchers who demonstrated how to locate radio-collared coyotes with telemetry. The researchers took us to some interesting places to observe Yellowstone’s treasures. We were in awe of the majesty of the golden eagle with its seven foot wingspan and its downy white chick in the cliffs above Slough Creek. We hiked up a hill into the back-county to search for shed elk antlers. Our journey was rich with the discovery of a coyote den, garter snake, petrified wood, bison wallows, a kestrel, a severed coyote foot and pronghorn antelope. It is amazing what you can find when you are observant and appreciative of nature.
Q & A for June 11
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