The North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is about half the size of the South Unit. The two Units are not directly connected but the Little Missouri River flows through both with the best views in the North. So starting from the South Unit in Medora, North Dakota, let’s embark on the 75 minute drive and explore the North Unit!
Besides water. The Missouri/Yellowstone confluence–point of joining–is in North Dakota, about four miles east of the Montana state line. What makes this river confluence important enough for this huge, beautiful Visitor Center? Let’s have a look!
I first saw White-faced Ibis in Yellowstone. Although they breed in western Wyoming and central Montana, I only ever saw them migrating. This breeding couple (male birds are larger) are resting along the Madison River. Standing on one leg, warming the other on this very chilly Yellowstone April morning.
Every spring a spectacular migration of Snow Geese takes place in Central Montana’s Freezout Lake. They winter in central California, rest for a week or two here at Freezout, then continue to their Arctic tundra breeding grounds. By the end of March annually there can be 50,000 geese a day at Freezout!
It is now 6:30am and time to appreciate a beautiful pre-sunrise sky. The wind is picking up and we have a bit of a hike to get closer to the geese. Deep, peaceful breath . . . let’s go!
