Fascinating facts about U.S. National Parks

Preserving the country’s rich natural and cultural heritage, U.S. national parks feature some of North America’s most stunning virgin landscapes and a plethora of natural wonders within them. Mighty mountains, towering prehistoric trees, and punctual geysers are all hallmarks of these magnificent spaces. However, even regular visitors like yours truly often get pleasantly surprised by the many fascinating yet little-known facts about these places, frequently hiding right underneath our noses (or even feet).

Image source: cntraveler.com

Some of these hidden gems could even rival the main attractions of the parks themselves. Such was the case of the now well-publicized caldera volcano that makes up Yellowstone National Park. The Yellowstone caldera—responsible for the hot springs and the eruptions of the Old Faithful geyser, is interesting since it isn’t extinct. Due to its colossal size and the fact that it is long overdue for what scientists believe would be a cataclysmic eruption, it inspires awe and fear.

Other park facts inspire a different kind of awe. The rangers at Denali National Park in Alaska trended relatively recently for showing a video of the puppies they were raising as the successors of their sled dog teams. Hey, nothing draws the crowds in the age of the Internet than baby animals.

Beyond saving natural wonders and ancient cultural heritage (including ruins and land sacred to many native cultures), national parks often preserve bits and pieces of contemporary history; segments of the historic Route 66 are preserved in Petrified Forest National Park.

Image source: travelandleisure.com

The best ways to find out what these parks have in store would be to visit them. I’m Jack Elway, photographer, hiker, and nature enthusiast. Follow me on Twitter for more on my post-retirement adventures.

The Ways of Photojournalism

Photography documents moments in a snap, using the element of time and light to reproduce a moment as it is recognized. For its quick access and production, photography has been the go-to tool for documentation, together with other media that supplement other storytelling techniques.

Image source: momentaworskshops.com

The impact of photography in society has been immense, with it being used to create awareness about issues otherwise unbeknown to many. Photojournalism keeps the stories alive even after it has been reported in the news, via television, print, or radio. Truth in this form of documentation is hard to break, unlike in other forms, where a single word altered may alter the whole event.

Now that we’re bombarded with information more than ever (thanks to social media), almost anyone can become a photojournalist. While camera phones don’t compare to professional cameras, amateur photojournalist who take on social media as their main platform gain more attention than professional ones, with their skills honed through time. Because of this, photojournalism has drastically changed, and has morphed into videojournalism. With options to go live, social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook have been the biggest tools for creating awareness through the Internet. Their quick access has lured users of their apparent right to record anything that’s newsworthy.

Photojournalism, when partnered with newswriting, is bound by the rules of journalism used for broadcasting. It tells the truth without being rude, taking in consideration photos that have to be censored or reports that require disclaimers before being broadcast—unlike in unregulated platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

Image source: huffingtonpost.com

Hi there! My name is Jack Elway and I’m a retired photographer traveling around the country to take photos of national parks. I’m currently in Denver to shoot its wilderness. Follow me here for quick updates.