I can't see much except that it is white with center of yellow that sticks up, and is in water. So I'm going to take a guess and suggest Ranunculus aquatilis, water buttercup. Perhaps you can enlarge your pic on your computer and see details to compare. Here is a link that might be useful: Yellowstone wildflowers

I agree with Potentilla sp.. The pale yellow may be enough to ID it, but it would be best to show the leaves and overall plant for a species ID. This post was edited by abgardeneer on Tue, Jul 9, 13 at 1:09

The notion any animal, except man of course, kills for fun is silly and I didn't say that. What I did say is wolves don't hunt for the meat or survival. I said wolves are pedators and they will kill just for the sake of killing. That is their nature. Because of this, as Posieh said, wolves were almost eradicated in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Why? Because they were killing the livelihood of those settling the land. Wolves a century ago are what we in the west are dealing with today; a predator with no natural enemy to keep the balance...the circle of life if you will. They are killing our profits; taking away money we use to support our families, pay taxes and make a contribution to society. To many, who do not deal with the loss of profit (and again, the means to support our families, pay taxes, contribute to communities, etc. etc.) shooting a wolf is a horrible thing to contemplate. Why? Because what the wolves are doing does not affect YOU, your bank account and your means to make a living. This would be like me telling Kath the poor management at the hospital where she works (which drives her crazy on an almost daily basis) is trivial and acceptable based on the fact that it does not affect me personally. (I use Kath as an example simply because we've known each other for ever and ever and I know what she does to support her family. I'm not picking on her, okay?) Can you see the point I'm trying to make? A hundred years ago it was either people or the wolves. And there is a reason they were hunted down. I have seen a wolf kill and it's ugly. Horrible. The killed animals suffered a terrible death and the carcass was left behind. Sad? Maybe. Would you have me, my family, my husband's family and all other livestock producers just give it up and turn everything we own over to the wolves? Why? To make someone far, far far removed from wolves feel better? It's either people or the wolves. To think someone would pick a wild animal over a family (or lots of families) is just...well, sad. And wrong. Yes. Humanity is encroaching on the wolves. And the grizzly. And the spotted owl and the....the list is long. What do you want done? Thin out the existing human population so the animals have a place to live? Okay. Who goes first? And how will they be eliminated? Another idea to eliminate people and turn the land over to the wolves (who I assure you, pay ZERO income tax, LOL), but with a far slower impact in favor of the wolf, would be zero population growth. I am being as respectful as I can be. If I offend I don't mean to. I'm just trying to make the existence of my family, my husband's family and all others who make their living raising livestock as important as anyone else in America. I am an animal lover. I also know if it comes down to a either or situation I will pick the person every time. Lori

I'm close to Yosemite. I go there every year and love it more every time I go. It was hard to not go this summer and choose Yellowstone instead but I'm glad I did. The river was at peak and so the falls were spectacular. It's the size of it that astounds me. The dedication of some of the people following wolves.........stop if you see them set up with the scopes. You need good equipment to see far out into the area where they are. The buffalo just get next to the road and watch you go by. I saw bison, elk, deer, pronghorn, otter, trout, eagle sitting in a dead tree, bear eating daisies, marmots, swans, geese, and chipmunks plus something kids called whistle pigs ( prairie dogs?). I got bitten by mosquitoes and itched for days so keep your flip flops for inside instead of walking about as I did. I don't know how people wore shorts and didn't get covered with bites. Ice cream is everywhere but fresh fruits and veggies are harder to find. The central area in Canyon had a good food court with reasonable prices. Their grocery selection was better than anywhere else but still limited. I'm used to yosemite's good grocery store and deli. Tetons had a fantastic market at colter bay where the boat launch is. Organics and a hot ready made counter at reasonable prices. There is a good market in town outside of mammoth hot springs in Montana we found. I was sitting on a bench eating cheerios and nectarines and a former employee asked me if i worked there because i ate like a park employee. Well no wonder.....that's about as healthy as the choices are in the store. 2.50 for canned corn or green beans at lake or Roosevelt. Bring your own or overpay for the few options they have ( tuna, Campbell's soup, beef stew, ramen,beans,oatmeal.) There is no shortage of yogurt, ice cream, cheese, Oscar Meyer lunch meat, bread and packaged muffins. The same supplier and the same food throughout. The same eggs and frozen breakfast potatoes are at the little grills as well as the big lodge and hotel dining rooms. If trader Joe's was there, it would be packed. We liked the lake hotel dining room ( beautiful! ) , the canyon central food court (good value) and my sister liked the grill at old faithful next to the gas station (friendly) and the unlimited breakfast buffet at the restaurant overlooking the clear blue lake. That grill at old faithful has park employees laughing and catching a late bite just before closing. The park folks know where the good food is. Fishermen probably get the best meal with the fresh trout they catch. My favorite meal was in Tetons at Dornans where they have a bbq feast with all the sides served from big kettles over wood flames. You eat outside on the grass with a view of the mountains. Ill try for some pictures tomorrow.