Cottonwood Trees

Description:

The trees in the genus Populus are found on a number of different continents, often found on floodplains where their thick corky bark protects them from spring flooding and the scouring effects of floating ice, at least in places where ice is a problem.

Habitat:

Often in floodplains, but also may be found in upland areas in North America.

Notes:

I found this particular grove of cottonwoods in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley. The sun was setting and a ray of sunlight streaked across the valley illuminating the brilliant gold of their autumnal color.