6. **The Legend of the Thunder Bird**

Yellowstone’s geothermal features—especially the geysers and hot springs—are closely entwined with the Thunder Bird legend. Many Native American stories hold that large birds known as Thunder Birds nested in the mountains around Yellowstone produced thunder using their strong wings and discharging lightning from their eyes. Said to be in charge of the geysers and hot springs that developed wherever their lightning touched the ground were these amazing beings. According to the folklore, geysers like Old Faithful reflect the hunting routine of the Thunder Birds; each eruption marks their departure or return to their nests. Visitors to the park still find great inspiration in this tale, which has been handed down through decades.