Grand Prism

The Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park is the largest hot spring in the United States, and the third largest in the world. The vivid colors in the spring are the result of pigmented bacteria in the microbial mats that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water. - wikipedia

Guided Hike

Up at 3 AM for a work issue. This is not a good way to start the work week. The storm clouds in this shot seem appropriate as I look at the work week just beginning. While in Yellowstone, we went on a couple of guided hikes. I really like this shot of our ranger as he scans the horizon as storm clouds gather and threaten to open up on us. We ended up not getting wet on our hike, but it certainly looked like it might at any time.

Mud Caldron

Imagine cracks or a natural "plumbing' system reaching down several thousand feet (several hundred meters) below Mud Caldron to a source of hot water. Steam produced by this boing rises to the surface and passes through Mud Caldron, heating the water in the process-but not boiling it. The bubbling is caused by carbon dioxide and other gases rising from below. -Mud Volcano Trail Guide, Yellowstone National Park

Mud Volcano

Early explorers to Yellowstone described this feature as a "Most repulsive and terrifying sight," a volcano-like cone, 30 feet high and 30 feet wide (9 by 9 m) with mud erupting to cover tall trees. When Nathaniel P Langford visited it in 1870, however, he saw "a seething, bubbling mass of mud." It's likely a violent eruption blew out the cone's side, leaving the crater you see today. Rich in iron sulfides and powered by heavy gas discharge, the water constantly undercuts the back wall. -Mud Volcano Trail Guide, Yellowstone National Park

There Be Dragons!

Dragon's Mouth Spring has captured imaginations for centuries. The Crow saw the steam as snorts of an angry bull bison. An unknown European American gave it the current name. Its previous names have included Gothic Grotto, Blowing Cavern and The Belcher. This surging action has decreased since 1994; no one is sure why. In 1999, more dramatic changes occurred: The water temperature dropped ten degrees and the color changed from green to chalky white. - YNP brochure

Yellowstone Morning

Early morning on the Yellowstone River. Looking for bears, but none are to be found. However, the views make up for the lack of bears on this cool summer morning.

Old Faithful

Old Faithful spews forth it's hot water on this stormy afternoon in Yellowstone National Park. The Old Faithful Inn and Lodge watch over it's faithful eruptions throughout the day and night.

Submerged Geyser

Early morning shot of Fishing Cone Geyser in Yellowstone Lake. Mountain men told of a geyser along an alpine lake where one could catch a trout, swing the pole around, dip it in the boiling pool, and cook the fish without taking it off the line.

Kayaks and Geysers

Captured these kayakers on their morning trip on Yellowstone Lake. Made me wish I was on the lake with them.

Old Faithful

Old Faithful erupts more frequently than any of the other big geysers, although it is not the largest or most regular geyser in the park. Its average interval between eruptions is about 88 minutes, varying from 44-125 minutes. An eruption lasts 1 1/2 to 5 minutes, expels 3,700-8,400 gallons of boiling water, and reaches a height of 106-184 feet. Members of the Washburn Expedition of 1870 named this geyser for its consistent performance. Although its average interval has lengthened, Old Faithful is as spectacular as it was a century ago. -Old Faithful Area Trail Guide, Yellowstone National Park

Blue and Yellow

I am amazed with the colors of the geysers in Yellowstone National Park. To think that such a blue pool of water could cause such yellow colored streams. Brings to mind that blue and yellow make green, but there is no green except in the trees.

Earth meets Sky and Water

Early morning on Yellowstone Lake. The cloud deck hung low with the mountains in the distance reaching up to touch it on this cool early summer morning. The geysers of West Thumb Geyser Basin were particularly visible with the cool temps. I love how using this wide angle lens at a low angle makes it feel like the water is rushing up to you while at the same time draws you into the shot.

Making Clouds

The cloudy afternoon we had on this day in Yellowstone National Park provided for a great optical illusion that this geyser was belching steam to feed them.

Long Way Down

Looking down the metal staircase that forms Uncle Tom's Trail to the bottom of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone can be quite dizzying. This descent is not for those with a fear of heights. The park also discourages visitors with a heart condition from attempting this descent as the ascent can be a real killer.

Yellowstone Dreaming

Going through the archive of shots I took at Yellowstone and I uncovered this view of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. So many images of the canyon look upriver towards the falls, but I thought this was a neat vantage looking the other direction to what lies beyond the canyon.

Hayden Heights

On a morning hike into Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park. The skies were still very overcast, but beginning to clear. Off to the right of the of the shot is a bison wallow area with one lone bison at the edge of the photo.

Gibbons Overlook

First stop we made after entering Yellowstone National Park last summer was at Gibbons Falls. Not easy getting a nice waterfall shot in the middle of the day, but I'm pleased with how this one came out all things considered.