Our first two blogs in this Yellowstone 2023 series shared some of our favorite photos of scenery in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, and some images of the hydrothermal/geothermal features and wildlife in Yellowstone. The photos in this set continue the mix from Yellowstone.
Waterfall on the Firehole River. The river itself is cold enough for trout, so I suppose the Firehole name comes from all of the hot springs and geysers that feed into it.Hot spring and steam vent near (but not in) the Norris Geyser Basin. This is one of the hottest springs in the park, with water temperatures close to boiling. The sound of the steam jetting out of the ground is so loud that, from where I shot this photo, you have to shout to be able to have a conversation. Some of the original explorers would catch a trout in the Firehole River and then simply turn around and dunk the fish in a hot spring to cook it. Feasible, I suppose, or maybe just a tall tale. Regardless, when the rangers warn you not to step off the boardwalk or risk a scalding, they are serious!Norris Geyser Basin in the west or northwest part of the Park. This is the hottest geyser basin in Yellowstone. The heat flux varies from year to year, and so does the elevation of the ground. The surface profile can rise or fall by an inch or two in a few years, according to high-precision measurements. The picture looks calm, but this is dynamic geology.Pronghorn, also called antelope. This one was keeping watch in Lamar Valley, which is sometimes called the Serengeti of North America because of its wildlife.Mountain goats on a cliff east of the Lamar Valley.An obstinance of bison blocking traffic and a construction zone pilot car. Once you see their behavior, you understand why a herd of bison is called an obstinance.Young bull elk jousting near the road between Yellowstone National Park and Gardiner, Montana. These guys are not yet a match for the bigger, older bull elk, but they are testing their mettle for when the time comes for a serious battle.
Shameless plug: if any of these photos catch your fancy as artwork for your home, workshop, or office, or as a gift for someone else, I would be happy to sell it to you as a framed print, a print on canvas, or a print on metal.
