Yellowstone National Park & Grand Tetons

Taken at the West Thumb Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, US, on 15 September 2012. The deposits around the edge of this hot spring, Black Pool, made such a colourful contrast to the almost turquoise colour of the water. My photo shows just one small portion of the the edge, taken from the boardwalk. "The pool was cool enough up until 1991 for dark orange-brown cyanobacteria to grow throughout the pool. When combined with the blue of the water, the pool appeared to be an exceptionally dark green to almost black, hence the name." An exchange of function took place in 1991, shifting thermal energy to Black Pool and nearby Abyss Pool, causing them to heat up. Black Pool's temperature became hot enough to kill all the cyanobacteria in the pool, turning the pool a rich teal blue color. The pool also had frequent boiling eruptions on August 15, 1991, doming the water to 3 feet and causing heavy runoff. Black Pool remains extremely hot, and is now one of Yellowstone's most beautiful and intensely blue pools. The name of the pool remains "Black Pool." From Wikipedia. The dark orange-brown cyanobacteria seems to be back along this one edge of the spring. "Temperature of Black Pool is 132°F. Dimensions 40x75 feet. Depth 30 feet. Black Pool is one of the largest springs in the West Thumb Geyser Basin. The dark-colored water is the combination of the natural, transparent blue of the water and the orange algae lining of the pool. The low temperature of the pool is responsible for the abundant growth of the orange-colored microbial mats. Algae and cyanobacteria in combination with sinter deposits have created coral-like formations on the sides of the pool but these are visible for only a few feet. The pH of Black Pool is a slightly alkaline 7.8." www.yellowstonenationalpark.com/westthumb.htm

Just one of the beautiful views we had during our visit to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, US, two months ago. Taken on 14 September 2012, the fourth day of our week's trip.

Part of one of the hot spring formations at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, US. Taken on 12 September 2012, the second day of our week's trip from Calgary down to Grand Teton National Park. Not sure if this is part of Palette Spring, but this wonderful mix of natural colours would fit perfectly into the name. Bacteria and algae create the streaks of color, forming tapestries of living colour.

This beautiful tree was right by one of the lookouts along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, US. The trunk was so richly coloured and twisted and gnarled, it begged to be photographed (with the far side of the Canyon in the background). Taken on 14 September 2012 along the South Rim of the Canyon, maybe at Artists's Point or Uncle Tom's Point..

Not sure if this is Emerald Pool or Rainbow Pool! I've seen a lot of photos that name it as Rainbow Pool, but just found others that name it Emerald, which makes more sense to me. Continued research is needed! Think that maybe Emerald is the correct one. "Temperature 154.6°F Dimensions 27x38 feet. Depth 25 feet. Named for its emerald green color, it is one of the main attractions at Black Sand Basin. The color is the result of lower temperatures which have allowed yellow bacteria and algae to grow on the lining of the pool. The clear water of the pool reflects the blues but absorbs the other hues of the color spectrum. The combination of blue and yellow then produces green. Objects thrown into the pool and natural debris have caused a further decrease in temperature, resulting in a change of bacteria and algae growth and thus a change of color. The edge of the pool is now orange and brown. If the temperature continues to decrease, the pool may lose its emerald color." www.yellowstonenationalpark.com/blacksand.htm

Common Ravens look black, but when seen up close, which doesn't usually happen, you can see the variety of colours in those beautiful feathers. This was a slightly scruffy Raven that was hanging around one of the parking lots along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River (North Rim?), no doubt hoping to find some easy food. Taken on 14 September 2012, during my week's holiday down as far as Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons. "Common Ravens will eat almost anything they can get hold of. They eat carrion; small animals from the size of mice and baby tortoises up to adult Rock Pigeons and nestling Great Blue Herons; eggs; grasshoppers, beetles, scorpions, and other arthropods; fish; wolf and sled-dog dung; grains, buds, and berries; pet food; and many types of human food including unattended picnic items and garbage." www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/common_raven/lifehistory en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Raven

I think this is part of the Minerva Terrace at Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park. Photographed on 12 September 2012, the second day of our week's trip down to the US.

I still have all sorts of photos from my week's holiday with my friends from England that I haven't posted yet. This hot spring is now surrounded by the waters of Yellowstone Lake. Taken on 15 September 2012, the fifth day of our trip. "Fishing Cone is a geyser in the West Thumb Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park in the United States. In the earlier part of the 20th century, this cone had eruptions as high as 40 feet (12 m). As the water level in Yellowstone Lake has increased, the cone is now inundated during the spring and the temperatures in the cone have cooled enough that it no longer erupts and is now considered a hot spring. The name Fishing Cone can be traced back to tales told by mountain men of a lake where you could catch a fish then immediately dunk it into hot spring and cook it on the hook. A member of the 1870 Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition popularized this feat." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishing_Cone

To me, it looks like a little mud monster, drowing and calling out for help, lol! Taken at the fascinating Fountain Paint Pot location in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, US. More info later about this hot, bubbling mud, but I must get ready to dash out, and the snow is falling (again), so I have to leave enough time to clear my car. Hopefully, it will be just snow and not a layer of almost impossible ice to scrape, too. Ha, just HAD to share this YouTube video (thanks, Dave!). It never pays to tease a frog! youtu.be/QzXM58qR1Es