Jackson Lake, Grand Tetons
Part of the Greater Yellowstone area, the Grand Tetons have some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in America
Snake River, Grand Tetons
This scene was made famous by Ansel Adams in 1942. You can see his remarkable photo here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Adams_The_Tetons_and_the_Snake_River.jpg It's not really possible to duplicate that image anymore. For one thing, the trees have grown in quite a bit, obscuring the bend in the river. There's a railing that prevents you from getting closer. Finally, Adams probably got on the roof of his station wagon to take this one.
Still, it's such a gorgeous location that every day, hundreds of people get out of their cars and tour buses, listen to the story of Ansel Adams, and snap their own version. I, of course, am no exception. Also, Adams used black and white film; I used a converted infrared DSLR camera.
Grand Prismatic Spring No. 1
Grand Prismatic is the biggest hot spring in the U.S. Most images of this area feature its brilliant orange and blue coloration. The color comes from microbial mats that grow in the super heated water. Interestingly, the deep turquoise center of the pool has no microbes -- it's just too hot.
Walking on the boardwalk around the pool, you see all sorts of patterns and textures that aren't part of any typical landscape.
Grand Prismatic Spring No. 2
Another viewpoint from Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, the biggest in the U.S
Firehole River No. 1
A lot of the hot springs in the Upper Geyser Basin, near Old Faithful, empty directly into this river, making it around 15 degrees hotter than any other streams. In some locations, the temperature of the river is as high as 85 degrees F. Early trappers saw these pillars of steam, making it look like the river itself was on fire.
Firehole River No. 2
Even though chemicals from Old Faithful and other geysers flow into the Firehole, it's full of trout. It's only about 21 miles long, starting at Madison Lake and ending in the Madison River, all within Yellowstone. Short -- but exceptionally beautiful.
Firehole River No. 3
Even though the Firehole River has levels of boron and arsenic above standard limits, brown and rainbow trout spawn there. It's also a very popular place for fly fishing.
Firehole River No. 4
Another scene from Yellowstone's Upper Geyser Basin. This was captured with a DSLR that's been converted to infrared only. Infrared enhances the skies, which is perfect for the unique scenery in Yellowstone.
Upper Geyser Basin No. 1
Yellowstone is noted for its crowds, especially around Old Faithful. Yet this photo was taken around 10am, and there was hardly anyone there. If you get more than 1/2 mile away from the roads, you'll avoid about 97% of the people.
Upper Geyser Basin No. 3
Another relatively unpopulated area of the Upper Geyser Basin near the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park.
Upper Geyser Basin No. 6
The quintessential Yellowstone scene - a geothermal geyser cone, steam rising from the bowels of the earth, partially obscuring the thick forest.
Upper Geyser Basin No. 7
Another scene from Yellowstone's Upper Geyser Basin.
Mystic Forest
One of my favorite scenes from Yellowstone's Upper Geyser Basin. Because of the intense activity in the magma reservoir beneath Yellowstone, the springs are constantly changing locations. When they do, the trees are caught, and die where they are, leaving bleached white trunks.
Old Faithful Inn
This popular hotel is the largest log hotel in the world. It was built in 1904, and is a classic example of "National Park Rustic" architecture. The materials all come from the area, chiefly lodgepole pine and rhyolite stone. The architect was 29 year old Robert Reamer, who worked for the Yellowstone Park Company, which was part of the Northern Pacific Railway. The only serious threat to the Inn's survival came with the 1988 North Fork Fire, but thanks to many firefighters and volunteers, it made it through.
Mammoth Hot Spring No. 1
Over thousands of years, hot water, filled with calcium carbonate, has been coming to the surface and cooling, forming the layers so characteristic of Mammoth Hot Springs. It is the biggest carbonate depositing spring in the world.
Mammoth Hot Spring No. 2
Calcium carbonate terraces that build up every day at Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone.