From Wikipedia:
The geothermal areas of Yellowstone include several geyser basins in Yellowstone National Park as well as other geothermal features such as hot springs,mud pots, and fumaroles. The number of thermal features in Yellowstone is estimated at 10,000[1] and 200 to 250 geysers erupt in Yellowstone each year, making it the place with the highest concentration of active geysers in the world,[2] thanks to its location in an ancient active caldera. Many of these features build up sinter, geyserite, or travertine deposits around and within them…
Nikon D4, AF-S 28-300mm 3.5-5.6 VR
The various geyser basins are located where rainwater and snowmelt can percolate into the ground, get indirectly superheated by the underlyingYellowstone hotspot, and then erupt at the surface as geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles. Thus flat-bottomed valleys between ancient lava flows andglacial moraines are where most of the large geothermal areas are located. Smaller geothermal areas can be found where fault lines reach the surface, in places along the circular fracture zone around the caldera, and at the base of slopes that collect excess groundwater.[2] Due to the Yellowstone Plateau‘s high elevation the average boiling temperature at Yellowstone’s geyser basins is 199 °F (93 °C). When properly confined and close to the surface it can periodically release some of the built-up pressure in eruptions of hot water and steam ...
Nikon D4, AF-S 28-300mm 3.5-5.6 VR
Water erupting from Yellowstone’s geysers is superheated above that boiling point to an average of 204 °F (95.5 °C) as it leaves the vent. The water cools significantly while airborne and is no longer scalding hot by the time it strikes the ground…
Nikon D4, AF-S 28-300mm 3.5-5.6 VR
Water plays an integral part in Yellowstone. I have found a common theme in all of my Yellowstone landscape images from the past week. They either included water in the form of thermal activity (steam, geysers and pools above) to the rivers and falls that carve the canyons…
Nikon D4, AF-S 28-300mm 3.5-5.6 VR
Nikon D4, AF-S 28-300mm 3.5-5.6 VR
and the many lakes that dot the landscape…
Nikon D4, AF-S 28-300mm 3.5-5.6 VR
I find myself drawn to the various water features in Yellowstone time and again to experience her beauty shrouded in mystery as the steam rises into the cold air from the warmer water…
Nikon D4, AF-S 28-300mm 3.5-5.6 VR
to the intimate details of water flowing over a rock which I photograph at slow shutter speeds blurring the water to emphasize the feeling of motion. I find a sense of peace and calm when I am near water and capturing motion blur best conveys my sense of well being in a single click, the slowing down of life to enjoy the beauty that nature has bestowed upon me…
Nikon D4, AF-S 28-300mm 3.5-5.6 VR
And when one adventure ends, my thoughts turn to return visits this coming winter when the water takes on the form of snow and ice and lends itself to dramatic landscapes and backdrops for which to photograph wildlife. Stay tuned.
GREAT JOB YOU ARE THE BEST DALE E
Thanks, Dale!