Yellowstone, Grand Teton and a glance of the Glacier
I took two of my film cameras -- Hasselblad and Mamiya 645 loaded with Kodak Portra 160 and Kodak Ektar 100 respectively.
During our five days trip we got frost, snow, rain, hail, sun, mist, clouds and storm. I soon realized that what I was experiencing and capturing in my camera and film is nothing but a magical interplay of colors and forms in nature. This trend continued not only in the Yellowstone National Park, but also in the Grand Teton National Park and the Glacier national Park, where we spent only about an hour during our journey back home.
I hope to go back to these places again in future. But till then the memories and the photos will be my companion to remind me how we all are nothing but mere snippets of a greater celebration called nature.
Frosted Forest
Our journey at the Yellowstone National Park started at the frosted world on the banks of Madison River.
Golden Gate Canyon
"Bridging the Golden Gate Canyon was one of the most difficult and expensive challenges engineers faced when building the first roads through the park. The first bridge was built in 1885. This bridge was dangerously unstable by 1900. The bridge was rebuilt in 1900, 1933 and 1977 using newer materials and engineering each time"
Norris Geyser Basin
When we reached Norris Geyser Basin, it was still frosted from last night. However, the steaming basin was full of hot geysers.
Norris Geyser Basin
Norris geyser basin was our first real encounter with the totally unnatural natural phenomenon -- geyser basin. This is one of the most well known geothermal areas of the Yellowstone National Park. There are 193 geysers in this area.
Norris Geyser Basin
They made boardwalks through the basin. You would be inviting danger if you step out!
Norris Geyser Basin
It was amazing to see some snow side-by-side the warm geysers.
Lonely Life
Norris Geyser Basin
Hey Kid!
Norris Geyser Basin
Geyser
Norris Geyser Basin
Sheepeater Cliff
A series of exposed cliffs made up of columnar basalt.
Sheepeater Cliff
October might be cold, but I thought it was a very interesting time to visit Yellowstone, particularly because of the fall colours.
Layers
I loved the small pull up areas along the roads in Yellowstone National Park. Most roads are single lane, yet you will get enough opportunities to stop your car and capture the beauty of nature.
Levels
The average elevation of the Yellowstone Plateau is 8,000 feet (2,400 m). Some roads are overlooking amazing landscapes below the road level.
Upper Terraces Area
Mammoth Hot Springs. This a world of heat-loving microorganisms called "thermophiles". Billions of them live, die, and are buried in Mammoth Hot Springs.
Tourists at the top
Mammoth Hot Springs
Color steps
Mammoth Hot Springs. "Like flowering plants, colorful cyanobacteria use light for energy. If other microorganisms did not consume hydrogen sulfide gas near the vents, these sun-loving microbes would be poisoned."
Cynic scenery
"Heated deep underground, water rises through buried limestone, then deposit the mineral calcite above ground. he calcite hardens, becoming travertine. As hot spring water flows, trees, grasses and even the thermophiles die and entombed!"
Colors and clouds
Mammoth Hot Springs
Volcanic vista
Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Hot Springs
On the edge
Mammoth Hot Springs
Cupid Spring
Mammoth Hot Springs
Draconian design
"Mammoth Hot Springs. Yellowstone's hot springs are among Earth's most extreme environments. Yet life survives and thrives in conditions that would be lethal to humans. Scientists studying hot spring habitants are learning about life's limits on earth. What they learn here may also aid the search for life in other planets. "
Cupid spring
Mammoth Hot Springs
Touch the sky
I
II
III
Upper Falls of the Yellowstone
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Lower Falls of the Yellowstone
Upper falls, from another angle
Towering forms
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Paint pot
Connection
"Change is the only constant!"
Mud pot
Firehole Falls
Sun kissed
Touchdown
The Orphan
The Crossing
As of 2016 there were about 5000 bisons at the Yellowstone National Park.
Hot pot
Erupting Old Faithful
Can you see the little rainbow?
Old Faithful
Colors
Grand Prismatic Spring
Firehole river
Towards Grand Prismatic Spring
Water meets water
Grand Prismatic Spring
Firehole river
Near Grand Prismatic Spring