Grand Prismatic Spring I

photograph of the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park

As hot mineral water seeps out of the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park it leaves tiny layers of minerals.  The heat of the water provides an ideal environment for bacteria, which grow in colorful mats over the wavy mineral deposits.  The end result is an amazing display of color and texture.

Geothermal Features

photograph of geothermal features near Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park

The constant bubbling of mineral infused, hot water leaves colorful, thin layers of sediment throughout the geothermal areas of Yellowstone National Park.  The hot spring in the foreground of this photo reminds me of a lunar crater while the colorful cliff and distant steam behind it add to the other-worldliness of the scene.

Dragon's Mouth

photograph of the Dragon's Mouth steam vent in Yellowstone National Park

One of the geothermal features we liked best at the Mud Volcano in Yellowstone National Park was “Dragon’s Mouth”.  The combination of steam and the deep, hissing and gurgling sounds that occasionally come from the vent make the name somewhat self explanatory when you’re there.

Evening At Grand Prismatic Spring

photograph of the board walk around Grand Prismatic Spring at Yellowstone National Park

The sun hung low in the sky as I made my way toward the Grand Prismatic Spring, in Yellowstone National Park.  I liked the strong contrast of the sun reflecting off the water and the silhouettes of the mountains and other park visitors.

Landing Zone

photograph of bird tracks on a beach

Animal tracks always catch my attention but they aren’t always very photogenic.  These bird prints were on a beach along the James River.  It would be impossible to identify the type of bird that left them but the deeper, wider prints in the foreground indicate the bird landed here and then hopped along the beach before taking flight.  The early morning sun provided enough shade within the prints to make them stand out in the photo.

River Cairns

photo of rocks stacked in the James River

During a walk along the James River I noticed these cairns out among the natural rock formations.  Perhaps they were put their by a paddler as a way to mark their take out point?

Stones Along the Shore

photograph of stones along the shoreline

This photograph was taken on Hog Island Wildlife Management Area, along the James River, near Surry, VA.  It was a cold February morning, just after dawn.  While the entire scene looks wet, it was actually frozen.  The sand along the shore was a hard as cement and the foam around the river stones had been turned to ice.

Steaming Stump

photograph of steam coming off a log as snow melts

When I arrived at the edge of the lake, this stump was absorbing the sun.  As the dark wood warmed snow was converted into a small cloud of steam.  As a result, this photo shows all three forms of water:  frozen (snow), liquid (water), and vapor (steam).

Autumn Morning Fog on the James

photograph of the James River in early morning fogThis photo was taken about 30 minutes after sunrise on an early December day.  Our neighborhood was shrouded in fog and I hoped to capture it hanging over the river.  Normally fog clings heavily to the river but this day was different. I was a little disappointed but enjoyed this view from one of Richmond’s many bridges over the James River.