Slickrock and Shadow

Emerald Pool at Norris Geyser Basin Yellowstone has too many nooks to explore in a lifetime.  Having visited Norris Geyser basin occasionally over the last 30 years, I've always wanted to explore what they labeled "back basin."  This is a longer trek than the "porcelain basin" to the right.  The first think you reach is the beautiful Emerald Pool.  Though lacking the green emerald color, the light wonderful blues make it a highlight. Next comes the highest geyser in the world, Steamboat Springs.  I wasn't shooting off for me so I worked my way down the ramp to the lower basin.  I liked the view back up towards Steamboat and shot the following picture when the cloud came into the right position. Hot Drainage below Steamboat Geyser Then several lovely pools followed.  Echinus is the largest and the most red/orange.  Several in the shades of green and blue come here and there. Echinus Geyser is really a pool Abstract detail shot a...

Rainbow and Old Faithful Rainbow formation is actually a very predictable event.  With the right alignment of light and water in the air a rainbow will happen every time.  A rainbow in Yellowstone Park can be a nice photographic companion to a geyser eruption.  Old Faithful on a sunny afternoon, later in the day when crowds have thinned a little bit demonstrates this phenomenon. The sunshine is coming from the West.  The prevailing wind also comes from that direction.  This spreads the water into the air on the east side of the geyser.  In order to see this in the best light, I would recommend being on the south west or directly south of the geyser itself.  The effect is short lived.  You may see it for about 30-60 seconds before it disappears.  Enjoy.