Thursday, February 13, 2014

Paint ‘n Mud Pots

Geysers in Yellowstone always capture my fascinationDSC03084.  Standing next to active volcanic activity is stunning.  You never know what the ground will do.  Bison seem to inherently know where they can stand or notDSC03085…some of the ground is concrete like while others is thin…just covering superheated waterDSC03086.  The Bison know where to go…for me, I’ll stay on the train.  More than a few have been boiled to death by falling into these geysers or falling through the thin crustDSC03087.  One of my favorite sights?  Paint and mud potsDSC03088.  They are a mesmerizing thing to watchDSC03089.  The still cold air is occasionally disturbed by the wet plop of an exploding bubbleDSC03090.  There’s always a sense of urgency to the geysers…even when they are sullenly quietDSC03091.  They can go from nearly silentDSC03092to active at the drop of a hatDSC03093.  Near the geysers are trees coated with interesting frost designsDSC03094.  The steam rolls off the geysers and quickly freezes on nearby treesDSC03096.  I’ve never seen anything like it anywhere elseDSC03098.  The stark majesty of this place always awes meDSC03099.  I just love thisDSC03100.  God is an artist for sureDSC03101.  NearDSC03102or far…you can see you’re in a giant volcanoeDSC03103.  The evidence of life’s struggle to hang on is everywhereDSC03104.  As strong and able to adapt as these trees are they don’t always win the struggleDSC03105.  This is a land of fire and iceDSC03106.  Steam can bring up elements to create a deadly gasDSC03107, eruptions can spontaneously eruptDSC03108but the danger reaches out and draws you inDSC03109.  You cannot look awayDSC03110and I’m always hesitant to leaveDSC03111.  What if I turn away and miss somethingDSC03112?  Time to move on like it or not.  I’m left with the ironic glimpse of green in this placeDSC03113.  Life and death, heat and cold…grass and Bison poopDSC03115.

14 comments:

  1. What is not to love in these pictures, Joe? I am fascinated. I have never been there nor am I likely to and I so wish I could.

    I would be too chicken to get any closer than "they" say I could as I am unlike a Bison who knows wherein he may step. :-)

    Totally gorgeous. What a glorious section of America you live in that you are able to go see these magnificent creations.

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    1. Every state has its beauty and this is one I particularly love. Much of this is actually in Wyoming. We crossed the state line in the park itself. So glad to share it with you!

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  2. Gorgeous nature captures, Joe. Even mud pots can be beautiful, at least yours are. :)

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    1. The name certainly isn't very flattering but I think they're beautiful too :)

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  3. Those are awesome photos Joe. What wonderful sights to see. Thanks for sharing with us all!

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  4. Love those snow-covered pines!! And as far as geysers, Old Faithful is on my Bucket List :)

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    1. I hope you get the chance to see it all. Summer is often very crowded but it's all worth seeing no matter what the season.

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  5. You are very interrently to mesmlring thing to watch for you Joe!
    The stark majesty of place always awes me I just love this god in an artie for sure I can see a giant Volcanoe. Steam can bring up elements to create a deadle gas..
    Joe! I can looking at wonderful sights the steam off geysers ..Thank you Joe!

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  6. I should have said WY. when I commented as I knew that part at least. But both States are fabulous in beauty as I remember from my nephew's pictures that he sent back on Spaces. I asked his permission to share them. Had a lot of comments from folks who lived there or had been in the States he took so many pictures of. Those were the days....Spaces.

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    1. Those really were the days. Not a day goes by when I don't miss Spaces.

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  7. Oh what a dream world Yellow stone is in the winter. You have captured so much beauty in it. I would love to visit there in the winter one time.

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    1. I've only done it twice in my life, always an unforgettable experience!

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