Yellowstone is full of hot springs, bubbling mud pots and hissing geysers. One of the most famous thermal features that seems to be on every calendar, collage postcard and in every article about this beautiful national park is the Grand Prismatic Spring. Since we had never seen it before (I don't really know why) we visited it this time.
When you get there it doesn't really look like much, especially when the sun is hiding behind the clouds.
But then you get closer, and the sun leaves her hiding spot behind the clouds, and suddenly the entire scene changes!
The colors are just spectacular! You do need the sun out to see this place in all its glory. It's rather drab in overcast or even rainy weather.
I also loved the reflections of the clouds.
But it was the intense vivid color that completely fascinated me.
When you look toward the wooden hill in the picture above you can see people standing up on a small hill in the right half of the photo. Of course we had to find out how to get there.
It was only a 20 to 30 minutes walk up there and it was fully worth it, every single step. Just see for yourself.
Here you can also see the crowds - it was incredible. However, it didn't dampen our excitement about this amazing view.
If only I could bottle those colors and take them home!
It wasn't only the color, but the texture as well.
The Grand Prismatic Spring - located in the Midway Geyser Basin - is the largest hot spring in the United States and the third largest in the world. Of course it got its name for its striking colors. Its colors match the rainbow dispersion of white light by an optical prism: red, orange, yellow, green, and blue. The water is mineral rich and the colors are a result of microbial mats around the edges of the water. The spring is about 370 feet in diameter (bigger than a football field) and 160 feet deep.
10 comments:
It is incredibly beautiful, but for some reason my eyes kept taking me back to the first image. Natural perversity on my part?
I don't know, but while I admire the colours (a lot) the serenity of the first image speaks louder to me today.
You got some spectacular photos of the geyser fields. Looks like you had twice the fun -sight seeing and taking photos. That's my kind of traveling.
Carola, these picture are incredible! I didn't realize the hot springs were that beautiful. You're right, orange and turquoise, it's stunning. I'm going to send Jess over here, as she loves to travel. These truly are great pictures.
~Sheri
This is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. My palette, of course but oh my! The natural world really can move one almost to tears with its beauty.
Such a beautiful place to visit.. But unfortunately I cannot go there as both of us have severe sulfa allergy..
This is amazing! And your photos are gorgeous. I love all the vibrant colors and the reflection of clouds. Yellowstone is definitely on my "to-visit" list. Thanks for sharing!
~Jess
The wide view with all the ant people is perfect.
I don't know what to say?? This is so amazing!! WOW!!! Big Hugs!
Such astonishing beauty! Nature in all its diverse and amazing glory. I love the "big picture" ... the overlook shots that take it all in.
Hi Carola,
your photos are breathtaking and I wished, I could be there.
In 2014 I visited Iceland with the Geysir, but it isn't that much colorful. Last year I visited the Staates at my first time. We went to Portland, Greensburg and NYC. It was amazing, but sometimes too hot for me.
Best regards, Synnöve
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