It has to be cold........

to get a column of steam like this from Excelsior Geyser

 

at the Midway Geyser Basin. It was 17 degrees on a beautiful May morning in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

 

 

 

The Firehole River leads to the geyser basin. I prefer photographing geysers and thermal features when it's colder so the steam can really show.

 

 

 

Then it's just a matter of choosing different compositions and enjoying the moment.

 

 

 

It had been a few years since I last shot Midway with decent morning steam, so I was thrilled with the opportunity.

 

 

 

After working this angle I parked at the actual geyser basin and walked to the river.

 

 

 

A bus load of tourists arrived and some were crossing the bridge as I photographed it and a runoff channel from Excelsior Geyser.

 

 

 

Here's another view of the runoff channel.

 

 

 

After crossing the bridge I found small groups of lodgepole pines that had been frosted by the geysers steam during the night. The ice was quickly melting in the morning sun.

 

 

 

I shot the sun through Excelsior's steam.

 

 

 

And visitors on the boardwalk near Grand Prismatic Spring.

 

 

 

What a super morning in Yellowstone.