Making do....

I was hoping to do sunrise at West Thumb Geyser Basin in Yellowstone Park, but got there a little late.

The sun was already cresting the horizon.

Things were moving fast and I felt lucky to find this lodgepole pine tree to use as a focal point for the images.

By changing my location and staying low I was able to take advantage of the beautiful color and light.

All and all I was pretty happy with what I did silhouetting the pine tree.

Just down the road I found some more trees, but the sun was getting pretty high by then.

Lucky for me, the steam from the thermal features really helped to make interesting images.

Finally, I worked my way further along the lake to one of my favorite views. I keep going back to these lodgepole pines year after year and they're always good.











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.

 





Yellowstone sunset......

Here's a tip for photographing interesting sunsets when you're on the west side of Yellowstone Park.

 





 

Say you've been photographing elk along the Madison River and the sun has just dipped behind the mountains leaving both you and the elk in the shade.

 

If you head to the car and drive towards Old Faithful you will find there is still plenty of light at the Lower Geyser Basin.

 

 

At the far point of the Fountain Paint Pots trail is Clepsydra Geyser, which erupts almost constantly.

 

 

 

At sunset Clepsydra Geyser offers you the opportunity to make some cool images right from the boardwalk.

 

 

 

The amount of clouds in the sky will make a big difference in the amount of color in your photos.

 

 

By adjusting the aperture you can paint with the steam from Clepsydra Geyser. Freezing it with a fast shutter speed or allowing it to flow with a slower speed such as the 1/20 of a second I used here.

 

 

 

The possibilities are only limited by your imagination and the time you have before the sun goes down.

 

 



Just keep composing the shots you like and enjoy your surroundings.

 

 

The sound of the geyser erupting.

 

 

 

The smell of the nearby lodgepole pines.

 

 

 

 

And the feel of a cool breeze on your face as the sun sets. By continuing to follow the light and knowing that the Lower Geyser Basin has lots to offer at sunset you won't miss a thing.

 

 

 

Including these dead lodgepole pine trees silhouetted on the way back to the your car. If and when you photograph the Lower Geyser Basin at sunset I hope you have a night as good as mine.











 

Yelllowstone book!

Sunrise through the steam at West Thumb Geyser Basin on the shore of Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone Park.

Hey everyone,
I put together and self published a 80 page softcover book with photos of Yellowstone Park called Only Yellowstone. If you're interested you can click on the badge on the right side of this page that says 'Yellowstone book'. It will direct you to the Blurb book website where you can preview the book and purchase it if you're so inclined. Or take a look at the book preview right here. 

Only Yellowstone by Jerry Mercier

Make Your Own Book

Thanks a lot and I hope to get some new postings up very soon.
Jerry