A view of Yellowstone Lake from West Thumb Geyser Basin
In all my prior visits to Yellowstone National Park Gus and I have never stopped to explore the West Thumb Geyser Basin. So, as we came around the south end of the park we decided to stop here and explore someplace new. The juxtaposition of hot springs and cold, clear blue water is striking. We walked the boardwalks wide-eyed and full of wonder.
Common Ravens were the most common bird I saw!
I could not believe the shades of blue in these springs!
Some were crystal clear, and some chalky blue or white.
Bacterial mats and algae paint rainbows along the edges.
This water looked so refreshing as the day heated up.
But the wind was whipping the water into white-capped waves!
And in those waves I found a Common Merganser!
We were surprised to learn there were not boardwalks here until the 1990’s! People used to run freely over this ground endangering the hot springs and themselves!
This spring looks so tempting it makes you want to take a swim, but this water is so hot it will scald the flesh right off your bones!
Bacterial mats and algae form as the water cools as it flows away from the springs towards the lake.
That white crust surrounding this clear spring is thin and will collapse beneath your feet if you step on it! Stay on the boardwalks!
After living in the dry and dusty brown and gray-green desert these cool blues and greens are so refreshing to my eyes!
Birds Seen at West Thumb Geyser Basin:
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Common Merganser
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gull species (immatures flying around)
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Common Raven
Trip to Yellowstone and Utah 2013
Yellowstone is such a land of contrasts and colors.
ReplyDeleteGaelyn, it sure is!
DeleteHI Kathie Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos and text. The colours are stunning.I am not surprised there are not many birds around.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, it's because fall migration is well underway and most have left the area.
DeleteThermal areas are fascinating with the colours, steam etc. At one we visited in New Zealand, there were swallows flying through the steam capturing the small insects which were abundant because of the warmth.
ReplyDeletehappy wanderer, I saw the same thing happening with the ravens and the blackbirds!
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