Yellowstone National Park's Mammoth Hot Springs have created layers of travertine over thousands of years. The layers are actively changing even today, as the flowing water lays down calcium carbonate on a daily basis. Algae living in the pools tint the travertine orange, brown, red, or green.
The rising steam looks eerie at sunrise.
Skeletons of trees killed by the thermal activity add to an other-worldly aura.
A small bird scurries around the edges of a warm pool. Apparently he finds bugs who like the steamy heat. I think he is a type of plover.
Below the springs is old Fort Yellowstone and the present day Yellowstone headquarters. The buildings are built on layers of travertine where the springs were active in the distant past.
Two happy kids were awarded Junior Ranger patches in the visitor center. The ranger made an announcement to everyone in the center. The visitors politely applauded, and the new junior rangers glowed!
Little bro is watching. No doubt he's planning to get his patch next year.
I first learned of the junior ranger program on
Gaelyn's blog. If you're traveling to a national park, check to see if there is an associated junior ranger program there. It's fun for all, I guarantee.
great photos...I love the one of the man appearing through the steam...fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the photos of your trip to Yellowstone. Those Grands are so CUTE!
ReplyDeleteI really want to see this area in the winter. Pretty photos!
ReplyDeleteThat's an amazing landscape. It must have blown the kids (and parents ... and grandparents) minds!
ReplyDeleteMore of Mother Nature's sculptures. The Jr Ranger program teaches so much, to young and old alike.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos from Yellowstone and Mammoth. MY favorite park! The shot of the kids and their badges is cute. BTW, I love your header photo, it is gorgeous. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures. I love the Lamar Valley closeby. And the elk who call Mammoth home when they come down from the high country...
ReplyDeleteThe kids are so cute, looks like they had fun with the Junior Ranger program. Great pictures!
ReplyDeletecongrats to the Jr. Rangers...great photos Janie...
ReplyDeleteHAHA....that bird looks as though he is tiptoeing across the hot water yelping with each step. (Or that's what my imagination played out when I saw it;)
ReplyDeleteLove their sweet smiles!
My favorite images here are the second and third. The man walking through the mist with the large vaporous sun is breathtaking, and the stark landscape of dead trees following simply surreal.
ReplyDeleteNice shot of the Terrace and happy Jr Rangers! We call those little birds "sandpipers"--not sure if that's taxonomically correct though.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos Janie. I especially love the lil' rangers and the soon-to-be-ranger. :)
ReplyDeleteYour little bird looks like our Kildeer (which is a Plover) The scenery is unique and well photographed, but the good-looking trio of children get my vote as best picture!
ReplyDeleteAs always, I loved your photographs. The Junior Rangers are adorable.
ReplyDeleteThe kids DO look happy about being Junior Rangers!
ReplyDeleteTravertine? I think I missed that when I visited Yellowstone many years ago.
Nature gave Steve a nice hot steam bath at Yellowstone Park.
ReplyDeleteI love the shot of your happy little park rangers showing off their new badges.
Happy trails Janie,
Pam
I remember Mammoth Springs well. It's so beautiful and unusual.
ReplyDeleteI thought these were some very unique formations--although we were attacked by some very ferocious bees while we were there.
ReplyDeleteIt does look other-worldly, doesn't it? The Junior Ranger scheme seems an excellent idea - congratulations to the little ones:-)
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