Staying
in West Yellowstone was a great advantage as every early morning I had that great
drive along side the Madison River which was often very photogenic with the early
mist.
As
one approached the main park area the morning light bathed the Madison River in
warm tones. Watch out for the Trumpeter Swans.
West
Yellowstone was an ideal location to explore Yellowstone Park. I stayed at the
Alpine Motel which is ideally situated near to the Park entrance. This first full
day was taken up with a trip to Mammoth Hot Springs. A long day ended in a long
wait in road works after 101 miles and 159 digital images. Did the first time
lapse sequenes of the trip today using the Nikon 990 taking one picture every
5 seconds or so . The camera is on a tripod the settings being 640x480 and low
jpg to ensure the speed of capture. Digi-snap was used to control the camera.
This
infrared image of the Gibbon River was taken a few miles from Gibbon Falls
Road
works between Madison and Norris made
progress difficult at times on the route to Mammoth Hot Springs so I did not have
much time to explore Gibbon Falls - above.
Always
keep your eyes open for wildlife on the road north to Mammoth. Keep the camera
ready for action. The moment you stop the car some Elk go for cover.
Roaring
Mountain, just north of Norris has many steam vents across its surface the slightest
of earth tremors can change the landscape
The
appearance of clouds can help landscape photography a great deal. The mixture
of light and shade varies
from moment to moment so you often have to be patient for the right effect.
Above
is a panorama of the most active of the terraces - New Blue Spring - which shifts
activity frequently. Two digital images were combined for this while on the right
is a single 28mm digital picture.
The thermal features are very fragile so
it is important to keep to the walkways at all times - for your own health too.
Below
is another panorama (three pictures combined) this time of Angel Terrace. Angel
Terrace was dry and crumbling for many years but resumed activity in 1985.
See
a posse of photographers complete with tripods by the roadside and you can be
sure there must be be something special on offer. It was a bit like a camera club
outing.
Another
example of the result of forest fires on the way back to Madison from Mammoth.
This
what they were all looking at. Unfortunately I did not have time to stay long
to see what developed. This was a crop from the 200mm focal length.
A
close-up of a small section of the New Blue Spring.
The
once famous Minerva Terrace now has little activity. When I was there is looked
pretty dried up. Shame, it used to be so good ten years ago.
You
are likely to bump into the odd elk while looking around Mammoth Hot Springs.
A few kind words and he might pose for you.
All
images are copyright Richard Tucker
