June 2017 Favorite Photos
While sifting through the photos taken in June, I realized I’m not making enough photos. I’m not pausing to find the photo – but rather just falling into more of a photographic rut. That rut takes the form of documentation photos of the thermal features. So, as a way...
Upper Geyser Basin Late June 2017
I recently spent three nights in the Old Faithful area and four delightful days spent taking notes on what I saw and visiting with friends. While I still need to go through more files, I’m starting to take more of the approach I do to scrapbooking and just find...
Watching Ledge Spring Erupt
Ledge Spring is one of the thermal features at West Thumb that has benefited from the energy increase that started last August with the appearance of “Waterfall Geyser.” In just a few days, this spring when from lower water and a crater lined with brown microbes to...
Updates from West Thumb early June 2017
The thermal energy continues to slowly increase at West Thumb Geyser Basin. This dynamic geyser basin is used to energy shifts, but this one is pretty good and will be fun to watch what happens over the summer. At best, I’m hoping to see another geyser or two...
Fountain Paint Pots area update early June 2017
More changes happening in Yellowstone – which really isn’t news, but change is always fun to watch. This time it’s in the Lower Geyser Basin in the Fountain Paint Pots area. A new vent has opened up near Clepsydra Geyser that’s known to be a fairly constant performer...
Spasmodic Geyser Observations 23 April 2017
It’s sometimes easiest to understand field notes by simply seeing how someone else keeps theirs. And since the Sawmill Group is acting differently this spring, I want to get my field notes out where others can see them for themselves. This way, if others decide to...
Sawmill Geyser is taking a break
As the summer 2017 season in Yellowstone starts to bring in more reports, there are some changes happening in the Sawmill Group. This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you follow a link and make a purchase, I receive a smallportion of that purchase at...
Updates from West Thumb – Early May 2017
Last week I took a survey flight over Yellowstone mainly to check on the thermal features at West Thumb as well as gather photos for my next book. In particular, I wanted to see if the geyser that started to erupt last August was still active or if the energy had...
Taking a Flight over Yellowstone – May 2017
I just couldn’t stand it any longer – wondering what has happened over at West Thumb with the new geyser that broke out last summer. I heard that it was still active as of closing day of the winter season from a ranger over at West Thumb/Grant. Since I also need...
Why is it called Black Pool when it’s blue?
One of the most often asked questions at West Thumb Geyser Basin is, “Why is it called Black Pool when it’s blue?” This NPS photo from 1978 shows how it used to look, which is black. The microbes lining the surface of the crater were said to be a dark orange or brown...
Late March 2017 Phenology Report
It’s been a gray, drizzly day today as I write this and the driveway is full of fallen catkins from the neighbor’s aspen trees. Tomorrow has the forecast of snow showers followed by a day of sun and yet another system to move in after that. Daffodils and crocuses are...
March 11 – Saturday Phenology Drive
The bluebirds are back! The image above comes from a friend of mine out in Wapiti who reported seeing the first ones arrive on March 10 this year. Often it’s just the males first, but this year quite a few pairs showed up together and already house hunting. So...