Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: microbial mats

This was an absolutely amazing week away with my friends, Linda and Tony, from England. I had known Linda since she was a baby and I was four or five years old, and our parents were best friends. Believe it or not, this was only my second holiday in about 30 years! Some of you may just remember that when my Brother in England died, several of my long-time friends who lived in the same city all stepped forward and helped me deal with everything long distance, from my Brother's funeral to finding everything possible in the house a good home (sold or donated). All my parents' belongings were there, too, so it was a mammoth task to go through everything and put aside every single personal item or document, which were then shipped to me here. When Linda and Tony were planning their trip to Canada, they persuaded me to join them for this wonderful week in Yellowstone National Park. I didn't know we were also going to Grand Teton National Park and then coming home via Glacier/Waterton National Parks, too! A wonderful treat! It's not easy to remember what all the different hot springs and geysers are in Yellowstone National Park, so hopefully I am identifying them correctly. I believe this hot spring is Abyss Pool, which is near the Black Pool, at the West Thumb Geyser Basin. Amazing how similar some of them look - especially once you are back home after your trip and a year and a half has gone by! In the distance is Yellowstone Lake. "Temperature 172°F. Dimensions 30x57 feet. Depth 53 feet. Abyss Pool is a colorful and interesting pool in the West Thumb Geyser Basin. Abyss is the deepest pool known in Yellowstone and received its name for its abyss-like depth. The dark green-colored water gives the illusion of a bottomless pool. Vandalism may have changed this pool's temperature. Coins and other debris thrown in have caused the vent to plug. The reduced spring flow also reduced the pool temperature, allowing abundant algae growth along the edge and run-off channels. The extensive microbial mats now support ephydrid flies, spiders and killdeers. An unusual eruption in 1987 caused the pool to surge and temporarily destroyed the microbial mats." www.yellowstonenationalpark.com/westthumb.htm

I still haven't posted all that many photos from a week's trip last September. How we (friends from England, Linda and Tony, and myself) enjoyed ourselves at this wonderful hot springs location in Yellowstone National Park on 13 September 2012! The colours and patterns were spectacular, though this particular photo doesn't show the vivid orange colour. "The Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park is the largest hot spring in the United States, and the third largest in the world, after Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand and Boiling Lake in Dominica. It is located in the Midway Geyser Basin. Grand Prismatic Spring was noted by geologists working in the Hayden Geological Survey of 1871, and named by them for its striking coloration. Its colors include blue, green, yellow, orange, red and brown, and recall the rainbow disperson of white light by an optical prism. The vivid colors in the spring are the result of pigmented bacteria in the microbial mats that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The bacteria produce colors ranging from green to red; the amount of color in the microbial mats depends on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids and on the temperature of the water which favors one bacterium over another. In the summer, the mats tend to be orange and red, whereas in the winter the mats are usually dark green. The center of the pool is sterile due to extreme heat.... The spring is approximately 250 by 300 feet (80 by 90 m) in size and is 160 feet (50 m) deep. The spring discharges an estimated 560 US gallons (2,100 L) of 160 °F (70 °C) water per minute." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Prismatic_Spring

I still have so many photos to go through properly, taken on my week's trip with friends from England, down to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in September 2012. This photo shows one of the hot springs close to the boardwalk at West Thumb Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park.

Congratulations to Americans, everywhere! That was a pretty tense evening yesterday, waiting to see if President Obama would be elected to serve another four years, or if the US would have a brand new President. Actually, I knew the result before anyone else, lol! How? Because I fell asleep in front of the TV part way through the evening and had a great dream in which I watched Michelle Obama reacting with joy at the announcement that her husband had won, ha, ha. I woke with a start, maybe 30 seconds before the very final predictions were announced on TV, saying that Obama was in. Another view of the beautiful patterns and formations around the Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, US. You can see the steam rising from the huge spring at the top of the image. In some places, the colours were more vibrant and orange, as in my photo below. I think the photo in the comment box is perhaps my favourite photo from around the Grand Prismatic Spring. "The Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park is the largest hot spring in the United States, and the third largest in the world, after Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand and Boiling Lake in Dominica. It is located in the Midway Geyser Basin. Grand Prismatic Spring was noted by geologists working in the Hayden Geological Survey of 1871, and named by them for its striking coloration. Its colors include blue, green, yellow, orange, red and brown, and recall the rainbow disperson of white light by an optical prism. The vivid colors in the spring are the result of pigmented bacteria in the microbial mats that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The bacteria produce colors ranging from green to red; the amount of color in the microbial mats depends on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids and on the temperature of the water which favors one bacterium over another. In the summer, the mats tend to be orange and red, whereas in the winter the mats are usually dark green. The center of the pool is sterile due to extreme heat.... The spring is approximately 250 by 300 feet (80 by 90 m) in size and is 160 feet (50 m) deep. The spring discharges an estimated 560 US gallons (2,100 L) of 160 °F (70 °C) water per minute." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Prismatic_Spring

Taken at the West Thumb Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, US, on 15 September 2012. The deposits around the edge of this hot spring, Black Pool, made such a colourful contrast to the almost turquoise colour of the water. My photo shows just one small portion of the the edge, taken from the boardwalk. "The pool was cool enough up until 1991 for dark orange-brown cyanobacteria to grow throughout the pool. When combined with the blue of the water, the pool appeared to be an exceptionally dark green to almost black, hence the name." An exchange of function took place in 1991, shifting thermal energy to Black Pool and nearby Abyss Pool, causing them to heat up. Black Pool's temperature became hot enough to kill all the cyanobacteria in the pool, turning the pool a rich teal blue color. The pool also had frequent boiling eruptions on August 15, 1991, doming the water to 3 feet and causing heavy runoff. Black Pool remains extremely hot, and is now one of Yellowstone's most beautiful and intensely blue pools. The name of the pool remains "Black Pool." From Wikipedia. The dark orange-brown cyanobacteria seems to be back along this one edge of the spring. "Temperature of Black Pool is 132°F. Dimensions 40x75 feet. Depth 30 feet. Black Pool is one of the largest springs in the West Thumb Geyser Basin. The dark-colored water is the combination of the natural, transparent blue of the water and the orange algae lining of the pool. The low temperature of the pool is responsible for the abundant growth of the orange-colored microbial mats. Algae and cyanobacteria in combination with sinter deposits have created coral-like formations on the sides of the pool but these are visible for only a few feet. The pH of Black Pool is a slightly alkaline 7.8." www.yellowstonenationalpark.com/westthumb.htm

How we (friends from England, Linda and Tony, and myself) enjoyed ourselves at this wonderful hot springs location in Yellowstone National Park on 13 September 2012! The colours and patterns were spectacular, though this particular photo doesn't show the vivid orange colour. "The Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park is the largest hot spring in the United States, and the third largest in the world, after Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand and Boiling Lake in Dominica. It is located in the Midway Geyser Basin. Grand Prismatic Spring was noted by geologists working in the Hayden Geological Survey of 1871, and named by them for its striking coloration. Its colors include blue, green, yellow, orange, red and brown, and recall the rainbow disperson of white light by an optical prism. The vivid colors in the spring are the result of pigmented bacteria in the microbial mats that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The bacteria produce colors ranging from green to red; the amount of color in the microbial mats depends on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids and on the temperature of the water which favors one bacterium over another. In the summer, the mats tend to be orange and red, whereas in the winter the mats are usually dark green. The center of the pool is sterile due to extreme heat.... The spring is approximately 250 by 300 feet (80 by 90 m) in size and is 160 feet (50 m) deep. The spring discharges an estimated 560 US gallons (2,100 L) of 160 °F (70 °C) water per minute." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Prismatic_Spring

Another photo taken at Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, on 13 September 2012. The colours were just so spectacular. "The Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park is the largest hot spring in the United States, and the third largest in the world, after Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand and Boiling Lake in Dominica. It is located in the Midway Geyser Basin. Grand Prismatic Spring was noted by geologists working in the Hayden Geological Survey of 1871, and named by them for its striking coloration. Its colors include blue, green, yellow, orange, red and brown, and recall the rainbow disperson of white light by an optical prism. The vivid colors in the spring are the result of pigmented bacteria in the microbial mats that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The bacteria produce colors ranging from green to red; the amount of color in the microbial mats depends on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids and on the temperature of the water which favors one bacterium over another. In the summer, the mats tend to be orange and red, whereas in the winter the mats are usually dark green. The center of the pool is sterile due to extreme heat.... The spring is approximately 250 by 300 feet (80 by 90 m) in size and is 160 feet (50 m) deep. The spring discharges an estimated 560 US gallons (2,100 L) of 160 °F (70 °C) water per minute." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Prismatic_Spring Why Nature's beauty gets destroyed and why people get seriously injured or killed. I just don't understand the mentality of some people!! This YouTube video, of a young Oriental woman who had climbed over the railing and was walking all over the delicate and dangerous deposits just so she could get closer photos, was taken at Mammoth Hot Springs, and was accompanied by the following words: "In Yellowstone park it's dangerous AND illegal to leave the boardwalk near geothermal features. Not only is there risk of serious injury or death from acid burns, but this destroys the fragile mineral deposits, ruining the experience for future visitors.... Update: The Park Ranger I reported this to contacted me to let me know the girl was cited and fined $125." youtu.be/oVKqXsIs2mw

The contrast of deep, almost turquoise water with the white and vibrant orange deposits around the edge of hot springs in Yellowstone National Park was just breathtaking. Made for some interesting patterns and textures. Taken on 15 September, the 5th day of an amazing week's trip with friends, when we stopped at the West Thumb Geyser Basin. My photo shows part of the edge of Black Pool. "Temperature of Black Pool is 132°F. Dimensions 40x75 feet. Depth 30 feet. Black Pool is one of the largest springs in the West Thumb Geyser Basin. The dark-colored water is the combination of the natural, transparent blue of the water and the orange algae lining of the pool. The low temperature of the pool is responsible for the abundant growth of the orange-colored microbial mats. Algae and cyanobacteria in combination with sinter deposits have created coral-like formations on the sides of the pool but these are visible for only a few feet. The pH of Black Pool is a slightly alkaline 7.8." www.yellowstonenationalpark.com/westthumb.htm

Not easy to remember what all the different hot springs and geysers are, in Yellowstone National Park, so hopefully I am identifying them correctly. I believe this hot spring is Black Pool, at the West Thumb Geyser Basin. Amazing how similar some of them look - especially once you are back home after your trip and five weeks have gone by : ) "The pool was cool enough up until 1991 for dark orange-brown cyanobacteria to grow throughout the pool. When combined with the blue of the water, the pool appeared to be an exceptionally dark green to almost black, hence the name." An exchange of function took place in 1991, shifting thermal energy to Black Pool and nearby Abyss Pool, causing them to heat up. Black Pool's temperature became hot enough to kill all the cyanobacteria in the pool, turning the pool a rich teal blue color. The pool also had frequent boiling eruptions on August 15, 1991, doming the water to 3 feet and causing heavy runoff. Black Pool remains extremely hot, and is now one of Yellowstone's most beautiful and intensely blue pools. The name of the pool remains "Black Pool." From Wikipedia. The dark orange-brown cyanobacteria seems to be back along this one edge of the spring. ""Temperature of Black Pool is 132°F. Dimensions 40x75 feet. Depth 30 feet. Black Pool is one of the largest springs in the West Thumb Geyser Basin. The dark-colored water is the combination of the natural, transparent blue of the water and the orange algae lining of the pool. The low temperature of the pool is responsible for the abundant growth of the orange-colored microbial mats. Algae and cyanobacteria in combination with sinter deposits have created coral-like formations on the sides of the pool but these are visible for only a few feet. The pH of Black Pool is a slightly alkaline 7.8." www.yellowstonenationalpark.com/westthumb.htm

I really liked this particular area of hot springs in Yellowstone National Park, West Thumb Geyser Basin, as it was interesting to see how some of them were actually just off-shore, in Yellowstone Lake itself. My image shows one of the springs flowing into the lake, over the colourful deposits and growths. Taken between Big Cone and Black Pool. From this spot, we were happy to see two (or was it three?) beautiful Bald Eagles in the dead trees at the edge of the Basin. Somehow, I just wasn't expecting to see these majestic raptors in a place like this. I hope you're not getting TOO fed up of hot spring photos, especially as I still have a lot more to go through!

How we (friends from England, Linda and Tony, and myself) enjoyed ourselves at this wonderful hot springs location in Yellowstone National Park on 13 September 2012! The colours and patterns were spectacular. '"The Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park is the largest hot spring in the United States, and the third largest in the world, after Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand and Boiling Lake in Dominica. It is located in the Midway Geyser Basin. Grand Prismatic Spring was noted by geologists working in the Hayden Geological Survey of 1871, and named by them for its striking coloration. Its colors include blue, green, yellow, orange, red and brown, and recall the rainbow disperson of white light by an optical prism. The vivid colors in the spring are the result of pigmented bacteria in the microbial mats that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The bacteria produce colors ranging from green to red; the amount of color in the microbial mats depends on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids and on the temperature of the water which favors one bacterium over another. In the summer, the mats tend to be orange and red, whereas in the winter the mats are usually dark green. The center of the pool is sterile due to extreme heat.... The spring is approximately 250 by 300 feet (80 by 90 m) in size and is 160 feet (50 m) deep. The spring discharges an estimated 560 US gallons (2,100 L) of 160 °F (70 °C) water per minute." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Prismatic_Spring

This is such an amazing hot spring, photographed on 13 September 2012, during my recent week's trip with friends down to Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. This photo was taken from the boardwalk, but there is also a hill you can climb to get a higher view over the whole spring - we ran out of time to do this : ) "The Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park is the largest hot spring in the United States, and the third largest in the world, after Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand and Boiling Lake in Dominica. It is located in the Midway Geyser Basin. Grand Prismatic Spring was noted by geologists working in the Hayden Geological Survey of 1871, and named by them for its striking coloration. Its colors include blue, green, yellow, orange, red and brown, and recall the rainbow disperson of white light by an optical prism. The vivid colors in the spring are the result of pigmented bacteria in the microbial mats that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The bacteria produce colors ranging from green to red; the amount of color in the microbial mats depends on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids and on the temperature of the water which favors one bacterium over another. In the summer, the mats tend to be orange and red, whereas in the winter the mats are usually dark green. The center of the pool is sterile due to extreme heat.... The spring is approximately 250 by 300 feet (80 by 90 m) in size and is 160 feet (50 m) deep. The spring discharges an estimated 560 US gallons (2,100 L) of 160 °F (70 °C) water per minute." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Prismatic_Spring

Another view taken at Grand Prismatic Spring. This is such an amazing hot spring, photographed on 13 September 2012, during my recent week's trip with friends down to Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. This photo was taken from the boardwalk, but there is also a hill you can climb to get a higher view over the whole spring - we ran out of time to do this : ) "The Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park is the largest hot spring in the United States, and the third largest in the world, after Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand and Boiling Lake in Dominica. It is located in the Midway Geyser Basin. Grand Prismatic Spring was noted by geologists working in the Hayden Geological Survey of 1871, and named by them for its striking coloration. Its colors include blue, green, yellow, orange, red and brown, and recall the rainbow disperson of white light by an optical prism. The vivid colors in the spring are the result of pigmented bacteria in the microbial mats that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The bacteria produce colors ranging from green to red; the amount of color in the microbial mats depends on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids and on the temperature of the water which favors one bacterium over another. In the summer, the mats tend to be orange and red, whereas in the winter the mats are usually dark green. The center of the pool is sterile due to extreme heat.... The spring is approximately 250 by 300 feet (80 by 90 m) in size and is 160 feet (50 m) deep. The spring discharges an estimated 560 US gallons (2,100 L) of 160 °F (70 °C) water per minute." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Prismatic_Spring

Another view taken at Grand Prismatic Spring. This is such an amazing hot spring, photographed on 13 September 2012, during my recent week's trip with friends down to Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. This photo was taken from the boardwalk, but there is also a hill you can climb to get a higher view over the whole spring - we ran out of time to do this. "The Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park is the largest hot spring in the United States, and the third largest in the world, after Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand and Boiling Lake in Dominica. It is located in the Midway Geyser Basin. Grand Prismatic Spring was noted by geologists working in the Hayden Geological Survey of 1871, and named by them for its striking coloration. Its colors include blue, green, yellow, orange, red and brown, and recall the rainbow disperson of white light by an optical prism. The vivid colors in the spring are the result of pigmented bacteria in the microbial mats that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The bacteria produce colors ranging from green to red; the amount of color in the microbial mats depends on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids and on the temperature of the water which favors one bacterium over another. In the summer, the mats tend to be orange and red, whereas in the winter the mats are usually dark green. The center of the pool is sterile due to extreme heat.... The spring is approximately 250 by 300 feet (80 by 90 m) in size and is 160 feet (50 m) deep. The spring discharges an estimated 560 US gallons (2,100 L) of 160 °F (70 °C) water per minute." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Prismatic_Spring

This photo shows part of a low, rounded slope seen at the Black Sand Basin (an isolated group of the Upper Geyser Basin) in Yellowstone National Park. Hot water from the very nearby Cliff Guyser flows down this slope into Iron Creek. "Black Sand Basin is only about 1/2 mile from Old Faithful Geyser. It was named for the course black obsidian sand that surrounds the thermal features there." "The vivid colors are the result of pigmented bacteria in the microbial mats that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The bacteria produce colors ranging from green to red; the amount of color in the microbial mats depends on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids and on the temperature of the water which favors one bacterium over another. In the summer, the mats tend to be orange and red." From WIkipedia.