I have visited Norris Geyser basin 3 times and all three time I have run into thunderstorm. This thunderstorm caught us off guard and moved in on us rather fast. As we ran past the Pearl Spring, I had to stop and photograph this beautiful blue glow set against the back drop of setting sun and approaching storm. Varina ran ahead with the kids. Due to proximity of the lighting, I only had enough time to take one shot. Shortly after taking this shot, I ran and caught up with Varina and the kids and we reached the shelter just as the storm caught up with us. Within few minutes of reaching the shelter, the ground was covered with small marble sized hail.
The next day, the kids really wanted to see the Steamboat Geyser explode, so we made our way back to the same trail...and guess what? Yep, another storm shows up and this time it was my turn to take the kids back to the shelter while Varina was busy photographing the Norris Geyser basin. Before I took the kids back, we had enough time to take few shots...here is one of them.
Great shots , both of them , Jay . Splendid colours and eye-catching compositions . Sometimes , the best pictures derive from unexpected situautions such as you encountered . Smart presence of mind to react so quickly !
I love the mood. I like photo 1 the best. This is why smart photographers grab their cameras and run out the door during inclement weather. Too often we think if there isn't a cobalt blue sky it just isn't the right time to dig out the gear.
Extraordinary colours. I go for the second one, as being less operatically dramatic in colouring, but to me more coherent and unified in spirit. I can see why it's called Pearl Spring, but simply cannot understand the blue glow - it looks like it's lit from below. It's probably something you absolutely must see with your own eyes. Where in the world is it (not well up on US geography)?
I'm just glad you didn't get hit by lightening! Standing out there on a huge, flat expanse of land with a lightening rod - er... tripod. What were you thinking Oh... right... the same thing I was thinking the day before. "Must... get... photo..."
Both unique and stunning images. Isn't it funny how storms to us create the such great possibilities to photograph. I know my wife would have been dragging me away from here as soon as lightening was eminent.
Hazel Coffey wrote:
Where in the world is it (not well up on US geography)?
Pearl Spring is located in Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park.
aFeinPhoto.com wrote:
The colors in yellowstone are out of control. The blue and orange contrast perfectly. Way to hustle out of the way. When do we get to see Varina's ;-)
Oh... right... the same thing I was thinking the day before. "Must... get... photo..."