Ghost Trees

The constant emission of steam and vapor from thermal features alternately thaws and refreezes snow accumulating on Yellowstone’s plant communities, especially its trees. “Ghost trees” abound in the park’s thermal areas such as this one near Old Faithful. I was drawn to this scene by the shadow of the smallest tree in the picture. The Old Faithful area, Norris Geyser Basin, West Thumb Geyser Basin, and Canary Spring in Mammoth are traditionally good places to observe this phenomena.