Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: interestingness#125

Such amazing formations can be seen at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park. I thought it would be so easy to remember, or at least place on a map, each of the different formations we saw and photographed. However, I'm finding it more difficult than I thought, especially as many of the formations change over the years and so other photos on the Internet often look different. I think this was Minerva Terrace, but would really appreciate it if anyone out there can either confirm or correct my ID - thanks! I visited Mammoth Hot Springs and the rest of Yellowstone National Park 30+ years ago, when my kids were very young. Loved Mammoth Hot Springs, so was thrilled to get the chance to see this fascinating area again. This time, it was while I was on a wonderful week's holiday with special friends from England, in September 2012. We visited Mammoth Hot Springs on 12 September. "Mammoth Hot Springs is a large complex of hot springs on a hill of travertine in Yellowstone National Park ... It was created over thousands of years as hot water from the spring cooled and deposited calcium carbonate (over two tons flow into Mammoth each day in a solution). Although these springs lie outside the caldera boundary, their energy has been attributed to the same magmatic system that fuels other Yellowstone geothermal areas... A caldera is a cauldron-like volcanic feature usually formed by the collapse of land following a volcanic eruption. They are sometimes confused with volcanic craters." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammoth_Hot_Springs For a diagram of the Hot Springs layout: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MammothHotSprings.JPG Map of Yellowstone National Park: hfc.nps.gov/carto/PDF/YELLmap2.pdf

I was so happy to see this Pink Powder Puff shrub in the new Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo - I believe this is a dwarf one. The one they had in the old Conservatory was a much bigger shrub and the flowers were red, but maybe this small one will simply grow bigger? Just got back home from a very quick trip to a local park - well, it was quick getting there, but, oh boy, I must have caught rush hour on the way home. Had great fun watching a Porcupine that was up in a Spruce tree, nibbling on the branches. A real treat!

A colorful glimpse at a very small Mum flower, seen through my Raynox 250 macro lens. Didn't have it zoomed in the whole way, though, which is why it's a more distant photo. Just thought the colour and light were quite pretty. Finding it less easy to come up with photos and actually posting them at the moment - not because I don't have any, but going into my archives is not what I particularly like doing. I seem to have lost a bit of my passion for photography at the moment - partly because some of the things I love to photograph are over till next year. Certainly have lost my passion for going on walks, which is not good at all. The recent snow and cold we had started this feeling, but even though we are having pleasant weather right now, I just can't make myself get out there : ) It's just so much easier to stay home. Several things are weighing on my mind and, even though they aren't taking up any of my time, they do have an emotional effect on me because I know they are difficult times for those involved. My brother in England is in hospital after what they think was a mild heart attack recently. Sounds as if they might put in a stent. And my oldest daughter goes in for her bi-annual surgery the day after tomorrow. My youngest daughter from Vancouver had to move back to Calgary a few days ago, as she was unable to find a new job out there. I will have to really push myself to get out there somewhere, preferably before the snow returns : )