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20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Footprints in the Geyser Basin

Photo taken on September 19, 2022 in Yellowstone National Park, WY. THE STORY In September 2022, I took a trip to Yellowstone National Park to experience the incredible wildlife that the US has to offer. While on the trip I did a wildlife safari tour, hiked a couple trails to see the geysers and waterfalls, and saw the bison in herds crossing the roads or grazing in the fields among the absolutely stunning landscape that Western Wyoming has to offer. One afternoon, I walked the boardwalk around the Excelsior, Opal, Turquoise, and Grand Prismatic Springs. As the wind brushed the steam across my face, I noticed hoofprints left from someone trekking their way through the shallow water of the Geyser Basin. Obviously something decided that the boardwalk was not the best route through the steamy landscape.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2022
Date Uploaded: 10.2022
Photo Location: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States of America
Camera: NIKON D3400
Copyright: © Leah Desrochers