lonely clump delicate grass survives bare hydrothermal crust

navigate by keyword : alive alone bacteria badland bare barren brown calcified calcium clouds clump colored colorful coloring crust dead delicate deposited difficult dissolved environment filigree firm geological geyser grass gray grey growing harsh hot hydrothermal landscape life lifeless lonely minerals national natural nature nobody norris obstinate one outdoors park perseverance persistent plant salt scenery scenic silica single spring strong survival survives thermal tough unfaltering unyielding wasteland water white wilderness wyoming yellow yellowstone

Lonely clump of delicate grass survives on bare hydrothermal crust

Hydrothermal plain wetted by hot spring run-off. Dissolved minerals in the water deposited a crust of white silica. The brown coloring originates from bacteria that use caratinoids for photosynthesis and minerals. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Norris Geyser Basin