22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Burning Ground

As you see the vapors lift from the ground and appear to touch the sky, you can understand the Mammoth Hot Springs being called, "land of the burning ground" , "many smoke" or "land of vapors" by the indigenous people. As the first national park, Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Spring help soften sheep horns to make bows for the Sheepeaters, while other tribes believed the hot springs provided medicinal cures.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2024
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: Wy, United States of America
Camera: ILCE-7M3
Copyright: © P. Warner