Spiritual Awakenings, Memory and Nature
While my initial impetus was driven by a need to capture the design, color, form, and art inherent in the Yellowstone geothermal pools, I found myself documenting them with the rigor of the 18th-century scientific explorers I had studied during my childhood in Colombia, South America. The exploratory spirit of Alexander von Humboldt and particularly the meticulous botanical renderings of José Celestino Mutis had left a lifelong impression on me and served as guiding influences. I was also searching for written metaphysical knowledge on the surfaces of these pools much the same way a Mayan priest searches for the magic spell a God had written on the skin of a jaguar in Jorge Luis Borges' short story, La Escritura del Dios (The God's Script).

In capturing these portraits, I took great care to use the most beneficial angle of available light, setting my tripod as firmly as possible, and using a remote control to minimize blurring caused by shaking. I found myself unconsciously tilting the lens just so in an effort to simultaneously render a scientific document while creating an artistic rendition. Using a single prime lens, I took great care to frame a distinct form in every portrait, efforts designed to shape a clear vision and voice. I now believe these technical and non-technical efforts were guided not only by my lifelong deep connection with nature but also by the spiritual state of grace I was experiencing that week and during my journeys through the North American landscape.

I camped by the shore of the Yellowstone River, and for seven straight days, I trekked and hiked to numerous geothermal pools to take these portraits from sunrise to dusk. Except for a brief exchange with a woman park ranger, when I showed her some of these photographs on my camera—her reaction of wonder fueling my exercise—I exchanged no words with another soul the entire week.

At the end of each workday, I would have supper by my tent, then walk a few steps and sit lotus-like by the shore of the Yellowstone River, in much-needed spiritual silence, my Pueblo blanket wrapped around my shoulders. From that vantage point, I saw an osprey eagle hover over the river, then dive and catch fish for her offspring. Her majestic span of wings still glides with grace in my mind. I watched bison across the river graze and move with deliberate calm. One day, a white or gray wolf would trot my way out of a forest to about 25 yards, our eyes locked in wonder and curiosity while she poked her nose to and fro in the wind searching for my scent, neither she or I ever expressing fear. The same unique smirk of measured joy still blooms on my face each time I recall the encounter. Then, my only constant companions were a tiny gang of chipmunks who would scoot and hide near me while I ate breakfast by my tent, their comings and goings providing playful joy to my silent days in this Yellowstone ashram.

There was a primordial reason for my state of spiritual grace during my visit to Yellowstone. After spending over a decade working in the corporate mind-harvesting cubicle farms of New York and logging my finite hours on subway trains from a small apartment to the cubicle mazes, I was unknowingly seeking solace, silence, a meditative state, a cleansing of my spirit and mind, rebirth and regeneration, and ultimately a reconnection with nature.

I believe I found that and I hope I captured that and so much more in Elk River. My wish is that my state of grace is keenly and beautifully reflected in these portraits with the same lifeforce that burned through me when I made them and that they can imbue your days with mysticism and wonder.

It is my hope Elk River highlights the delicate interplay between geology, chemistry, biology, scientific exploration and documentation, the art and design inherent in nature, and the hidden metaphysical spells that invoke these natural wonders.

The Science Behind Yellowstone
The geothermal pools at Yellowstone National Park exhibit stunning and vibrant colors due to a combination of heat-loving microorganisms and mineral deposits. These pools are heated by geothermal activity beneath the Earth's crust, creating an environment where thermophilic (heat-loving) bacteria and algae thrive. These microorganisms, including cyanobacteria such as Synechococcus and Chloroflexus aurantiacus, form colorful mats and colonies around the edges of the pools, creating a palette of reds, oranges, yellows, greens, and blues.

The vivid colors are primarily a result of the different types of microorganisms present, each thriving at various temperature ranges. For instance, the deep blue center of some pools, like the Grand Prismatic Spring, is due to the extreme heat where few organisms can survive, resulting in clear, deep water that reflects the sky. The outer rings, where temperatures are cooler, host a variety of microorganisms that produce pigments to protect themselves from the intense sunlight, creating a gradient of colors. The pigments, such as chlorophyll, carotenoids, and phycobilins, not only aid in photosynthesis but also serve as a defense mechanism against UV radiation.

Photosynthesis, a crucial process for many of these microorganisms, involves converting sunlight into energy. Cyanobacteria, for example, contain chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for capturing light energy. This energy is then used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, sustaining the microorganisms and contributing to the vibrant green and blue hues observed in the pools. Synechococcus, which thrives in temperatures up to 167°F (75°C), and Chloroflexus aurantiacus, which prefers slightly cooler temperatures, are examples of such photosynthetic bacteria. These microorganisms are microscopic, typically ranging from 0.5 to 5 micrometers in size, yet they have a profound impact on the visual appearance of the geothermal pools.

Mineral deposits, such as silica, sulfur, and calcium carbonate, also contribute to the unique textures and colors seen in the pools. These minerals can form intricate patterns and layers on the pool surfaces and surrounding areas, adding to the visual richness of the geothermal features. Silica, in particular, precipitates out of the hot water as it cools, creating sinter terraces and crusts that further enhance the visual diversity.

The History of Yellowstone
The Yellowstone National Park, established in 2.2 million acres, is rich in natural beauty and historical significance. Long before it became a national park, the area was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Shoshone, Bannock, Blackfoot, Crow, and Nez Perce. These tribes utilized the land for hunting, fishing, and gathering, and they had a profound spiritual connection to the geothermal features, often incorporating them into their cosmologies and legends.

The geothermal activity of Yellowstone was seen by Native Americans as the work of powerful spirits. The Shoshone, for example, believed that the geysers and hot springs were the breath of the Earth, a sign of the living spirit within. The Crow and other tribes regarded the region's geothermal wonders as sacred spaces, where the Earth's energy was most palpable and potent.

In the 19th century, explorers and trappers began to document the unique landscape of Yellowstone, leading to increased interest and eventual scientific exploration. The famous Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition of 1870, followed by the Hayden Geological Survey of 1871, provided detailed reports and stunning illustrations of Yellowstone's geothermal features, capturing the public's imagination and leading to the park's establishment.

Early French trappers referred to the Yellowstone River as the Elk River due to the abundant elk populations in the area. The French word for elk is "Elan," which the trappers translated to Elk River. Over time, the name Yellowstone, derived from the Minnetaree (Hidatsa) Indian term Mi tsi a-da-zi, meaning Yellow Rock River, became the commonly accepted name for the river and the park. Although the Minnetaree did not live in the Yellowstone region, their description of the yellow sandstone bluffs along the river was adopted by early explorers and trappers.

Today, Yellowstone continues to be a place of scientific interest, natural wonder, and cultural significance, preserving the rich tapestry of its geological and human history.

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