Dean M. Chriss
Photography
Cloud Factory, Great Fountain Geyser, Yellowstone National Park

Cloud Factory

(Click image to enlarge)

As the season's first winter storm starts clearing, a ray of sunlight illuminates steam billowing from Yellowstone's Great Fountain Geyser, creating the "Cloud Factory" image seen above. The geyser's maximum height ranges from about 75 feet (23 m) to over 220 feet (67 m). Its duration is usually about one hour but durations of over two hours have been seen.