The earth shadow (dark blue band in the lower left) and the Belt of Venus (the pink band) were amazingly strong on this particular morning. The pink color is due to the backscattering of reddened light as the sun rises or sets. I was the only one out at Castle Geyser listening to it steam.
These trees sit in the runoff from Black Sand Pool near Old Faithful. The trees grew for many years before the runoff from the hot spring changed course and drowned the trees, killing them. These trees have been here for a long time and will continue to stand. Now they stand in silent testament to the ever-changing landscape of Yellowstone.
The bear decided to climb this dead tree, possibly to get a better view or out of curiosity. The bear climbed a little higher, looked around and then decended the tree, rear first, and wandered off into the sagebrush.
