Yellowstone is one of the most unique places that I have ever experienced. One thing I was not expecting the first time I got to Yellowstone was the abundance of thermal features here. Of course I knew about Old Faithful, but I was unaware that this park holds 60% of the world’s thermal features. After exploring the various boardwalks I noticed how unique and colorful each feature was. It turns out that the temperature, pressure, acidity, etc. leads to this uniqueness. For instance, different temperatures lead to different bacteria that can thrive in these extreme environments. Bacterial Mats — or multi-layer sheet of bacteria — covers thermal areas, creating beautiful colors and designs. These mats are very sensitive to change, from temperature, to the oils from our skin, or if they are stepped on. I have found taking photos of these mats show that even the smallest organisms in the park add to is incredible beauty. It has increased my appreciation for the park and I hope these photos help increase others appreciation and highlight how fragile this ecosystem is.