Bridges of Bridge Bay examines the three bridges, the body of water, the resort location, and the landscape formation that can be found at Bridge Bay in Yellowstone National Park. The body of water, Bridge Bay, is part of Yellowstone Lake. A series of photographs taken along the shores of Bridge Bay during the first snow in the fall of 2018. The second location is the resort, Bridge Bay, which includes a campground and as photographed here, a marina. During the time of my visit the marina was closed for the season, and so it provided for a unique experience to capture the abandoned marina against the winter landscape. The third and final location is the Natural Bridge, a geological formation that can be reached by hiking a trail in Bridge Bay.
Photo is taken in Bridge Bay on Yellowstone Lake. My visit to Yellowstone National Park took place in October during the final week of the summer season. This morning was the first snowfall of the season. The sun came up and started to melt the snow. The beach is mostly clear at this point, and the snow is starting the melt on the grass. The water was very calm that morning which allowed for mirror reflections of the clouds in the water.
Taken at the same location in Bridge Bay as Sunburst over Yellowstone Lake. If you compare the photos, you can see the boulder on the lakeshore and peninsula point in the distance. Focuses on the snow resting on a short pine tree in the foreground and leaves the background imagery softly out of focus.
A different perspective of Sunburst over Yellowstone Lake. Vertical orientation with the sun just out of frame, and the grass more prominently in the foreground.
Taken at the same location in Bridge Bay as Sunburst over Yellowstone Lake. This is the tree grouping on the right side of the frame but taken from the opposing side looking back in the opposite direction. Behind the trees the clouds extend all the way down to the water line obscuring the shore in fog. This just emphasizes how much the weather can change depending on where you are in Yellowstone.
This photograph is still captured on Bridge Bay but across from the location of the other photos. I liked this viewpoint and how light and shadow played over the forest and hills combined with the snow in the trees.
During my visit certain visitor areas in Yellowstone National Park had already been shut down for the season. One of those was the Bridge Bay Marina. I found the pristine abandoned dock against the overcast winter background an interesting composition. At the time of this photograph the water was calmer so the clouds are reflected better in the water.
A different perspective on the Bridge Bay Marina docks. This one interested me because the sun was slightly breaking through the clouds and reflecting off the dock.
Photograph is taken along the Howard Eton Trail out to the Natural Bridge. Most of the trail is in under forest. This section opens just before reaching the bridge.
Photograph of the Natural Bridge from below. It might not be noticeable in the photo, but this is taken at an upward angle. The snow had started falling again and it was difficult to both block snow from falling on the camera lens and keeping my hand out of the frame.
A trail leads to the top of the Natural Bridge. You are not able to cross the bridge but can see the snow covered top and part of the forest valley to the left.
Looking down from on top of the Natural Bridge into the forest valley. Once reaching the trail summit it started snowing again. The white haze seen in the distance is snowfall.