Minerva Terrace, Mammoth Hot Springs

The barren foreground leads the viewer directly to the frozen Minerva Terrace, which is partially blocking the view of the darkly, tree covered hills in the background. The water creates an almost white contrast with the rocks as it is frozen in time drizzling down the terrace but is trying to break free to join the pools of frozen water at the base of the terrace, portraying a frigid winter. There is no snow on the ground or on the hills peering out behind the terrace, but there is also no life on the ground or in the air, contributing to the barren winter scene. The terrace itself is a warm, light tan color contrasted by the white streams of frozen water hanging vertically over the projected rock cliffs of the terrace. The path of the foreground is cleared of any vegetation, inviting the viewer to place his/herself there to view the frozen, twinkling Minerva Terrace as the sun tries to shine through the clouds onto the frozen ground. The sky, which is the top fourth of the photograph, portrays a cloudy day with different gray contrasts to show that light might be peering through it, giving off a sense of hope for the water to liquefy and bring warmer days.