On Sept. 9, 2006, my birthday, there was good news about Giant. Nearby Grotto Geyser had marathoned (erupted) for 36 hours, and that meant an excellent chance for Giant to erupt on what is called the "marathon recovery" hot period. I wanted to see the entire recovery process, so I ventured out on the Upper Geyser Basin before dawn. It was my first experience on the basin in the dark, and I loved it--very otherworldly. Above left, the Giant Geyser platform at dawn, right, the runoff from Oblong Geyser steams in the sunrise. Immediate left, Daisy Geyser erupts below a nearly full moon.

 

Below photos, a herd of bison wandered by while we were waiting. Since it was fall mating season, two young males decided to have a small tiff not far from where we were standing.