{"id":11772,"date":"2026-09-15T05:03:10","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T03:03:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brokenmount.com\/bm\/2026\/09\/15\/there-are-a-surprising-number-of-lost-lens-caps-in-yellowstones-waters\/"},"modified":"2026-09-15T05:03:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T03:03:10","slug":"there-are-a-surprising-number-of-lost-lens-caps-in-yellowstones-waters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brokenmount.com\/bm\/2026\/09\/15\/there-are-a-surprising-number-of-lost-lens-caps-in-yellowstones-waters\/","title":{"rendered":"There are a surprising number of lost lens caps in Yellowstone\u2019s waters"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\tLens caps were the most commonly recovered non-trash item from Yellowstone\u2019s hydrothermal features, offering a reminder to keep loose camera gear secure.<\/p>\n

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Almost every photographer has lost a lens cap at some point. They roll under car seats, disappear into the bottom of camera bags and, apparently, tumble into Yellowstone\u2019s hydrothermal features.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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A recent post<\/a> by the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory on the U.S. Geological Survey website and Instagram account<\/a> details the record-breaking amount of trash Yellowstone National Park staff have removed from hydrothermal areas this year. Most notable for photographers: as of early September, the park\u2019s Geology Program had recovered 54 camera lens caps from thermal areas. They were the most common item found beyond the usual plastic and paper trash.<\/p>\n

The photos shared with the post appear to show other photography-related items as well, including at least one lens hood, several eyecups, a handful of instant photographs and plenty of binocular caps. The collection also included 47 hair ties, 42 pencils, 36 pairs of sunglasses, 20 hotel key cards and 17 pacifiers. All were recovered from hydrothermal features, not simply from the boardwalks.<\/p>\n

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There were also quite a few instant photos found in the thermal areas.<\/figcaption>Margery Price \/ National Park Service<\/span><\/figure>\n

It may be easy to dismiss a dropped lens cap as a minor annoyance, but Yellowstone\u2019s thermal features are highly sensitive to foreign objects. The park\u2019s Geology Program warns that debris can clog a feature\u2019s water supply, alter runoff channels and introduce chemicals or sediment. Morning Glory Pool, for example, famously changed color during the 20th century after visitors repeatedly tossed trash into it.<\/p>\n

The post is a useful reminder for photographers: When you remove a lens cap, put it securely in a pocket or camera bag. Better yet, if you know you will be moving quickly between shots, leave it in your car, cabin or campsite. And, whatever you do, don\u2019t balance it on a handrail where it\u2019s liable to get knocked or blown off into a sensitive area<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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If you absolutely must keep the cap handy, consider a cap keeper, a small tether that connects the cap to the lens barrel. It is not the most elegant accessory, and some attachment methods may not hold up to the gusty winds possible in places such as Yellowstone. Still, it is better than letting another piece of plastic become part of a sensitive landscape.<\/p>\n

About the Author: <\/span>Abby Ferguson holds an MFA in photography and blends a fine-art background with extensive editorial and commercial experience. She built and led an in-house imaging program for a large vacation rental company and has served as an associate editor at Popular Photography. She also teaches at a local community college and serves on its Photographic Technology Program Advisory Board, sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for the medium.<\/div>\n
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