Every year people burn their feet in the Valley of Geysers and caldera of Uzon volcano. For some reason, they are mostly Russians, not foreigners. They do not pay attention to the warnings.  But what about bears? They cannot read the instructions and wooden decks are built not for them. And they do not wear shoes..

For millions of years of evolution animals have learnt to use heat for their own good. Some birds make their nests on the warm ground, the volcanic soil works like an incubator. Nestling grows faster and begin flying earlier, they have more chances for survival.

Bears are also smart enough to use the heat of the volcano for their own good. They like to eat the first grass appearing on the warm soil. On some days 20 or 30 bears can accumulate at one place of the valley. It’s unique even for Kamchatka.

They like to warm up here in bad weather. April, May and even beginning of June are quite cold in the region. On such days bears lie on the warm volcanic ground. They even have their favorite places on the slopes.

Experienced animals move along the valley quite confidently. At the hottest places they step on the wooden decks made for tourists. They also step on large stones sticking out of the hot water.

Though young bears have to study first to avoid troubles. This one has burnt its paw.

On the picture above are thermophilic algae and micro-organisms in the Valley of Geysers.

Due to the volcanic heat a unique living world has formed in the Valley.

If we look closer at them…

Thermophilic algae impacts the color of a geyserite. This one has a malachite color, for example.

And do not worry, we are going to come back to Kamchatka soon!

via shpilenok