Yellowstone sure rolled out the red carpet for our visit with a plethora of color during this fall season. Im sure Yellowstone is beautiful during all seasons, but what a golden welcome we received during the month of October! Images of wildlife framed in a pop of color is what teases me in my dreams at night! Yellowstone made these dreams come true!
Moose
I have only photographed moose on a couple of occasions in the past so I was pretty excited that we found a hot spot for them in the Grand Tetons. My goal was to photograph them crossing the river and I was able to do just that! It was an exciting few minutes to watch them plow through the water, the colors saturated by the early morning light. It's a bit of a paradox to see these large, bulky, odd looking mammals framed in the softness of the fall foliage and pastel water.
This image of a moose lying down shows how difficult it is to see one if you are hiking through sage brush, stepping over fallen branches and trees, and pushing through tall grasses and brush.
Mama moose making her way to the water.
Baby moose
Female moose eyeing me. They are so unique looking.
Moose can run approximately 35 mph! I watched this one move swiftly across the landscape then out of my sight.
Elk
Bull elk bugling. Intriguing, eery, captivating!
Baby elk was so animated I enjoyed watching him
Bull elk lounging on an island. The light was wrong and my lens was too long to capture the entire scene.
Bull elk had crossed the street to join his harem. He paused on the ridge to let me get a snap of his silhouette against the darkening sky.
I took this shot because it shows how tall these elk are!
I love the colors in this image and how my clothes match the environment. Though it's not easily identifiable, that is a bull elk behind me, who, incidentally, is not as close as he appears!
Bears
Black bear cub / cinnamon color
Black bear cub
Mama black bear foraging
Mama Grizzly and her 2 adorable cubs.
While I prefer to photograph wildlife either alone or with only another person or two, I have to say I was happy to be surrounded by often dozens of other people. I have no experience really photographing elk or moose, wolves or grizzly bears. Being surrounded by other people provided a safety net and an opportunity to observe the wildlife, learn from the experiences and knowledge of others, and draw my own conclusions as well regarding safety protocol.
Coyotes
Coyote pouncing on his prey
"I believe I can fly!"
Coyote about to snag his lunch in Lamar Valley area
Coyote slowing down to take a look at his audience.
Big Horned Sheep
Young big horned sheep, separated from his family, looks for them across the street.
Eagles
Soaring the big skies of Montana
Wolves
Seeing a pack of about 32 wolves journey across the landscape was a thrill for me! Although the distance between us was probably 1700 feet or more at times, it was a spectacular sight and an amazing experience! That early morning was one of the highlights of this trip.
Many thanks to our friends Julie and Bruce Barrick for introducing us to the wonderland that is Yellowstone! They did a great job mapping out our journey so that we covered a lot of miles for the best opportunities to view as much beauty and wildlife that Yellowstone has. Im certain we could not have navigated this trip as well on our own! Now that we have had a taste of Yellowstone, Ive no doubt we will want to go back and explore further the nooks and crannies tucked away in its majestic landscape!
A few parting shots...
Julie photographing the brilliant golden aspens
Trumpeter swans reminding us all that it's love that makes the world go 'round.
