Trip Report: Yellowstone Wildlife Safari
This May I had the fortune to spend two whole weeks in Yellowstone National Park with some great people. We explored the park on foot and by vehicle with the goal being to spend as much time as possible photographing wildlife, thermal features and the great wild ecosystem that is Yellowstone.
Yellowstone has an average elevation of between 7000 & 8000 feet above sea level. That means constantly changing mountain weather and even in the spring we saw freezing temperatures in the morning, warm days and some periods of intense rain and snow. Extreme weather is part of the experience in Yellowstone and in-fact one of the joys of spending time in the world’s first national park – there is a sense of feeling alive and adventure when you are out in the elements battling for excellent photographs!
Grizzly Cub
Rich enjoying a great day on the Yellowstone photography tour
Red Fox in the Snow near Cooke City, Montana
Bison reflection in Yellowstone’s Hayden Valley
As with every trip to Yellowstone the wildlife sightings were completely different each day and one never knew quite what to expect or what they were going to see around any given corner! We had great bear encounters – both Black Bear and Grizzly Bear as well as Wolves, Coyote, Fox, Bison, Pronghorn, Elk and several Bald Eagles.
I took two different groups out over the two week period as well as a shorter private excursion afterwards and then a few days just on my own to hike and explore parts of the park I hadn’t spent much time in yet. Over the years I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Yellowstone – hiking it’s trails, driving it’s roads, camping, staying at the various lodges – it’s an incredibly interesting, diverse place. Every single trip is different and every time I set foot in ‘the eco-system’ I see something I’ve never seen before or in a new light. The diversity is in the weather, the seasons and of course the behavior of Yellowstone’s bewildering wildlife populations.
Rich, Craig, Amy, Cindy, David, Rich & Crystal posing along the Lone Star Geyser trail. Photo: Amy Schade
Black Bear sow and two cubs
Two Black Bear cubs in a tree in Yellowstone National Park
Grizzly Cub looks on while mama grazes near Yellowstone’ Lamar Valley
Sandhill Cranes in Lamar Valley
Some of the highlights of this trip included an excellent photography session with Castle Geyser in which we were able to capture rainbows in the mist of the geyser – seemingly erupting right out of the cone! We also had some good photography sessions at Grand Geyser and Old Faithful put on a few good shows – including a beautiful clear night session using some long exposures on our tripods!
Over the course of the two week period we were able to find several different Black Bear sows with cubs as well as some Grizzlies that were frequently appearing near the Lamar River bridge and over along the Gibbon River.
Black Bear cub in a tree
Black Bear sow
Amy nailing the shot
A very happy Bull Bison!
Coyote eating in an Elk Carcass in Hayden Valley
Trumpeter Swans in flight
Black Bear cub in a tree
Dancing Bison calf (aka “Red Dogs”)
Black Bear cub
Several Black Bear cubs
Immature Bald Eagle in flight
The Wapiti Wolf Pack in Hayden valley
The Moon above Yellowstone
Canada Geese goslings
Cinnamon colored Black Bear near Yellowstone River Bridge
Black Bear cubs in a tree
Mama Black Bear and cubs near the Yellowstone River
George pretending to be a Bison
Bison pretending to be George!
Bison calf playing in the grass
George & Josh nailing the shot
Backcountry Journeys chariots – we ride in style!
Grand Prismatic Hot Spring
Yearling Grizzly Cub near Gibbon Flats
Bull Bison blocking traffic
David Photographing bears
Cindy hard at work!
Radio collared Grizzly & Cub
Grizzly along Yellowstone’s Gibbon River
Bear Patrol
Grizzly versus Bison
Grizzly Sow with Cub
Portrait of a Bison
Jed taunting Lone Star Geyser
Old Faithful a must on any Yellowstone Photography Tour
Historic Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone National Park
Mousing Coyote
Keith & Josh photographing Riverside Geyser
Josh & George photographing Grotto Geyser
Brian Photographing Geysers
Coyote reflections
Waiting for Castle Geyser
Rainbow in Castle Geyser
Yellowstone’s Old Faithful at night using a long exposure
David, Craig, Cindy, Crystal, Rich, Amy & Rich! Photo: Cindy Roper
I was on the part II trip and can honestly say it was the most amazing experience I have ever had as a photographer! Yellowstone in all its glory; wind, rain, snow, surreal sunrises, beautiful days, we had it all! The landscape was stunning and the wildlife was beyond abundant! Russ and Crystal could not have been more genuine, and the put together the most amazing experience – the food and the accommodations were perfect, their knowledge of the park, the animals, the history, geology, etc was impressive! The other participants were so much fun, right from the start! We had a blast! This was a 5+ star trip and I certainly plan on attending another one of their adventures!