p.1 #2 · Good wildlife photography oppurtunities this winter?
Snakes and bear will be hibernating when you have your time off. Since your aka is "big country" why don't you go to Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, Utah, Alaska, or Canada for your pics. The southwest is a good place for big cats.
p.1 #4 · Good wildlife photography oppurtunities this winter?
snakes don't hibernate. they are active in warmer climates, and in colder climates they will come out and bask on a sunny day. it really depends on the snake species and environment.
Eastern Diamondbacks would be my target species.
I may head to the southeast. I am also looking at Pocosin Lakes and Mattamuskeet National Wildlife refuge in North Carolina.
p.1 #6 · Good wildlife photography oppurtunities this winter?
Lucky you. Unfortunately, its winter in Canada so all the birds have gone south, so not the ideal time for big game. Here is where I would go at this time of year in the North for big animals
1) Best biggest elk in winter - Jasper Park, 4 hours west of Edmonton.
2) Best buffalo spot - Yellowstone Park.
3) Bighorn Sheep - Radium Hot Springs 2 hours south of Banff. They hang out near the golf course.
But aside from these suggestion, south is better for birds, snakes, etc.
p.1 #7 · Good wildlife photography oppurtunities this winter?
The northern road of Yellowstone is open between Gardiner and Cooke City.
It is cold, with typical temperatures in the -40 range.
On any given day you may have a chance with wolves, elk, bison, and sheep.
Gardiner would be the place to get a motel.
p.1 #8 · Good wildlife photography oppurtunities this winter?
big country wrote:
I basically have until march off. I would like to travel a bit and take some stellar wildlife photos.
Things I am into: Snakes, Eagles, Owls, Bears, Moose, Bison, Puma, etc. anything exciting.
Snakes i would have to head to south. Not sure about everything else.
No snakes will be out where Iive during that time. (Other than the snow snakes on the highways. ) Yes they DO hibernate around here. Bears will hibernate. You'll be very very hard pressed to ever see a mountain lion. I've seen a grand total of two despite living where they do. There's a spot in South Dakota where up to 200 eagles gather in winter. Also one of the best places to find buffalo is in South Dakota. Owls are hard to find. Moose can be found in Yellowstone fairly easily--bring your snow shoes. Best places for winter wildlife that I'm personally familiar with are Banff, Yellowstone, and Custer State Park in South Dakota. BTW, "steller" wildlife photographer comes from two things: 1) understanding how to use the light, 2) putting the hours in out in the field. There aren't any shortcuts I'm aware of unless you include visiting a zoo.
It rarely hits -40 in Yellowstone. Usually it's around --10 to +25 most winter days, which isn't all that cold. Wife & I go there in winter to get warm.
p.1 #10 · Good wildlife photography oppurtunities this winter?
Big Country I dropped you a PM with some info on eastern NC.
FYI on snakes and other reptiles - it's not a true hibernation, its something referred to as brumation - they're metabolism slows down to a very low rate, but they never go into a 'shutdown' mode like a mammal would. For example here in NC, a warm streak in January will have snakes up basking on the surface near it's overwintering burrow/hole etc.
That's why its always a good thing to be wary of where you put your feet on a warm winter day
) Yes they DO hibernate around here. Bears will hibernate. You'll be very very hard pressed to ever see a mountain lion. I've seen a grand total of two despite living where they do. There's a spot in South Dakota where up to 200 eagles gather in winter. Also one of the best places to find buffalo is in South Dakota. Owls are hard to find. Moose can be found in Yellowstone fairly easily--bring your snow shoes. Best places for winter wildlife that I'm personally familiar with are Banff, Yellowstone, and Custer State Park in South Dakota. BTW, "steller" wildlife photographer comes from two things: 1) understanding how to use the light, 2) putting the hours in out in the field. There aren't any shortcuts I'm aware of unless you include visiting a zoo.