p.1 #1 · Yellowstone/Grand Tetons June Solo Road Trip...
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I haven't posted on here in a while, thought I'd share a few images from my recent trip.
I've been to YS four times before this year, it is one of my happy places so I try to get there every year. However, I'm not a huge fan of big crowds so I never go in the summer. This year, with my business basically shut down and most travel off the table, I had the idea to head to my favorite national parks the second week of June. The park had been pretty empty with no foreign tourists, no buses in the parks and campgrounds not open until the 15th. My wife couldn't go, and I didn't feel comfortable flying, so I decided to do a solo road trip. Our home is about 925 miles from Jackson, WY or West Yellowstone, so I drove out in one (long) day..same on the way back. Easy drive at pretty good speeds.
Anyway, as usual the parks did not disappoint. I had almost no crowds even in the popular wildlife spots. I spent a couple of days in the Tetons, and a few in Yellowstone. I am calling this bear week. I saw 16 individual grizzlies, and almost as many black bears. Several moose, thousands of bison, a few eagles, etc. Here are a few wildlife images from the trip. I posted a few landscapes on the other forum.
p.1 #3 · Yellowstone/Grand Tetons June Solo Road Trip...
Richard, these are impressive images from both places. The lighting quality of the bear and bison images was somehow better and yielded more pleasing images. I was wondering what gear you ended up using for the trip...
p.1 #4 · Yellowstone/Grand Tetons June Solo Road Trip...
Since I was alone in my vehicle I could load up and bring all my camera gear. Funny thing is, I forgot my scope!
This was my setup:
d850 with 500 e fl vr..this was my primary for wildlife. Also had the 1.4x which I only used a couple of times with mixed results (none posted here).
d500 with 80-400g. This was for closer in shots, like the profile of the mother griz above, the pronhorn and the moose family. I used this more than I thought I would. I had a few close encounters this trip that are not that common in YS or GT. Possibly because there just weren't as many people around.
z6 with 24-70 f4, 14-30 f4. I used the z6 for almost all of my landscapes. Also shot a few videos with it. Never used it for wildlife, although the image of the bison and reflections was shot with it.
p.1 #8 · Yellowstone/Grand Tetons June Solo Road Trip...
I agree with Morris that it looks like you had a fantastic trip. You photo of the group of bison reflecting in the pond is awesome, awesome, awesome!!!
p.1 #10 · Yellowstone/Grand Tetons June Solo Road Trip...
kdacharya wrote:
fantastic set, Richard. YNP is one of my go to destinations. I am so happy for you.
thanks for sharing. voted.
Thanks! I'm lucky in that I have been there every year for the past five years now. As you know (assuming you have been several times as well), every time is different..and every time is fantastic. This was just a (hopefully) once in a lifetime chance to go in peak wildlife season (early summer) without big crowds. The only crowds I saw the entire week were at the geysers...I didn't bother going to Old Faithful, and went to Grand Prismatic via the hike to the platform...The boardwalk was too crowded for me to feel comfortable. It was as always a great trip! Your work is amazing by the way...really gives me a very high bar to aspire to!
p.1 #11 · Yellowstone/Grand Tetons June Solo Road Trip...
rand1951 wrote:
I agree with Morris that it looks like you had a fantastic trip. You photo of the group of bison reflecting in the pond is awesome, awesome, awesome!!!
rand
Thanks. I got very lucky there, was driving on my way to Lamar and saw this little pond with zero wind...and the bison were just sauntering by so I stopped. This scene was only there for about two minutes max...the bison kept moving and the wind started kicking up a bit...
p.1 #13 · Yellowstone/Grand Tetons June Solo Road Trip...
cohenfive wrote:
Thanks! I'm lucky in that I have been there every year for the past five years now. As you know (assuming you have been several times as well), every time is different..and every time is fantastic. This was just a (hopefully) once in a lifetime chance to go in peak wildlife season (early summer) without big crowds. The only crowds I saw the entire week were at the geysers...I didn't bother going to Old Faithful, and went to Grand Prismatic via the hike to the platform...The boardwalk was too crowded for me to feel comfortable. It was as always a great trip! Your work is amazing by the way...really gives me a very high bar to aspire to!...Show more →
thanks but your work is really impressive. What I meant was it is my dream destination, not my go to destination (English is my second language ) However I did go there twice and God willing many more times. Glad that you have the ability to drive there. I am on the east coast so that is out of question.
p.1 #15 · Yellowstone/Grand Tetons June Solo Road Trip...
A really nice set, thanks for sharing. My wife and I used to go in early June for the babies, always a treat. looks like you have some nice weather too, what a wonderful bloom and if I recall pretty early.
p.1 #17 · Yellowstone/Grand Tetons June Solo Road Trip...
Beautiful! Yellowstone on my list! Just trying to figure out the best time of year to go. I know summer is not one of them. Not a huge fan of crowds either.
As for the Pronghorn shot? A couple of years ago my buddy and I out hiking saw a doe chasing a coyote protecting it's fawn. Coyote came within 50' of us. Happened so fast I didn't have the time to get my then point and shoot out!
p.1 #18 · Yellowstone/Grand Tetons June Solo Road Trip...
AZHeaven wrote:
Beautiful! Yellowstone on my list! Just trying to figure out the best time of year to go. I know summer is not one of them. Not a huge fan of crowds either.
As for the Pronghorn shot? A couple of years ago my buddy and I out hiking saw a doe chasing a coyote protecting it's fawn. Coyote came within 50' of us. Happened so fast I didn't have the time to get my then point and shoot out!
That is exactly what happened here. The coyote was running right next to the cars (too close and it happened too quickly), all I got were pics of the coyote after it passed me. Then came the pronghorn, it was interesting to see her come after the coyote, who wanted no part of an altercation. Then the pronghorn went off into the brush, presumably to tend to her baby. Fun to see.
As far as when to go, I've been five times now, every season. If you want some advice, message me and I can give you the pros and cons from my perspective anyway. Thanks
p.1 #19 · Yellowstone/Grand Tetons June Solo Road Trip...
cohenfive wrote:
That is exactly what happened here. The coyote was running right next to the cars (too close and it happened too quickly), all I got were pics of the coyote after it passed me. Then came the pronghorn, it was interesting to see her come after the coyote, who wanted no part of an altercation. Then the pronghorn went off into the brush, presumably to tend to her baby. Fun to see.
As far as when to go, I've been five times now, every season. If you want some advice, message me and I can give you the pros and cons from my perspective anyway. Thanks...Show more →
I will lable your experience and have labled my experience a "Nat Geo moment"! Right place at the right time, with none of the waiting part!
p.1 #20 · Yellowstone/Grand Tetons June Solo Road Trip...
cohenfive wrote:
That is exactly what happened here. The coyote was running right next to the cars (too close and it happened too quickly), all I got were pics of the coyote after it passed me.......... Thanks
Isn't that why they call him..."Wile E. Coyote (also known simply as "the Coyote")" Your car must have resembled the "Road Runner".:>
Again great images!!
Dan
) However I did go there twice and God willing many more times. Glad that you have the ability to drive there. I am on the east coast so that is out of question.
Your car must have resembled the "Road Runner".:>