Posted by David Briner on March 9, 2007 at 1:16 PM
Hi there,
I'm new to this particular forum but wanted to ask for advice on locations near Jackson. I'll be staying just outside of Kelly at Lower Slide lake. Looking to shoot fauna, flora and scenery. I hear there's mountain goats at the elk refuge and possibly some bison. Wondering how much focal length I'll need to bring along for the wildlife. I was thinking about getting rid of my 600mm and trading in for a 300mm but may not if you all think I'll need it for this trip. I will rent one of the L-glass wide angle zooms and bring my 50mm as well.
Thanks,
Dave
Posted by Doug Andrews on March 9, 2007 at 1:31 PM
Depending on the time of the year, flora may be hard to come by. Fauna and scenery will be in abundance everywhere. Don't know about mountain goats but bison and pronghorn are typically out on the Antelope Flats area which is near Kelly. Moose can be found around the Oxbow Bend area. Elk in the vicinity if Jenny Lake in the summer, the refuge during the winter. Bring all the focal elngth you can. For scenery you've got the entire Teton range and its accompanying lakes rivers and streams which can keep a fella occupied for a lifetime.
She took these last Spring on her first trip if you can believe it. It looks like she used a variety of longish lenses. I plan to take my family late spring early summer this year. I don't have any long glass, just my 70-200 4L + 1.4 TC on my 10D. I may rent a 400, 500 or 600L for the trip.
- Derek
Posted by David Briner on March 9, 2007 at 2:40 PM
Thanks for the help Derek and Doug. Forgot to mention I'm going in early July. Bad time I know as far as tourists go but that's when my bud is getting married.
Dave
Wildflowers seemed to be in peak when I was there around July 4th last year. Hard to say what you'll see in June, but I'd guess you'll find something good.
This is one of the images that motivated me to start planning for my trip this year. I wanted to go in July for the wildflowers. But I do not like crowds so I am aiming for early to mid June right now.
Locations are going to be variable based on season. You won't have any shortage of scenery - it's everywhere you look (though mostly towards the West from your location). Same goes for flora; early on and you'll want to be down in the valley - later in Summer you'll want to hike the inter-mountain valleys and canyons in the Tetons.
Personally, I'd keep the 600mm, unless you're also bringing along a 2xTC to fit the 300mm.
For Moose, the best single spot is probably Oxbow Bend at sunrise and sunset. A willow grove near the Jackson Lake Lodge is also good, but you're looking down at the grove, so it's not the best photography. Driving along the roads you can often see Moose in the evenings in many of the streambeds, in meadows...
Elk come down into the Refuge for the winter, but I've never seen them there during the late Summer months. In fact, in the three times I've been there, there has been little obvious on the Refuge at all.
There's a nice pair of ponds on the edge of Jackson, on the Refuge boundary. A good lens can get you some good waterfowl shots.
Posted by Brent Murphy on March 9, 2007 at 4:57 PM
Hi Dave,
Don't get rid of the 600mm...300mm just doesn't do it for wildlife...if you have something wider that 50mm, it comes in handy for scenics. Antelope Flats is a good place for bison and the famous barns. Also, Schwabacher Landing is a good spot, though everyone might be there. Arrive early or you won't get the good spot...it's cramped. Like everyone is saying, there are some huge moose at Oxbow and you'll need the 600mm, because they're usually on the other side of the river. This is another place to arrive early...50 other photographers may be there. Be sure to check out the galleries in town.
Cynthia Spence
www.geolightphoto.com
Posted by David Briner on March 12, 2007 at 10:23 AM
Awesome stuff folks!! Thanks so much for all the help. I'm looking forward to this trip immensely. It will be tough juggling the photography with keeping my wife happy
Best,
Dave
Discussion
9 repliesI'm new to this particular forum but wanted to ask for advice on locations near Jackson. I'll be staying just outside of Kelly at Lower Slide lake. Looking to shoot fauna, flora and scenery. I hear there's mountain goats at the elk refuge and possibly some bison. Wondering how much focal length I'll need to bring along for the wildlife. I was thinking about getting rid of my 600mm and trading in for a 300mm but may not if you all think I'll need it for this trip. I will rent one of the L-glass wide angle zooms and bring my 50mm as well.
Thanks,
Dave
Here is a great gallery from Liz Bickel with lens data to give an idea of what was used. I first saw her work over on the Canon forum at DPReview:
http://www.pbase.com/britestar/yellowstone_
This one was done with the 600mm and probably my favorite:
http://www.pbase.com/britestar/image/62605931
She took these last Spring on her first trip if you can believe it. It looks like she used a variety of longish lenses. I plan to take my family late spring early summer this year. I don't have any long glass, just my 70-200 4L + 1.4 TC on my 10D. I may rent a 400, 500 or 600L for the trip.
- Derek
Dave
Scott Bacon's shot of Mormon Row in July here:
http://baconphoto.com/gallery/collection1.php?category=18
This is one of the images that motivated me to start planning for my trip this year. I wanted to go in July for the wildflowers. But I do not like crowds so I am aiming for early to mid June right now.
Personally, I'd keep the 600mm, unless you're also bringing along a 2xTC to fit the 300mm.
For Moose, the best single spot is probably Oxbow Bend at sunrise and sunset. A willow grove near the Jackson Lake Lodge is also good, but you're looking down at the grove, so it's not the best photography. Driving along the roads you can often see Moose in the evenings in many of the streambeds, in meadows...
Elk come down into the Refuge for the winter, but I've never seen them there during the late Summer months. In fact, in the three times I've been there, there has been little obvious on the Refuge at all.
There's a nice pair of ponds on the edge of Jackson, on the Refuge boundary. A good lens can get you some good waterfowl shots.
Don't get rid of the 600mm...300mm just doesn't do it for wildlife...if you have something wider that 50mm, it comes in handy for scenics. Antelope Flats is a good place for bison and the famous barns. Also, Schwabacher Landing is a good spot, though everyone might be there. Arrive early or you won't get the good spot...it's cramped. Like everyone is saying, there are some huge moose at Oxbow and you'll need the 600mm, because they're usually on the other side of the river. This is another place to arrive early...50 other photographers may be there. Be sure to check out the galleries in town.
Cynthia Spence
www.geolightphoto.com
Best,
Dave