My wife and I visited Pinedale and Moose over New Years and felt the full fury of the Wyoming winter. This image is pronghorn below the Wind Rivers. Pronghorn migrate up to 170 miles from GTNP as far as the Red Desert, crossing highways and private lands. The longest land migration in the lower 48, and third longest on earth is threatened by natural gas drilling and development ~ plus a number of other factors. These guys are in the Upper Green River Basin.
Yes, "The Winds" behind the drilling rig. "Drill Baby, Drill" and all that. I've decided that I'm obsessed with The Winds and want to spend as much time as possible roaming these wild mountains. I think it's worth considering these great ranges - The Tetons, Gros Ventre, Wind Rivers and others as island wildernesses of the future - as we see the surrounding lands industrialized. We drove drilling roads to make the drilling rig shot - they are ice roads through what has become industrialized wasteland. Every drilling permit over the last seven years has been granted and it's time to say enough! Obama and Salazar will have their hands full as we re-evaluate and hopefully move in the direction of responsible energy development. End of rant.
Posted by Joshua Hardin on January 5, 2009 at 2:55 PM
The antelope and sunrise shots are beautiful. It is important to document these places now since there have been and will continue to be a lot of changes in WY, as you said Dave. Perhaps this is an idea for your next book topic?
Pretty shots, Dave! I like #1 but especially #4, that would make a great B&W i think. Id love to get back to the Winds!
Posted by Jody Grigg on January 5, 2009 at 5:53 PM
Nice stuff Mr. Showalter
Posted by Don George on January 5, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Great documentation through your photography. I have spent many days in the Pinedale area over the last 22 years. It concerns me greatly as I see the changes caused by drilling.
I have talked to several natives of the area and they are also concerned. According to them many animals are being shot out of season and illegally etc. The town is losing its charm and becoming headquarters for the oil companies. Its not clear to me yet if we should be drilling there or not but if it is necessary then it should be done in a responsible manner keeping the migration paths open etc.
Posted by Brent Murphy on January 5, 2009 at 6:59 PM
Work has taken me to Jackson, Pinedale, and Big Piney many, many times over the five years or so. It's been quite the change during that time. Recently, CNN.com has run a number of little video stories about the area, it's resources and the effect of the oil and gas boom on the wildlife. Not sure if this link will work, but if it does, there should be a number of videos on this page.
Posted by John Mumaw on January 5, 2009 at 7:41 PM
I like the first and third images very much!
Natural gas will be a part of our energy future for a long time. I use natural gas. I know many others that use (and need) it, as well.
Posted by John Klotz on January 5, 2009 at 9:18 PM
OMG! There has been talk about drilling for gas at the base of Mt. Herman in Monument! I am less that 2 miles from the base of Mt H with a mostly unobstructed view. That is what I would see from my back door and windows! Yes I use nat gas too. Still I am more concerned about the pollution to our ground water from the "fracking" process where a lengthy list of chemicals is pumped into the drill hole to fracture the rock. There have been references to Pindale in that regard.
Ah, a spirited discussion - more than I hoped for!
I'll make an effort to steer things in a different direction. The question isn't whether to drill or not. The question is about balance as we stagger away from an era of complete indifference to science, of more and more drilling as the foundation of an energy policy, a period of zero oversight, complete trampling of the endangered species act, and energy companies writing energy policy. All of the conservation groups in the Rocky Mountain region advocate "responsible drilling." The question is whether we are willing to destroy lands identified as having wilderness character, if we can watch greater and Gunnison sage grouse land on the endangered species list, then go extinct ~ can we cut off migration routes that have been used for thousands of years?? It is about listening to science and striking a balance in the west - and recognizing that the National Parks are no more important than wilderness-quality lands in the Upper Green, Red Desert, Vermillion Basin, Roan, North Park, Bookcliffs, Gunnison Basin, on and on. Every voice matters and it's time to be heard.
Posted by Rohn B. McKee on January 5, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Dave,
I photographed the little band of Teton pronghorn just before they headed up the Gros Ventre to Pinedale. They are a treasure for sure. All efforts should be made to keep this migration healthy. Ill post the Teton side photos tomorrow. I used to love driving from Pinedale to Kemmerre. the land forms are beautiful, the weather is always wild, what a treasure. I wont ever drive that road again, do'nt want to see the destruction.
Posted by Brett Deacon on January 6, 2009 at 1:11 AM
Dave, I've really enjoyed these photographs but truly love and admire your passion for conserving our remaining natural resources. Keep up the great work and with a little luck the talents of people like yourself will help to protect these treasures once and for all. I just spent 4 days in GTNP a few weeks ago and the amount of drilling rigs between Rock Springs and Jackson was staggering. I also didn't see the peaks once during the entire trip thanks to clouds and snow so I'm envious of your third picture!
Posted by Jesse Speer on January 7, 2009 at 1:20 AM
I'll echo Brett's thoughts. And I certainly look forward to your future work on the subject. I couldn't agree more with your sentiments about National Parks vs. other wild places.
Posted by bill meikle on January 9, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Dave, I was at the AGM of the Audubon Society in Ft C last night and they mentioned your name re your book and maybe presenting to them later this year. Anyway congrats.
Posted by Darren Huski on January 9, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Dave-
Nice images. Great to see some Wyoming places besides YNP and GTNP get some attention. The pronghorn is is top notch and the drill rig one is a great scene (even with the rig in it). Heck you ought to sell it to the driller!
Discussion
20 repliesWould that be the Wind River Range behind the gas rig?
I have talked to several natives of the area and they are also concerned. According to them many animals are being shot out of season and illegally etc. The town is losing its charm and becoming headquarters for the oil companies. Its not clear to me yet if we should be drilling there or not but if it is necessary then it should be done in a responsible manner keeping the migration paths open etc.
Natural gas will be a part of our energy future for a long time. I use natural gas. I know many others that use (and need) it, as well.
I'll make an effort to steer things in a different direction. The question isn't whether to drill or not. The question is about balance as we stagger away from an era of complete indifference to science, of more and more drilling as the foundation of an energy policy, a period of zero oversight, complete trampling of the endangered species act, and energy companies writing energy policy. All of the conservation groups in the Rocky Mountain region advocate "responsible drilling." The question is whether we are willing to destroy lands identified as having wilderness character, if we can watch greater and Gunnison sage grouse land on the endangered species list, then go extinct ~ can we cut off migration routes that have been used for thousands of years?? It is about listening to science and striking a balance in the west - and recognizing that the National Parks are no more important than wilderness-quality lands in the Upper Green, Red Desert, Vermillion Basin, Roan, North Park, Bookcliffs, Gunnison Basin, on and on. Every voice matters and it's time to be heard.
I photographed the little band of Teton pronghorn just before they headed up the Gros Ventre to Pinedale. They are a treasure for sure. All efforts should be made to keep this migration healthy. Ill post the Teton side photos tomorrow. I used to love driving from Pinedale to Kemmerre. the land forms are beautiful, the weather is always wild, what a treasure. I wont ever drive that road again, do'nt want to see the destruction.
Nice images. Great to see some Wyoming places besides YNP and GTNP get some attention. The pronghorn is is top notch and the drill rig one is a great scene (even with the rig in it). Heck you ought to sell it to the driller!