Posted by Scott Fricke on February 17, 2012 at 1:06 AM
My girlfriend and I went up to Jackson Hole for a few days of snowboarding, but decided to spent Valentine's Day looking for some wildlife. Started the day hiking out around the cabin we were staying in and within a half hour found two bull moose and two females. We then went out to the east side of the National Elk Refuge and in a mile stretch came upon a bald eagle, a herd of 50 or so bighorn sheep with a few elk grazing alongside, 5 coyotes, and then finally a black wolf sitting on the side of the mountain howling away for a good 15 minutes. Afterwards we headed up to Grand Teton National Park and found two more moose along the Snake River. A pretty amazing day!
This first one is a group of bighorn up in the rocks. As we were watching these, we noticed a ram running along the top of the cliffs above. We wondered why it was running and then spotted 3 coyotes chasing behind it. After awhile it grew tired of the chase and turned to face the coyotes. One of the coyotes approached within 25 feet, but then made a wide berth around the ram. Click on the VIEW LARGER PHOTO to see an image of that encounter. The ram and two of the coyotes are in the frame.
Posted by Scott Fricke on February 17, 2012 at 1:07 AM
#3
Posted by Scott Fricke on February 17, 2012 at 1:07 AM
#4 Pronghorn Antelope
Posted by Scott Fricke on February 17, 2012 at 1:08 AM
#5 Bighorn Sheep
Posted by Scott Fricke on February 17, 2012 at 1:09 AM
I really like #3 and then #4. It sounds like a great day! I have been really amazed over the past couple of years at how much more accessible wildlife there seems to be in that park.
These are great, Scott. 3 and 4 are my favorites, because of the pale winter look to them. What a wonderful experience.
Posted by Stan Rose on February 18, 2012 at 12:06 PM
Nice set, Scott--i like the sheep, nice spacing there and it really shows how adept they are at maneuvering around steep terrain.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on February 18, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Scott, I like 3 most and then 5.
The fence across the middle of the antelope image catches my eye and keeps my eye in the bottom half. I like the blue tone and the sense of winter vastness.
Posted by Jack Brauer on February 19, 2012 at 12:03 PM
Sweet shots! I really dig #3 and #4... I love the pure and desolate feel to those ones.
Discussion
9 repliesThis first one is a group of bighorn up in the rocks. As we were watching these, we noticed a ram running along the top of the cliffs above. We wondered why it was running and then spotted 3 coyotes chasing behind it. After awhile it grew tired of the chase and turned to face the coyotes. One of the coyotes approached within 25 feet, but then made a wide berth around the ram. Click on the VIEW LARGER PHOTO to see an image of that encounter. The ram and two of the coyotes are in the frame.
The fence across the middle of the antelope image catches my eye and keeps my eye in the bottom half. I like the blue tone and the sense of winter vastness.