Posted by Jerry Austin on August 31, 2013 at 11:52 AM
I am scheduled to visit Yellowstone in about a week. This will be my first trip. I plan to be there 8 days and all of it will be directed at wildlife photography. I have done extensive research on all the best spots for wildlife, but I thought I would see if any of you would like to weigh in. I am mainly interested in elk, but will not turn down an opportunity to capture some great images of other wildlife, including the smaller stuff. I certainly would be thrilled to get some shots of grizzlies and wolves, but realize that these guys are a bit more difficult. I will be taking the following equipment.
Canon 7D
Canon 5d Mark II
Canon 500mm f4 Series II
Canon 100-400
Canon 24-105
Mammoth is one of the best places to see Elk in September. For Wolves, I suggest Lamar Valley. Look up Deby Dixon. She can fill you in on the wolves. I have found that the area between Tower and Rosevelt is a good place for bears. I have going up there twice a year for over 50 years. It is my favorite places. Although not necessary, I always book the photo tour out of lake hotel that way, I don't have to drive. Feel free to email me for any other discussions larryb1234@gmail.com
Jerry, I have an interactive online wildlife map on my site that may help give you a sense of where to find some species. I also sell a print version of that and a companion wildlife guide.
Mammoth is the best place to see elk in the fall, but the setting is brutal for photography. Vehicles, buildings and tourists everywhere, so it can be difficult to find clean backgrounds. Traditionally the Madison River was another elk hot spot--a really great setting on foggy mornings--though numbers there have died down in recent years, so it's hit or miss these days. You can also check the areas south of Canyon Junction. There are meadows interspersed amid the trees running from the junction to .5 - 1 mile south that have a lot of elk, but it can be tough to find them in the open.
The Tetons are an underrated elk spot, by the way. There is at least one big herd that hangs around Oxbow Bend, with plenty of bulls bugling and going at it. Of course, it's a great park for moose too (better than Yellowstone).
The wolves are scattered in smaller packs along the northern range these days. Little America and the Lamar can still be good for sightings, but you have to get lucky since there are simply fewer wolves (another one was recently shot outside the park). The Canyon Pack controls Hayden Valley at the moment and is typically the most "photogenic pack" because they often pop out near the road and don't fear vehicles. But Hayden is a very wide valley, so they're often pretty far out.
I've been photographing in the park for over a decade, guide there and am a part-time resident in the area, so if you have any questions drop me a PM and I'll be happy to help. I'm sure Deby would be happy to assist as well.
Max
Posted by Jerry Austin on September 14, 2013 at 9:15 PM
Max,
Wrapping up my Yellowstone trip tomorrow. Headed back to Texas. I found lots of elk along the Madison as you suggested. There was one particularly impressive 6x6 that I managed to get some great shots of. Thanks for the Madison River tip. I also found two large bull moose about a mile west of Tower. Both were large, but one was a monster. I managed to close the distance and get some good shots. I also ran into (almost literally) a large male grizzly along the Lamar River in the Lamar valley, right across from the old ranger Cabins. I was out close to the river photographing a bill bison and the griz walked by. Been a great trip.
Discussion
4 repliesCanon 7D
Canon 5d Mark II
Canon 500mm f4 Series II
Canon 100-400
Canon 24-105
Here is a good one: http://dsphoto.photoshelter.com/page1
Have a great trip!
Sandy
Mammoth is the best place to see elk in the fall, but the setting is brutal for photography. Vehicles, buildings and tourists everywhere, so it can be difficult to find clean backgrounds. Traditionally the Madison River was another elk hot spot--a really great setting on foggy mornings--though numbers there have died down in recent years, so it's hit or miss these days. You can also check the areas south of Canyon Junction. There are meadows interspersed amid the trees running from the junction to .5 - 1 mile south that have a lot of elk, but it can be tough to find them in the open.
The Tetons are an underrated elk spot, by the way. There is at least one big herd that hangs around Oxbow Bend, with plenty of bulls bugling and going at it. Of course, it's a great park for moose too (better than Yellowstone).
The wolves are scattered in smaller packs along the northern range these days. Little America and the Lamar can still be good for sightings, but you have to get lucky since there are simply fewer wolves (another one was recently shot outside the park). The Canyon Pack controls Hayden Valley at the moment and is typically the most "photogenic pack" because they often pop out near the road and don't fear vehicles. But Hayden is a very wide valley, so they're often pretty far out.
I've been photographing in the park for over a decade, guide there and am a part-time resident in the area, so if you have any questions drop me a PM and I'll be happy to help. I'm sure Deby would be happy to assist as well.
Max
Wrapping up my Yellowstone trip tomorrow. Headed back to Texas. I found lots of elk along the Madison as you suggested. There was one particularly impressive 6x6 that I managed to get some great shots of. Thanks for the Madison River tip. I also found two large bull moose about a mile west of Tower. Both were large, but one was a monster. I managed to close the distance and get some good shots. I also ran into (almost literally) a large male grizzly along the Lamar River in the Lamar valley, right across from the old ranger Cabins. I was out close to the river photographing a bill bison and the griz walked by. Been a great trip.