Yellowstone

I am going to Yellowstone on Friday for 6 days. Does anyone have suggestions for must picture and spots for animals such as Wolves Bears and Moose. Also looking to get some nice landscape shots.

I can't help you too much, but I can refer to some websites that have regular sighting updates for Grizzlies and Wolves. Generally, Lamar Valley is where it's at. Explore those sights more generally and you'll get some good tips.

NPS Bear Sighting Reports

Wildlife Reports

Yellowstone Bearman Wolf/Bear Reports

I spent a week in Tetons NP a few years ago. Oxbow Bend was pretty hot for wildlife...grizzly, black bear, otters, pelicans, moose. Don't overlook it on your way to Yellowstone.

Ken

I generally spend most of my time in the Lamar Valley. Over the past two summers I've had the opportunity to catch several of the wolf packs, several grizzlies, black bears, coyotes (w/pups), and more in this area. Just look for other photographers and ask if there have been any fresh kills in the area. If so, its usually a large predator traffic jam each night.

Other good bets...

Trout Lake - there is a resident family of river otters that live in the lake (their den is near the wooded side of the lake). Also, bison, black bears, and coyotes come through this area quite often.

Pebble Creek campground - there is a great grey owl that can be found in the meadow next to the campground each morning around dawn and each evening an hour or so before sunset. Moving slowly you can photography within 100 feet of him as he frequently flies into the grasses to catch an unsuspecting rodent.

For moose I find that Grand Tetons is usually better. You should still be able to see some calves this time of year. Be sure to spend some time at Oxbow Bend, Schwabacher Landing, Cunningham Cabin, and Mormon Row as well. All of this area offers unbelievable shooting opportunities.

Hope this helps!

Mark

Brenden, I am just back from yellowstone and tetons and found wolves in the evening at the north end of hayden valley, grizzlies are fishing near fishing bridge, black bears, cinnamon black bears, and cubs just south of Tower in the wooded valley area. Didnt see many moose, one female with a calf at canyon village, try Jackson's Moose Wilson road or watch for them near the road between yellowstone and teton. There is a peregrine falcons nest in Tower canyon and an Osprey nest there too. We only saw coyotes in lamar valley but others saw wolves etc. Some wolf reports are actually coyotes I suspect.
Bison with calves in Hayden valley.
Hope this helps.
Bill

For landscape shots in Yellowstone, these are what I've liked:

West Thumb Geyser Basin

Yellowstone Canyon - Specifically Red something point, Artists Point and Uncle Toms Trail

Grand Prismatic Spring area

Firehole River below Grand Prismatic Spring

Yellowstone river south of Upper Yellowstone falls

Sheepeater Cliffs

Twin Lakes (nice reflections and water lillies around July 4th)

Norris Geyser Basin

Waterfalls- Gibbon, Firehole, Oizo

There are TONS of opportunities for nature abstracts around the hot springs. Interesting colors and textures.

Although the Tetons are more famous for landscape shots, Yellowstone offers alof of variety, and it is the landscape that made Yellowstone a national park.

If you are looking for bears then this is what they will look like!!!!!

easy to find!!!

Bill

if you plan to shoot grand prismatic try walking up to the top of the hill from the south carpark, 1/2 mile walk maybe, look for people on the hill and head up there then go a little further and you will get a view clear of offending trees.

Bill

Hey bill when was that bear shot taken ? It looks like it was taken the the tower campground ( about 1 or 2 fromt here )