Absaroka Mountains captured by Z 8 / Z180-600
No two mountains are the same, each one having their own characteristics, charm and inhabitants. While I live just a few mountain ranges to the west, I so look forward and enjoy venturing through each and every one for their own uniqueness. What will they share with me this week? The mountains are calling!
Last Color captured by Z 8 / Z180-600
Nestled in the corner in a wall of green, the last vestiges of fall hold on against the inevitable. The white outline of the night’s snow brings detail to every needle on the pine, setting the stage for the eye-popping color. Though it was across the valley, I couldn’t help but see the color as I drove by. The God skrim brought the right softness to the light and at the same time, saturation. All that was required to make the shot was a little telephoto isolation to what I felt was color holding on to the last moment.
Yellowstone River captured by Z 6III / Z24-70f2.8II
As winter starts to creep over the landscape, the cooler temps and dew point introduce fog to the landscape. There are a couple of locales in Yellowstone that, when I see the right combo of numbers, I like to head to for sunrise. One of the furthest is where Alum Creek feeds into the Yellowstone River. We’ve been fortunate to be there in the past when the magic unfolds, filling cards and the heart. The end of October, though, was a special morning on the river. The fog was moving about as the sun slowly rose, raising and fading with the slightly warmer temp. As the fog danced, so did the color. Behind us at the forest’s edge, the Wapiti Pack was singing. It was the morning of dreams, one we didn’t want to ever stop. In my mind, it was the morning of awe.
Yellowstone River captured by Z 6III / Z24-70f2.8II
Kodiak Brown Bear captured by Z 8 / Z600f4TC w/Z2x
This female Kodiak Brown Bear is on a mission, get fat! It’s late September and most likely, she’s pregnant, to give birth to cubs in the den over winter. She’s eating for more than one driving her to consume as many calories as possible while using as few as possible. So then, why during the Pink Salmon run is she spending time eating grass? How are beef cattle fattened up for the market? They eat lots of grass. The Kodiak Brown bear is doing the exact same thing with the same results. This female, coming up on nine hundred pounds, seems to know how to put on the weight.
Bringing this story back only truly requires ignoring urban myths. I’m standing out in the open. No hiding the gear on the tripod, myself or any scent I might have. I’m on the same side of the river as her, nothing between us if she chooses to run the thirty yards between us. My only concern is heat shimmer and telling her story. She strolled from where she was picking through the spent salmon to eat, past me to where she wanted to graze. She gave me no never mind in the process. Standing at the river’s edge, I’m eyelevel with her when she’s munching salmon, shooting up when she’s up eating grass.
It’s a fascinating world where you might have hours of hours without making a single click. Then in a matter of seconds, you make thousands. A Kodiak Brown’s pace is, well, whatever they so desire, with little changing their mind. They work off the lessons mom taught them their first three to four years and when it comes to getting fat, one stands out. Mom said to eat your vegetables.
Kodiak Brown Bear captured by Z 8 / Z600f4TC w/Z2x
Baldy Town, Philmont Scout Ranch captured by Z 8 / Z24-70f2.8II
I love fall! I love the light, the color, the calm, looking forward to it every year. And it seems that every year I make the same mistake, which is not good. I see it out the window of the plane, the truck, the home, admiring the view, but not making or taking the time to share it with you all! There is no excuse as I know all too well I run the risk of not seeing or being able to photograph it next year. But another fall has gone by and I only have a couple of shoots celebrating it with my camera. That time thing, dang nabit! So I sit here looking at the bare branches. And the color guilt begins.
Great Gray Owl captured by Z 8 / Z600f4TC w/Z2x
Those eyes! The Great Gray Owl is a gorgeous critter with the most engaging, piercing eyes. The first goal is to find them, then get them in the viewfinder and then, then, select the best background. Wait, you don’t set up for the eyes? You want to see them big yellow peepers if you have a suckie background, so it has to be a priority. One must take a deep breath and not let the moment take hold of common sense. It’s a moment you want to forever cherish in your images and tell the story that engages the viewer. This is when a fast firing rate comes in handy as the owl scans left and right, up and down, using that huge facial disk to find its prey. In that process, you watch and fire as those eyes come down the lens barrel. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t. Its the fun and challenge of the stare of the Great Gray.
Great Gray Owl captured by Z 8 / Z600f4TC w/Z2x