The Song Came from the Forest

Feb 7, 2024 | Wildlife Photography

Gray Wolves captured by Z 9 / Z600f4 TC @840mm

Wolves display all sorts of attributes. The unity of the pack is one that tugs at my heart as they are all for one and one for all the majority of the time. It has been shown that each wolf has a unique howl and that they communicate various aspects of life through a howl. Personally, unless they are close and there are multiple individuals howling at the same time, it all sounds the same. On this amazing morning, we were parked when we heard from the forest the howl of one, and then two wolves. It never lasts long enough for my liking but it’s a song I never forget from each encounter. The Northern Rocky Wolves have slowly made progress in reclaiming some of their historic range. Once you’re in their home you will know what I mean as you say, “the song came from the forest.”

Timeless Steam Needs Time

Feb 7, 2024 | Landscape Photography

Fountain Flats captured by Z 8 / Z24-120

I could a lifetime watching the steam in Yellowstone as it boils from the ground and fills the air until after a short travel, it disappears. This process is a 365 /24/ 7 which we can only witness when the air temp gets low, below freeing to below zero is the best. This morning the air temp was 19 degrees and the steam was putting on quite the show. The darken skies were the perfect backdrop of the drama. Having watched steam a lot, I’ve come to learn its a pillow, cloudy, soft form, not sharp by any means. I dropped the shutter speed down to 1/20 to render it that way, soft. The trees, the clouds, they are sharp giving the steam a space to tell their brief story. The timeless steam needs time.

Griz … Now?!

Jan 31, 2024 | Wildlife Photography

Yellowstone Griz captured by Z 9 / 800f5.6 AFS

You might not have noticed, but the Rookies are kinda dry, kinda warm. How dry and warm you ask? So much so that bears are not only out and about, but wildlife officials are warning folks to do out with bear spray! Biologists said a couple bears never went into hibernation this past winter with others taking only a “short nap.” What does this mean for the bears? That’s a great question. Typically they would come out of hibernation a few months from now to carrion that succumbed to a harsh winter. Well, the winter is not harsh so there isn’t much if any carrion. And plants are still dormant that they would feast on in spring. Only time will tell but I’m not ready to look for griz … now!

One, Na, Three Better!

Jan 30, 2024 | Landscape Photography

[dipi_panorama type=”2D Image” image2d=”https://www.moosepeterson.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/DLCWYYS621274k-scaled.jpg” direction=”Horizontal” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/dipi_panorama]

Fountain Paint Pot Flats captured by Z 8 / Z24-120f4 (click on image and slide it right and left to view entire pano)

The vast landscape of Yellowstone comes to life in the winter when the temperatures drop and all the steam comes to life. The explosive nature of Yellowstone becomes even more apparent when that hot steam smacks the cold air and then is lite up by sunrise. One of my favorite spots in The Park to witness and photograph this mighty act of nature is Fountain Paint Pot Flats. This particular morning we were out to watch the wolf pack we’d seen the night before tuck themselves into the forest to the right of the pano. As the sun rose we heard the howls and then the sun squeezed through the clouds for a heart beat for one of the finest moments I’ve been fortunate to witness in The Park. No one click told the whole wonder, the entire grandeur which meant three images were required. Slide the pano above, you will feel the chill, be warmed by the light and agree one, na, three better!

Got a Bone to Pick

Jan 25, 2024 | Wildlife Photography

Coyote captured by Z 9 / Z600f4 TC

Bison are the heart and soul of the west, and of Yellowstone. These giant creatures roam the landscape and for all time have sculpted it into the world we see today. Their last act on this earth is to serve the natural community one more time. This old bull succumed to stress in the Firehole River last Friday in dramatic fashion (that story still to tell) and now what’s left is being slowly picked over. Here, a Coyote with an injured right hind leg has its turn at the pickings. It is an amazing process that we spent hours for a third day observing and photographing.

The Changing Landscape

Jan 24, 2024 | B&W Photography, Landscape Photography

Lower Yellowstone River captured by Z 8 / Z24-120

The Yellowstone River is an impressive act of nature! It’s a view I’ve stopped to take in many times but looking through all my files from years passed, not taken. Why when it is so gorgeous? Because normally it’s all white as the river is frozen solid. Only if you know the point would you know the river is there. This year though, it’s not been cold enough for the river to freeze over and the snow fall could be called a trace. To give you some idea how little snow, normally when you cruise Yellowstone this time of year, the landscape is a carpet of white, snow covers the world. This year it’s a sea of sage brush with white at its base. That’s four to five feet of snow that’s missing. It’s a scene that’s still beautiful but a bit scary, the changing landscape.
error: Content is protected !!