Shades of Day
I’m pretty sure that today was one of the most amazing photography experiences I’ve ever had in Yellowstone. With the edge of a storm playing just above us, the light was amazing all day long -everywhere we went. I couldn’t even begin to describe it, so I have a host of images that I’ll be posting over the next few days to convey what I am unable to with words.
Today’s image was taken in the Lamar Valley, the only portion of the Park with a maintained road during the winter. We saw 19 or 20 wolves, which is the most that I’ve seen in one day. There were three groups of 6 or 7 each, then a lone, dark gray who sings about his isolation to the wind.
I’m riding a fine line here - I’ve never been much of a wildlife photographer (at the very least, I don’t have the lenses to support it) and I don’t want to become ‘pegged’ as a Yellowstone photographer (living near the Park has its side-effects in this regard). But here I am again, posting shots from Yellowstone and just giddy with excitement at the buffalo image I’ll be posting in the next day or two…
Wonderful tonal shot. The day you’ve described sounds extremely exciting. It’s been 6yrs or so since I’ve been able to visit Yellowstone, so I have not been able to really experience the wolves since their re-introduction to the park recently. My parents visit the park regularly and have sent me various articles relating to issues surrounding them. In my eyes, it sounds as if the re-introduction has been a success.
Have you ever entered the park via snowmobile? Just a couple years ago, you were able to go in at your leisure as long as you kept to the trail, but that may have changed recently.
I’m looking forward to seeing the photos you’ve described. Especially the buffalo. I wouldn’t worry about the “wildlife photographer” issue, you have a unique style that doesn’t look like your typical wildlife shot. The wildlife in Yellowstone is amazing, and hard to resist, they’re really part of its landscape.
Diane,
Thank you for your kind words, I’m really excited about this week’s images and am glad you’re here to enjoy them.
The reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone has been a complete success. There were issues with parvo in recent years, but that seems to have been taken care of and the population is growing quickly. This past year was one of the best breeding years on the (short) record for Yellowstone - many, many healthy pups. A conversation I had with the head volunteer for the Yellowstone Association Institute was pretty interesting - she said there are wolves showing up in Lamar that no one is sure where they came from. Granted, it’s big country out here and the wolves have had years to move about freely, but it seems their numbers are a good deal more than anyone expected or realized until recently.
I’ve not actually snowmobiled in the Park, though it is still something they allow. The number of daily riders has been cut back in the past few years, primarily due to pollution and ‘disturbance’ concerns. It’s something I’ve wanted to do, but since I live here I never feel rushed…and then another year goes by.
And thanks for your comment about wildlife photography. It’s a field I admire, I’ve just never focused on it much (no pun). You’re right, it’s all part of the landscape in Yellowstone, so I’ll just keep on shootin!
Best,
Cody