Yellowstone! Parking Area Security Yellowstone Style
Raven: Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Every parking lot and pull-off in Yellowstone has its Raven. They might work in shifts, but there is always one waiting when you park up…rarely more than one at a pull-off, and only one even in a fair sized parking area. The big parking areas, of course: Old Faithful, Tower Falls, Canyon Village, Fishing Bridge, etc. have a small squad of them, but fewer than you might think. They are apparently very efficient and very protective of their assigned area. I bet there is a waiting list for every position. This handsome bird was at the main parking on Firehole Lake Drive and he was so bold that he continued to explore the contents of an unattended duffle bag in back of a pick-up as we approached (undoubtedly checking for explosive materials…someone has to do it 🙂 Ravens are very smart birds, tool users, and the zipper on the duffle was no challenge for this obviously experienced bird. We got so close, with him sitting on the rail of the pick-up, that I took this head-shot, showing off his mid-night plumage and bright eye and stout beak as the wind ruffled his feathers, at 600mm equivalent. He remained on station, until the pick-up’s owner and family came back and dismissed him and put the duffle back together. Job well done. He did not go far. He was still sitting in the grass near where the pick-up had been when we pulled away. Doing his job. Keeping parking safe. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Surprise Spring
Off Firehole Lake Drive you come to Surprise Spring, a crystal clear hot spring with an intermittent steam eruption. It was not super active on the day we visited, but it is still surprising and surprisingly beautiful. Just look at those colors. The video captures it a bit better. Sony a5100 with the Sony E 10-18 f4 zoom at 15 and 27mm equivalents. Program mode and, obviously, movie mode. Processed in Photomator. Video edited in Lumafusion and VidDay (resizing for posting).
Yellowstone! Elk Cows
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — While the big bull elk are the stars of the show, it would be a mistake to pass over the more subtle beauty of the cows and calves. Especially in the early morning sun. These four shots are from the herd that hangs out in and around Mammoth Hot Springs…#24’s harem. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent, except for the cow and calf which was 384mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Roaring Mountain
Roaring Mountain, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — A soft rock (solfatera) mountain with many fumaroles (steam vents). This mountain side has been an attraction since the early days of the park. Apparently it was much more active in the early days, and you could actaully hear the roar, but it still puts on a show when the temperatures are cool. The fumaroles are the hottest thermal features of the park, as superheated water flashes to live steam as it emerges and not just hot mist. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 75mm equivalent, and the Sony a5100 with Sony E 10-18 f4 at 27mm equivalent. a6700, Program mode. a5100, Superior Auto with Landscape scene mode selection. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! moving the harem
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — #24 moving his harem and family up over the foot of the upper terrace of Mammoth Hot Springs. Bulging all the way. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent (close ups) and 99mm equivalent (wide shot). I am really enjoying this lens for both wildlife and landscape. 🙂 Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Above Old Falls Pond
It would not be fall in southern Maine (or at least to me), if I did not get out to photograph the stretch of stream above the bride at Old Falls Pond. This is the Sony a5100 with the E 10-18 f4 zoom at 15mm equivalent. Superior Auto with Landscape Mode selection. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! putting on the ritz
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Buck elk…though they are commonly called bull elk that is not correct, as elk are deer not antelope or cows…they shed their horns and regrow them every year…so, this buck elk is putting on his mating scent and a dominance show for the females in hopes of a successful rutting season. Bucks dig into the ground, often after urinating on it, and toss the weeds and grasses up over their back, spreading their mating scent (with comes from a gland by their eyes), all over. They also rub antlers on trees and brush, and generally make a show of themselves, dominating their territory and their harem, and letting any other bucks in the area know who is charge. When you see a buck with vegetation in its antlers, you know he is ready to party. Yes, well I am sure tuxedos on us look silly to an elk too. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Lower Terrace, Mammoth Hot Springs
I was genuinely surprised how much I used the Tamron 50-400 for landscape on my trip to Yellowstone. The scale of the scenery lends itself to a more focused view, and the 75-100mm equivalent on the Tamron is ideal. Yes I would have, a few time, liked a bit wider view (if the rumored Tamron 20-400 is any good I may be tempted), but for the most part the 50-400 did an excellent job framing the vast landscape and the smaller landscape details. These shots of the lower terrace of Mammoth Hot Springs were all taken with the Tamron at various focal lengths for framing, and come as close to capturing the wonder of the place as, at least I, have ever managed, and certainly better than any single wide angle shot. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VXD zoom at various focal length equivalents for framing. Program mode. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! #24 in sunlight
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2014 — We eventually did get to see #24 in all his glory in the full, if still early, sun. This is a buck elk to recon with. As the sun touched the ridge on the far side of the valley and lit up the terrace of the hot springs behind us, #24 quickly crossed the road, along with most of his harem, to feed in the tall grasses at the foot of the terrace. He paused just on the other side to bugle the rest of the herd across the road…showing us all of his good sides. Note how healthy he looks…the smoothness of his coat, the tone of his muscles. This is an elk buck in his prime. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VDX zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Elk morning
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Still in the shadow of the eastern ridge above Mammoth, the elk were already moving up from the town center across the lower ridges toward the higher country above the springs. #24, the dominant bull, was herding his harem and family higher up the slopes before attempting to cross the road just below the upper terrace of the springs. His is one of the larger herds of elk in the park. We watched them move slowly through the sage for more than 30 minutes, the bulls sense of urgency off-set by the cows’ and calves’ need for a morning feed. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 250-600mm equivalents for framing. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.