Yellowstone! More Pronghorn
Pronghorn: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Here you see the buck Pronghorn doing what I talked about yesterday…rounding up a couple of stragglers to keep his herd together, acting very much like a sheep dog. He is happiest when his charges are as close as in the second photo. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Slough Creek
Slough Creek has been, for many years, the place to see wolves in Yellowstone. They have denned several different spots on the far slopes in this wide angle landscape. From the Slough Creek access road you get “scope” views. They are so far away what you do not get much at all with any conventional camera set-up…so not my favorite place to see wolves…but one of the only relatively reliable spots in the park. Which means there is always a crowd, and parking is always a challenge. Another reason it not my favorite place. 🙂 Still, it is one of them of the most beautiful little valleys in Yellowstone, and always worth a landscape shot. Sony a5100 with E 10-18 f4 wide zoom at 15mm equivalent. Superior Auto with Landscape Scene Select. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Pronghorn
Pronghorn: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — We used to call these Pronghorn Antelope, but they never were part of the Antelope family. Pronghorn have a family all their own, and while distantly related to the antelopes of Africa and Asia, and goats and deer world-wide, their closest relatives are the giraffes and okapi of central, east, and south Africa. What I found most interesting in watching this small herd is the way the bucks “herd” the does and fawns exactly as a sheep dog herds sheep, from behind mostly, working the edges to keep them bunched and moving, and aggressively running down any that would stray. Fun to watch. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm and 423mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Bison Jam
American Bison: Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Bison Jams are common in the Lamar Valley. When the Bison are ready to cross the road, they cross the road, and, if you have any sense, you stop and let them do it. Photographers pull off and attempt photos. Generally it all goes well and no bison or photographers are harmed before the jam breaks up. The first against the trees was taken from the back seat, through the windshield. 🙂 Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! I like your pheromones
American Bison: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — As I mentioned yesterday, the rut was really just about over when we visited Yellowstone in late September, early October, but evidently a few cows were still receptive. When there were any in a herd, it increased the overall activity in the herd enough to notice. And there was some of this pheromone sniffing going on. I thought we might get to see some actual mating…but no…not this day. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Fall ducks
Mallards: York County, Maine, USA, October 2024 — Mallards on the fall reflections in a small pond. Just because. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Feeling his oats
American Bison: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Bison are mostly placid animals, even the bulls, but during rutting season you can catch some action. Rut was mostly past in the Lamar Valley when we got there, but this bull had apparently not gotten the memo. He was actively defending what appeared to be a still receptive cow. A bull from an adjacent group was showing interest. He was having none of that! I would not want to see this fellow coming for me. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Bison in the landscape
It is impossible to separate the landscape of Yellowstone from its wildlife…a pretty obvious statement when you get to think about it…but one that grows on you the longer your visit is, and the more thoughtfully you view the world. The Bison were made for these hills and high plateaus, meandering rivers and steams, and yes, even the hot springs and geysers, and the landscape was made for them. And they live in a simple balance and a harmony that is just as it ought to be…or as close as we will let it be in our way too complicated world. Sony a5100 with Sony E 10-18 f4 wide angle zoom at 27mm equivalent, and Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 123mm equivalent. Superior Auto and Program Mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.
Yellowstone! Big boy bison
American Bison: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — We were pulled off the road, photographing an active herd of Bison in a little dip in the hills below the road, when we turned to find this bull on the ridge behind us, and uncomfortably close. He had snuck up on as he came down off the plateau behind. The slope between us on the road and him on the ridge was steep enough so we were not worried he would come down on us…he would have to turn either left or right to find a path down to the road, and eventually did that. But not before giving us a great view. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Great Blue in Autumn Marsh
Great Blue Heron: York County, Maine, USA, October 2024 — The marsh is never so colorful as in late October when the grasses are turning, and the Great Blue Heron stands out even more. If you look closely you will see the tiny, what looks to be a Sand Eel, it just caught. The past few years the Herons have stayed right into winter. As long as they are still taking enough prey to continue to put on weight they will be with us…and that might be until the marsh freezes over. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.