Posts in Category: wildlife
Yellowstone! Carcass
Grizzly Bear and Wolves (and Ravens): Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park — There was a bison carcass way out on the ridge in the Hayden Valley, at least a half mile from the road. that was attracting two Grizzly Bears and a small pack of wolves for several days while we were in Yellowstone. There was a Bear Jam on the road pretty much all the daylight hours of each day. They were far enough away so you could barely find them with naked eye, and on this day, the first day, the wind was blowing up over the ridge the road follows at gale force, and there was a lot of dust in the air. It was all I could do to keep my feet, let alone keep the camera steady. Still. This is a very heavy crop…4mp from 26…and it is a testament to the quality of the Sony sensor and the Tamron lens that you can see any detail at all, especially considering the atmospheric conditions. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Hunter
Great Blue Heron: York County, Maine, USA, November 2024 — I posted a hunting Coyote from Yellowstone already this morning, but here is a local hunter…hunter of the November marsh along the river just back from the ocean. About as different as you can get, but hunting is hunting, and if you take the time to compare the two you will see a similar attitude in both Coyote and Heron. A similar intensity. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Hunter
Coyote: Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — While waiting for the wolves and bears to be visible on the distant carcass in the Hayden Valley we were treated to this hunting Coyote, realitively close (at least compared to the bear and wolves), a hundred yards below us in the stream-bed. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
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! 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.