Posts in Category: wildlife
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.
Yellowstone! Red Dogs
American Bison: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Though it was very late in the season, I was surprised to find a few Red Dogs among the Bison herds. Bison calves are born with reddish brown, sometimes almost orange, coats, and are “red” for a few months after birth. Calves are generally born in April and May, so these must have been late calves. They are precocious, and are on their feet and can keep up with the herd within hours of being born. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Mom and calf Moose
Moose: Floating Island Lake, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — breakfast time is over and the cow and calf are making tracks for the ridge and wherever they spend the day. The early autumn sun and their wet hides make them look like polished brass. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Momma Moose
Moose: Floating Island Lake, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Mom moose seemed to prefer the reeds under the water…perhaps because they were more tender. In this portrait the colors make or break it…the autumn tones of the reeds, the early morning sun, the reflections in the water. And it is, of course both head-and-shoulders and over-the-shoulder. 🙂 Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Moose
Moose: Floating Island Lake, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Another morning, same moose. The bull, cow, and calf were at Floating Island Lake in Yellowstone when we returned the next morning. This time the bull was more cooperative, standing side on rather than butt towards us. We had to wait until the sun moved the shadow of a tall tree off him, but then he posed nicely for us. This is not a particularly large bull, which is why, perhaps, he was riding close attendance on this cow and calf, hoping to improve his chances when she is receptive. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm and 187mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! The business end
American Bison: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — As I mentioned before, Bison are eating machines, head down and sucking up grass 90% (well at least 80%) of daylight hours. Catching one with its head up for a photo requires patience, and a while to spend with Bison. Eating is the business of bison, and this is the business end. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Not a zoo
American Bison: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — It is easy to come back from Yellowstone with way too many photos of bison. When we first got there we could not find Bison. We saw only one or two in 2 days in the Hayden Valley, where they are generally plentiful, and none in West Yellowstone on our one visit there. ?? We assumed they were all in the Lamar Valley, and, indeed we found them there, several large herds. By then, and by chance, chasing a rumor of Grizzly, we found that they were back in sight in Hayden. One theory is that, because of the unseasonably warm weather, they were staying in on the high plateau meadows and not coming down into the valleys. Hard to say. Not a zoo. Yellowstone is not a zoo. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Contentment
American Bison: Slough Creek, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — For the most part Bison project contentment. They are eating machines, head down in the grasses 80% of daylight hours…and with their size and weight it takes that to keep them happy…content. That general air of complacency makes their sudden violent outbursts all the more impressive…and makes them as dangerous as they undoubtedly are. I would much rather face a wolf at 20 paces than a bison…and I would never do either intentionally. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Bison
American Bison: Slough Creek, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — We stopped at Slough Creek to see if we could see the wolves…but it was too late in the day. We did, however find this bull Bison standing guard on a ridge as the herd fed in the valley below him. As they say, a nice specimen. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm and 75mm equivalent…both ends of the zoom. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.