Posts in Category: action
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! Firehole Springs?
I think this is called Firehole Springs. It is on the Firehole Lake Drive at any rate. A common thermal feature of Yellowstone National Park, these boiling springs are fascinating. Dangerously so. You do not want to put your hand in there. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 75 and 508 mm equivalents. Program mode. Processed in Photomator. Video assembled in LumaFusion and resized for upload in VDIT.
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! Never cry wolf 2
Wolf: Yellowstone National Park — The other wolf…not as close as yesterday’s but still satisfyingly close…across the road and up the hill. Black wolf. Note the contrast with the eyes 🙂 Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Hunting
Coyote: Haden Valley, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Coming back from a lightning one day tour of the Tetons to our AirBnB in Gardiner, we found this Coyote hunting a hillside right by the road. This is the long version of the typical pounce…several yards. 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! Dad, mom, and junior
Moose: Floating Island Pond, Yellowstone National Park, USA, September 2024 — In the golden light of morning we stoped for a mother moose teaching her well grown calf to feed while swimming in the waters of Floating Island Pond, watched over by the Bull. When they left the pond we had excellent views of all three as they worked their way over a small ridge into the next valley. 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. (Posting tonight as we are off early tomorrow morning.)
Yellowstone! Elk on the terrace
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Something you don’t see every day. A herd of elk climbing a thermal terrace. The dominant stag is driving his harem to a new feeding area. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 222mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Bugler
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, USA — a large herd of Elk have taken up residence right in downtown Mammoth Hot Springs, on the lawns and the central green and around the thermal terraces. This is the patriarch of the herd, bugling his dominance in the early morning light while the sun is still only on the tops of the mountains. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm. Close to full frame though we kept a respectful distance. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Incoming!
Great Egret: York County, Maine, USA, September 2024 — The group of Egrets and Herons were close, by Maine standards, to the trail already when this Great Egret decided to move to a pool right in front of me. I got the camera in action and flight mode in time to catch a burst of shots as it crossed the marsh toward me and landed. Another study in wing power. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my action and flight modifications. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.