My recent trip to Yellowstone

After coming back, I had to sort through 1100 images. Photographing animals is for me ‘shoot first and ask questions later’. This time, I got some really nice action sequences. Great shots from a wildlife perspective, but I am not sure anyone would want to hang such an image in the living room 🙂

The trip was great and it was disappointing. I had so many expectations and, naturally some of them did not get fulfilled. I did not get to see any wolves within shooting distance. I saw some through a spotting scope on the other side of the valley, though. On the other hand, there was a grizzly sow with 2 cubs and a moose. Overall, I was happy with the weather; some clouds, the wind was cool on a few days, just below freezing 2 nights and incredible sights the following morning.

Usually, I settle into Madison Campground and then go from there.Due to the road construction and the need to be early in the places, I decided to spend only a few nights in one place and then move to the another: Madison – Mammoth – Grant Village. I decided to sleep in the car so I would not have to deal with taking a tent down at 6am or come back for it. My favorite area for wildlife was along the Madison River. May be it also had to do with all the mist rising from the river after the first cold night. Lamar Valley was hazy due to the wildfire. The smoke drifted down into it. Hayden Valle was also rich with the grizzlies and then some mists in the morning. Seeing the moose at the East entrance was sheer luck, helped a bit by the information from another, friendly photographer.

I have whittled the photos down to 65 and posted all on my Flickr site in the set Recent Trips. Here are some images to whet your appetite. Which one is your favorite among the ones here and / or including the ones on Flickr. I’d love to hear from you.