Yellowstone, September 15 & 16, 2012

A grizzly bear looks around after napping for hours along the Yellowstone River in the Hayden Valley of Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 7D and 500/4.0L IS + 1.4TC III in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of 0 at ISO200, f/7.1, and 1/400th of a second. The camera was mounted on a Gitzo 3540XLS and Induro GHB2 gimbal head.

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Way back in September I took some students from my ART247 Nature Photography course to Yellowstone for the weekend. We left Billings at 5am and raced over the Beartooth Pass in time to shoot sunrise, it was a crisp morning. The morning chill was fleeting and as we made our way into the park you could have told us it was July with the warm temperatures and crowds.

We made our way over Dunraven Pass and into Hayden Valley where we spent a few hours with the darkest grizzly bear I have seen in ages. From there we had an uneventful drive South along the Lake and up to Old Fateful, where I got to play tourist. After watching the eruption from the parking lot we decided to have lunch, go for a walk and wait for a second eruption. We made our way North towards Norris to watch the Cygnet Fire as it flared up in the hot and dry conditions.

Sunset was spent in Mammoth with a bull elk and then photographing the incredibly dry Upper Terraces (dryer than I have ever seen them). Pizza at our favorite spot...K-BAR, and then off to the Super 8 for a great nights sleep.

Up early and South towards Maddison, but we got distracted by the sun rising through thick smoke from the fire. The Valley was warm and relatively void of elk, so we made our way to Firehole drive to try our hand with photographing the falls before the sunlight got into the Canyon. From there we made our way to Great Fountain Geyser just in time for an eruption.

After that we made an uneventful trip back out of the park towards the Beartooth Pass, we only stopped to shoot some of the falling leaves. As we made our way up the Pass snow started to fill the sky, and atop the Pass we found an opening in the storm and made some landscapes of the fall foliage, snow and grand vistas from the "top of the world."

The students had a great time, and I take the rest of my students to the park this weekend, but the weather promises to be much cooler this weekend.

Make the jump to go through the online gallery, I ask that you leave comments/criticism or at least give your favorites a thumbs up...Thanks!

If you have questions, ask. I published the camera information with each image and have added full keywords to share just about anything you would want to know about the images.

Happy shooting

Yellowstone & Grand Teton, Sep. 29 - Oct. 3

Mount Moran and changing aspens reflect from the calm waters of OxBow Bend on a cool fall morning in Grand Teton National Park. Captured with a Canon 5DII 70-200/2.8L IS II in manual mode at ISO100, f/7.1, and 1/320th of a second. The camera was mounted on a Gitzo 3540XLS tripod with Arca-Swiss Z1sp ball head a cable release was used in LiveView (mirror lockup) mode.

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I went on this trip a month ago. I misplaced my trip notes and my mind is a bit rusty at the moment, so this post will be short. Plus, the images do a great job speaking for themselves.

I left work Thursday afternoon on the 29 with plenty of time to get my tires rotated and still make it to the top of the Beartooth Pass in time to shoot sunset. On my way, I stooped to shoot dust, seed and insects aglow in the last light of the day, before racing to the top of the pass. I reached my planned sunset spot as the sun was drooping behind the mountains (actually, I had plenty of time). Some might think I was running late, but my plan was actually to shoot the sliver moon setting behind the sun, and it all worked out.

With the pass still under construction, I had to leave a bit before I wanted to, so I could make it through to Lilly Lake before the road closed at 20:00h. I made it with five minutes to spare and drove up to the empty lake where I got my camera in position to capture a single 2h34m56s star trail exposure of the scene.

When I had my tires rotated, I asked that they leave my tire pressure a bit high, as I was heading to the pass where it would be much cooler. They neglected to follow my request, and the combination of low tire pressure and a poorly placed rock left me with a flat.

I changed my tire, and decided I should head back to Billings, MT to get a new tire. On my way home, I photographed sunrise at one of my favorite lakes, then some small little scenes as the light began to spill over the mountains.

At the top of the pass, I found three mountain goats that demanded I photograph them before continuing on. As I descended the pass, I decided I should shoot a few more scenes on the off chance that I decided not to head back to the park after my tire situation. Rock Creek called out to be photographed, and then I happened on a pool that was turning with aspen leaves that I simply could not pass up.

I continued back to Billing, MT where I ended up buying four new tires for the second time this year, and the fourth set of tires that my 2009 Subaru Outback has had. I went home, took a shower and decided that I should call it a trip.

By about 20:00h I had flipped back and forth between staying in town and returning to the park about 100 times. I went to bed, still undecided, but by the time I awoke it was settled: time to leave for the park. I drove to Cody, WY, as I needed to return a pair of boots to Sierra Trading Post. I did a little shopping, had an unhealthy lunch and headed into Yellowstone where I found a fire burning near the Lake.

I headed up Dunraven Pass where I ran into a friend who had decided to head to the park last minute, too. We chatted about our plans for the next few days, and I confessed that my original plan was to be in the Tetons already, but after my "bad luck" I was thinking it a sign to stay in Yellowstone. We parted ways as a rainbow appeared, and although I had just said I was staying in YNP I took this as a sign to shoot sunset then drive toward the Tetons. Before I got the chance I came across another group of friends photographing a Great Grey owl near Rainy Lake. The light was quickly fading, so I left a bit early to try and find a place to shoot sunset.

Near Petrified Tree Drive a shaft of golden light broke through the clouds just for me. That was all the signs I needed to start my drive toward the Tetons, exhausted as I was. I drove to some National Forest land where I decided to sleep in my car, as sunrise was only 4h30m away.

I was at OxBow Bend third or forth and headed to my secondary location to shoot the sunrise from the east of the bend. I like to use that spot when I am not the first one there because it is impossible to be in anyones shot from the location. Unfortunately for me, even when the crowds grew three "gentlemen" decided to go and position themselves in all of our planned shots as the light was reaching the peak of Mount Moran. Some folks started yelling at them, so one left the group and joined the crowd above. I changed my composition and kept shooting.

A cloud choked off the light before it really got good, and many folks left for Schwabacher's Landing, but I chose to stay. My decision paid off as first light on the trees was filtered through the edge of the clouds and it was pretty cool.

The light got a bit harsh, so I headed off towards the smoke that filled the southern half of the park, but I did not make it far. Nice light, quarter horses, clouds, and a background of the Teton Range made me stop. As I stopped others did too, and my morning of rude "photographers" continued as a number of people walked right past me, looked at what I was shooting, and then steeped in front of me. They got theirs though, as moments after everyone left a rainbow appeared in the magical scene. I took off running, like a mad man, to position the rainbow with the herd and three golden cottonwoods. There was only one couple present with the rainbow, so there was no one to get in my shot.

The rainbow faded, so I continued south, looking for moose/bear/anything. I ended up in Jackson, WY waiting for 11:00h, so I could get some Mountain High Pizza (I LOVE MOUNTAIN HIGH PIZZA). I really love pizza and a small whole wheat crust pepperoni pizza is my favorite thing to enjoy while in Jackson, WY.

After lunch I headed back to the park to scout for...whatever I could find. I headed up Signal Mountain where I photographed a few classic Teton B&W scenes and a dusky blue grouse. As it was getting late I decided to go and pinpoint where I wanted to shoot sunrise from at OxBow the next day. I arrived to some interesting clouds and light, so as I marked my spot I took a few "interesting" shots.

I finished the afternoon with a walk through the changing aspens, then began my hike up the hillside to photograph OxBow Bend from above at sunset. The view was unique, and the sliver moon even made an appearance. Off to camp...

Up and at OxBow Bend more than two hours before sunrise, so I could be first and get my spot. The morning was chilly and filled with steam, but that made for some nice images. Struggling to keep my cold lenses fog free as the sun warmed the bend I had plenty to worry about. Fortunately (sarcasm) a couple of "professional photographers" set up along the shore directly in my shot. They apologized, "moved" just beyond the edge of my frame and promised to keep their arms down and not to get in my way. The last part proved too difficult for them do handle, and after reminding them about five times I just gave up and changed my composition slightly, and refrained from shooting when they stuck their elbows into my frame.

The morning started off slow, but I picked up quickly, as the clouds and light decided to play nice. I even had a pair of American bald eagles fly through my frame, but even their near distance proved too far for a wide angle lens. I must just not be as good as Tom Mangelsen ;)

I left and headed up Signal Mountain where I have long wanted to photograph the Tetons with fall colors through the long dead stump, so I did.

I took the long way out of the park, spotted a black bear and some moose, but decided not to take any photos. My drive through Yellowstone was uneventful, as was the drive over the Beartooth Pass. I mean some great rays of light broke through the clouds to illuminate a few alpine lakes, but that is nothing new.

Wow, I did a pretty good job remembering the trip details without my notes, even after a month and two other trips.

Make the jump to go through the online gallery, I ask that you leave comments/criticism or at least give your favorites a thumbs up...Thanks!

If you have questions, ask. I published the camera information with each image and have added full keywords to share just about anything you would want to know about the images.

Happy shooting

Yellowstone and the Beartooth Pass, September 24-26, 2011

A grove of quaking aspen shimmer in the midday light on a warm fall afternoon along the Beartooth Pass. Captured with a Canon 5DII and 17-40L in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of + 1 1/3 at ISO200, f/16, and 1/100th of a second. The camera was handheld.

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First I need to say, "I LOVE the Beartooth Pass!"

After my car trouble earlier in the month I decided to make a quick three day trip to Yellowstone via the Beartooth Pass. My gut said that the leaves should be starting to turn up on the pass, and in fact they were. But I am getting ahead of myself, as usual there were plenty of last minute issues at work, so I left a bit later than I wanted. Racing to the top of the pass I arrived just in time for the sun to fall behind the mountains. That is fine, as I am one of those photographers that shoots sunset after the sun sets... imagine that.

Some beautiful clouds had developed and they were an ideal canvas for the sun to paint its magical colors onto. The color was so overwhelming that I was coaxed into creating a "sureal" high dynamic range image of the scene. I made sure to follow that up with plenty of straight captures of a scene that packed with color, even the alpine lakes were aglow with color.

There was not a cloud in the sky, so upon arriving at camp I decided to try my hand at some shots of the Milky Way, and set up a camera to click away a night timelapse (I have yet to find time to edit it). The sneaky Northern Lights, managed to slip into a few of my shots, thanks to the big solar eruption.

Morning comes early when you are a photographer, and the alarm awoke me before 5 a.m. so I could collect my gear, pack camp and get into Yellowstone before sunrise. Most of you know that I use lunar predictions to help guide my wildlife photography, so it will come as little surprise that I also planned to shoot the moonrise that coincided with sunrise. I am a sucker for minimalist landscapes, so I was smitten with the conditions that I found at first light. As usually happens after first light, the sun raced into the sky and I was chasing the light. On my way back to the car I caught a glimpse of a red fox, so i proceeded to "chase" her for the next few hours.

"Chase" is not the right word, as she was putting on a show, and the light was following close behind. When I say she was putting on a show, I really mean it, she jumped up onto every rock she could find, and that made for some interesting images.

The show ended and I headed South. A brief stop to shoot a coyote, and I was back on my way out to Cody, Wyo. to return a pair of boots and look for an alternative for my upcoming trip to the Canadian Arctic.

I drove back to the Beartooth Pass via the Chief Joseph Highway, a beautiful drive that I have not made in a few years. I am captivated by the beauty of quaking aspen trees, especially in fall, so I spent some time shooting the colors before heading up the pass for sunset. Unfortunately the sunset got chocked off by some clouds, but you can't get the shot sitting in your tent, so I stuck it out.

The clouds gave way to the stars, so I set up and took some single exposure star trail images over Pilot Peek.

The next morning I attempted to shoot sunrise at the Buffalo Ranch, but it was a bust. I got in my car and went looking for my foxy friend from the day before, and I found her just where I expected to. She did just as much rock climbing as the day before, but she also did a better job hunting, and we all know that is when you get the "good" shots.

After a great conversation with some hobbiest photographer I decided it was too hot, and that I should head back up the Beartooth Pass. The sun was out, blue sky all around and the leaves looked beautiful in the midday light. Needless to say I spent numerous hours walking through groves of aspens taking shot after shot (thank God for digital) before calling it a day and heading back home via the pass.

As I have said before, and I'll say again, I love the shoulder seasons and I love the Beartooth Pass.

Make the jump to go through the online gallery, I ask that you leave comments/criticism or at least give your favorites a thumbs up... THANKS!

If you have questions, ask... I published the camera information with each image and have added full keywords to share just about anything you would want to know about the images.

Happy shooting

Yellowstone and the Beartooth Pass, September 9th

An ἅλως or halo, encompasses the sun as seen from atop the Beartooth Pass on a clear September day. Typically these are seen on extremely cold days and are caused by ice crystal in the sky, but this day the optical phenomenon was caused by smoke from a nearby fire. Captured with a Canon 5DII with 17-40/4.0L and Singh-Ray LB Polarizer in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of + 2/3 at ISO200, f/11, and 1/400th of a second. The camera was handheld from a prone position.

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Work delayed my trips planned departure by about 18 hours, and if that had been the only hitch on what was supposed to be a 5 day trip to Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks I would have been ecstatic. Unfortunately someone had other plans for me. I left for the park as soon as I finished my meeting, as my car had been packed for 24 hours.

I made good time to Red Lodge, filled up with gas and started up over the pass. There were small fires burning in a few places and the smoke in the air produced an optical phenomenon called an ἅλως or halo, that encompassed the sun. It was really something to see, and I was surprised at all of the cars that raced right past me as I worked the scene. I continued on until I noticed two of them intersecting, luckily I noticed this as I was pulling up to wait for the construction traffic to be let through. I had a great chat with a few of the construction workers, who all claim that they are going to finish their project this year.

After a half hour, or so, they let all of the cars proceed, and I was heading down the pass to one of my favorite aspen groves. There is a feature on me that will be in an upcoming magazine, and they needed a "recent" portrait of me. I also have a number of friends who have started complaining about my old avatar on Facebook, my blog, numerous forums and the like. I hiked up to the grove of aspens with two tripods/cameras/lenses, four "outfits" and some wireless lighting equipment. I proceeded to spend about an hour photographing myself to provide images for the upcoming article. I will admit that I felt a little silly as I tried to make myself laugh (and have it look real).

Back to my car and on my way down the pass toward Cooke City and Yellowstone, but luck would not have it. As I descended toward the Chief Joseph Highway intersection my "check engine" and "oil" lights came on, and moments later my engine quit, causing me to loose power steering, breaks and basically everything. I was descending rapidly, but I remained calm enough to muscle (I know that I don't have many) my car around the turn at the bottom of the hill and managed to time my exit from the road and complete stop perfectly. After a few calming breaths I popped the hood and checked the oil, it was empty, not dry, just empty. Unbeknownst to me when the dealer changed the oil in my car they neglected to tighten the drain plug, so the vibration and pressure of the pass caused it to work its way out and drop all of my engine's oil (I had driven about 143.7 miles sense the oil was changed). For those that do not know cars, that is a really bad thing to have happen and because of the angle I was traveling when it happened the car did not turn itself off before it destroyed the engine.

I was behind the last wave of cars through the pass, so I decided to hike up the nearest "mountain" to attempt to find cell coverage. Oddly as I reached the top I could email and check the internet, but I could not call or text (very odd, but it is Verizon, so Lord only knows). I made my way back to my car and waited for another wave of cars, so I could send a not in to Cooke City for a tow. After sending a note in it took a couple hours until a local drove back to pick me up, as the service station wanted a person to come in (I guess often they get a note go out to find that someone else already picked up the car). Long story short we loaded my car on the trailer and headed back to Cooke City to try to replace the drain plug, fill the car with oil and pray. It did not work, so that left me with the long ride back to Billings where I could drop the car off at the dealer's and get a ride home.

Saturday morning I was on the phone with the dealer, who seemed not to return my call, so I called the owner/manager who I have dealt with on past issues. He was very understanding, apologetic and passionate about being able to correct the situation. Unfortunately the Subaru techs were all out for the weekend, so they could not begin work on my car until Monday. They offered me a loaner, on Monday, but I rarely drive when I am in Billings, so I declined. They ordered a new motor, and predicted a Thursday delivery and Friday completion.

On Friday, they called to say that; "it looks like Saturday or... I am really sorry... as late as Monday evening before we can get everything fixed." With my plans for lots of work this weekend I did not care, but at 4:45p they called to say that they had finished my car and that I could come pick it up. When I arrived they were continually apologetic about their mistake and I learned that the fix cost Subaru over $7,200 plus the $850 tow bill (that they are reimbursing me for). The car runs better now than ever and my engine only has about 20 miles on it, while the rest of the car has over 52,000 miles (they also fixed a recall issue with the PZEV stuff).

The dealership did a good job fixing their mistake, and oddly thanked me for; "being the calmest person in a situation like this, that I have ever seen." I will not let the dealership's express lube change my oil again, and I expect that I will check my own oil filter and drain plug for a long time, but I am no worse for the wear. I also do not expect to keep this car much longer, chances are I will trade it in for something else (thinking truck) before spring. A big thanks to my colleague Jenny who both picked me up and took me back to the dealership, I think she now knows better than to be texting me when I get back into cell range on a return trip to Billings (especially when my car is on a trailer).

Make the jump to go through the online gallery, I ask that you leave comments/criticism or at least give your favorites a thumbs up... THANKS!

If you have questions, ask... I published the camera information with each image and have added full keywords to share just about anything you would want to know about the images.

Happy shooting

Ask Dave, September 4th

First off... Sorry that I took the month of August off, without warning. I was charged with launching the new website for Rocky Mountain College, and they had lots of issues thanks to a consultant and designers that did not understand the needs of the college. It all worked out okay, but I did end up spending a few weeks working 100+ hours each week. When you work 108 hours and there are only 168 hours in a week, well... you can do the math, but sleeping about 42 hours left me with less than 18 other hours to cook, eat, clean the house, do dishes, do laundry, attempt to stay in touch with friends/family and work my last few shifts at Best Buy. No time for blogging, I barley made time to make an end of the month trip to Yellowstone (I had no choice, I had to make a trip to keep my 5 year run going).

If you forgive me, keep reading :)

Ask Dave, September 3rd
I get tons of questions each week, I respond as quickly as possible, and I might just answer them here too. If you have questions you can email me at Learn@DaveShumway.com.

Question:
From... Colleen
I will be visiting Yellowstone in September and have been addicted to your photo galleries. Beside the tourist areas in Yellowstone, are there any areas that you love to photograph at? Any advice you can give a novice photographer?

Answer:
September is a great time in YNP, but much will depend on weather.  Some years early September is cool, and the shooting is spectacular all around the park.  Other years it is hot into September/October and then the shooting can be much like summer, best at sunrise and sunset, then very slow all day.

My advice would be:

• To spend time at higher elevations if you are looking to see and photograph bears;
• To head to the Tetons mid September - early October if you seek moose;
• To spend time around Canyon and Madison if elk are the object of your desire;
• To search for great grey owls around Canyon;
• To spend time around Canon/Hayden and Lamar if wolves are what you seek.

As far as landscapes the temperature will greatly impact the changing of the leaves, so it is always a guess as to where the colors will be best at any give time.  I tend to shoot early change in the Tetons, then focus on the colors of the Beartooth Pass and finish fall shooting whatever color I can find.  I know many folks who put all there eggs in the big change at Ox-Bow Bend, but normally they miss it (the big change happens inside of 24 hours most years).  I keep an eye on the Beartooth Pass because it is a short drive for me, if I lived in Jackson I would watch Ox-Bow Bend, and that is about the only way to be present at the right time (other than being super lucky, which I am not).

Use Av (aperture priority) mode if you can, make sure that you are checking your screen/histogram, bring all the telephoto power you can, download and inspect your photographs each night/day and enjoy your time out taking pictures in paradise.

I'll be making a trip in a few days, and will try to post to my blog/site/etc quickly after I return, but another great way to keep track of what is happening is to follow me on Twitter/Facebook/Google+, as I post my day by day while on trips (and share some updates that I receive from friends too).

The general nature photography tips still hold true:

• You can't photograph it if you don't see it (so get up early and stay out late);
• Bad weather makes for good light;
• Change in weather stirs animals behaviors;
• If you don't have a camera with and set you cannot capture an image.

Happy shooting

Yellowstone & Grand Teton, September 2nd & 3rd, 2006

Canon 20D with 17-40/4.0L at 21mm, set in aperture priority mode at f/8.0, ISO 100, and 1/160th of a second. Exposures bias of +1/3, mounted on a cheep tripod.
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This was another one of those great, early, trips to YNP and GTNP for me. I only had a 20D and 70-200/4.0L and 17-40/4.0L at this point, and had only been shooting digital for a year. Unfortunately, I was shooting mostly JPG files; but luckily I was shooting my better landscapes in RAW. This trip I was focusing on a project for an Environmental Ethics course where I was shooting litter, pollution, and the destruction of nature at the hand of man. I took the pair of sunrises and sunsets off, so I could shoot some classic landscape scenes, and still managed to get an "A" on the project.

Enjoy

p.s. Until this point only two or three of the images posted here have seen the light of day. The images for the project served their purpose well; but did not need to be shared here.

When I was new to Montana...

Canon Pro1 at 32mm, aperture priority mode set at f/5.6, ISO50, and 1/400th of a second. Exposure bias of -1/3, shot handheld while on a hiking trip. Captured in JPG :(
THE IMAGE IS ONLINE HERE

I came to Montana in the end of August 2005, and I lead this hiking trip for Rocky Mountain College's Outdoor Recreation program to Quinnebaugh Meadows near Red Lodge, Mont. on the 18th of September (three weeks later). Trips to the Red Lodge area are amazing and more often than not I decide to take less photos, so I can experience the beauty of nature for myself and not through a camera's viewfinder. This is another image that looks much better after being edited with new software and what I now know about editing 5 years later.

Yellowstone September 25th & 26th

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Have you ever wondered where you/your kids/your friends/etc. should go to college? The answer is... Rocky Mountain College. Where else can you go with a cool professor to the worlds first and best National Park as part of an art course?

I always make sure that my courses include a trip to Yellowstone National Park, so that all of my students have an opportunity to visit paradise. We made a quick two day trip from Billings over the Beartooth Pass into the park. As usual we stayed in Gardiner had the world famous K-bar pizza for dinner on Saturday, and all had a great time learning/practicing the art of photography in the park.

Most of my pictures are actually of students photographing cool things; but I had to take a few for myself too.

Make the jump to go through the online gallery, I ask that you leave comments/criticism or at least give your favorites a thumbs up. (Thanks)

If you have questions, ask... I published all of the camera information with each image and have added full keywords to share just about anything you would want to know about each of the images.

Enjoy

Yellowstone & Grand Teton September 17th - 20th

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I think that these photos tell the full story all by themselves.

The fire was burning, I spent the first two days documenting the fire, then I headed down to the Tetons to avoid the smoke. Moose and Elk were just beginning to enter their prime, the bears are in full fall mode; but the weather is still hot and sunny like it is still summertime.

Make the jump to go through the online gallery, I ask that you leave comments/criticism or at least give your favorites a thumbs up.

If you have questions, ask... I published all of the camera information with each image and have added full keywords to share just about anything you would want to know about each of the images.

Enjoy

Yellowstone November 19th - 20th, 2005

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This was about my third or forth trip to Yellowstone. You know... more of those silly "early years."

Again don't judge me, these were taken almost 5 years ago with a Canon Pro1 while I was on a class trip (Hiking in Yellowstone).

The camera was now about three months old, and it was still an early part of my venture into digital photography.

I was still only interested in the park as a great place to camp, hike, and to soak in thermal springs.

Note to everyone... DO NOT SHOOT JPG, as someday you will really regret it.

I hope you enjoy.

Yellowstone September 24th - 25th, 2005

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My first trip to Yellowstone.

Now don't judge me, these were taken almost 5 years ago with a Canon Pro1 while I was on a class trip (Thermal Features of Yellowstone). I had to drive as the class was overly large for a 15 passenger van.

The camera was a month old, and it was an early part of my venture into digital photography.

Note to everyone... DO NOT SHOOT JPG, as someday you will really regret it.

Silly "early years"

I hope you enjoy.

Billings Area, September 9th

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09-09-09
Just out for a short test of the minty 500/4.0L IS.
Spot on it appears.

There were some kids playing down by the river, who seemed to be keeping both the Osprey a bit nervous; but the one pass that I got provided a decent chance to play with the 500 and check its AF tracking with the 50D.

Enjoy
Now I am off to the Tetons... I think :)