November 2016 Daily Journal of Photos & Comments for Grand Teton National Park & JH

“November: Fall is Over and Winter Feels Imminent”

November 2, 2016 – Wednesday

Morning Clouds: Like many days, it depends on where you are in the valley whether you see blue sky or thick fog. Town and river bottoms were socked in, plus there was a log hanging cloud in front of the Teton range. Nikon D810 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

Cottonwoods: Taken along the Gros Ventre River. I hiked around looking for moose, but they seemingly disappeared there. Nikon D5 and Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.

Moose on the Move: This moose was moving across the sage flats near Ditch Creek Road. Nikon D810 and Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.

Sparring Bull Moose: These two bulls were in Ditch Creek. Nikon D5 and Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.

Sparring Bull Moose: Same moose. Nikon D5 and Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.

Foggy Morning at the Miller House: I heard a report of a few Bighorns on Miller Butte, so I did a quick drive down the National Elk Refuge Road. Fog was just pulling back from the historic old Miller House. I didn’t see any Bighorns this morning. Nikon D5 and Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.

Sleeping Indian: Also taken on the road through the National Elk Refuge. Nikon D5 and Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.

Cherry Picker: Taken on the Jackson Town Square…not much context to go with this shot! Nikon D5 and Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.

Cherry Pickers: Much better! This crew is stringing Holiday lights on the ever growing Spruce trees. The four antler arches are already fully wrapped with LED lights. There will be a Holiday Lighting Ceremony on Friday evening following Thanksgiving. The lights remain on the Square throughout most of the Winter. Nikon D5 and Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.

Most openings are available in November. Just ask!

Teton Photo Excursions. I offer LICENSED One-On-One Photography Excursions in Grand Teton National Park, with emphasis on helping clients with their camera and gear. Each trip is customized based on client needs and requests. (Note: It says One-On-One, but I take two people on a trip for the same price). We find some of the best locations for scenic photography, and look for wildlife in the process. Check out some of the Client Comments. (Teton Photo Excursions is an Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service and the National Elk Refuge)

November 1, 2016 – Tuesday (Please note: This is the initial post for the month. I will be adding to it almost daily during the entire month)

For most purposes, you couldn’t tell this morning from yesterday morning, but when it comes to Grand Teton National Park, things are much different! Why? Two of the major arteries are now gated and locked for the season! The Inner Park Road (Teton Park Road) from Taggart Lake Trail Head Parking Area to just south of Signal Mountain is closed to vehicle traffic for the season. Likewise, the Moose-Wilson Road from Death Canyon Road to the Granite Canyon Trail Head Parking Area is closed to vehicle traffic.

The good news!….Antelope Flats Road typically doesn’t close until sometime in mid-December. That gives visitors/photographers access to some great wildlife viewing opportunities in the south end of the park—plus access to the Mormon Row barns and homesteads.

The three Moose above were taken next to the steamy warm water downstream from Kelly Warm Springs. The light was an eerie color to start the morning. If you are a “Shane” fan, the Starrett Homestead location is only a half mile downstream from where I capture this shot! Nikon D5 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

A Drink from the Springs: I photographed this young bull numerous times in October…even on the day he snapped off part of his antler. Nikon D5 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Small Bulls: Taken near the Kelly Warm Springs. Nikon D5 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Morning Moose: Taken at the intersection of the East Boundary Road and Ditch Creek Road. Nikon D5 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens: A few weeks ago, I purchased a brand new Tamron 150-600 G2 (Generation 2) lens from Perfect Light Camera. I was getting inconsistent results with it (not consistent AF throughout the zoom length). Tamron paid to ship the lens to the repair shop and back. After the light cleared the eastern mountains, and after the two moose above bedded down for the morning, I did some AF Fine Tune adjustments on all three bodies using a Lens Align. After the Tamron repair, the lens is now staying “neutrally” focusing throughout the zoom. I headed north to look for some new subjects!

Blondie: I got lucky and stumbled upon this beautiful adult Grizzly sow at the North end of the park. Since we are in the midst of the World Series, I’ll say I was “o for 3” on my attempts to find this bear on prior trips. I missed her two times by about 30 minutes and wasn’t even close on the third trip. Today, however, I hit it right! Nikon D500 and Nikon 200-500mm lens.

Blondie: I was able to get shots with all three of my bodies today. (D5, D500, & D810) This sow spent most of the time with her head down and digging for food sources. It was just a matter of waiting for her to raise her head. Nikon D810 and Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.

Blondie: This sow has a number, but I spend so little time with them, I can’t recall it. She has two ear tags, but no collar. It’s easy to see how she got her nickname. A friend told me today she is roughly 9 years old. Nikon D500 and Nikon 200-500mm lens.

Gray Jay: Taken near the lake in the Colter Bay complex. Nikon D5 and Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.

The South Entrance into Yellowstone closes on November 7, 2016. All roads except the road between the North Entrance and the Northeast entrance close at 8:00 am. This last week of Yellowstone access can be rewarding, though most services and facilities are closed. There are few tourists, less rangers, and wildlife can be more active in preparation for Winter. This also applies to Grand Teton National Park.

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November Comments: Landscape opportunities will be “limited” for a while—at least compared to the summer and fall seasons. Most of the leaves have fallen and everything looks rather bland. (There’s another “Super Moon” this month for the stargazers) I think November is a seriously overlooked and underrated month. Wildlife is much more visible and exposed in November than almost any other month! Most people will see dozens of moose in one morning (assuming they get up early). Elk will be migrating to the Refuge. Deer and Bison are usually visible in the southern areas of the park. Bighorns will be moving onto Miller Butte by Thanksgiving. Swans will be migrating through the valley soon. Beavers will be busy gathering willows for the winter months. Foxes and Coyotes will be seen with their full winter coats.

Most openings are available in November. Just ask!

Teton Photo Excursions. I offer LICENSED One-On-One Photography Excursions in Grand Teton National Park, with emphasis on helping clients with their camera and gear. Each trip is customized based on client needs and requests. (Note: It says One-On-One, but I take two people on a trip for the same price). We find some of the best locations for scenic photography, and look for wildlife in the process. Check out some of the Client Comments. (Teton Photo Excursions is an Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service)

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