Blog - Page 147 of 172 - Teton Photography Club

September 26, 2014

Guest post from Jason Williams – Moose death in the Gros Ventre campground

The tragic death of a cow moose in Grand Teton National Park yesterday morning has created quite a stir in Jackson Hole. Local and regional media outlets have reported that wildlife watchers, photographers and campers were to blame because the cow moose broke her leg while being chased by people gathered around her. Both the Idaho Falls News 8 story and the article in the Jackson Hole News and Guide this morning both implied that the accident leading to the death of the moose was the fault of people. Both reports were also based on second and third hand accounts that painted a certain picture but doesn’t seem to fit with what I observed just after the accident occurred and the first hand accounts of several people present when the moose was injured. The reporting was in my view irresponsibly limited in scope and served only as a catalyst for conflict between different user groups, land management agencies and concerned citizens.

After seeing the gross misrepresentation of this accident, I felt compelled to look into what happened and learn the truth from the people that actually witnessed the accident first hand. I have interviewed several witnesses and accumulated photos and videos that corroborate their version of the story.

The short version is that a cow moose broke her leg while being chased by a bull moose through the Gros Ventre Campground. She stumbled over a picnic table and stepped into a fire ring with a grill attached to it. The break was severe and the cow was unable to walk further. Her leg was badly injured leading park rangers to euthanize her and remove her from the campground. The details of what caused the bull moose to charge her are what are being spun to make it appear that wildlife photographers and visitors somehow contributed to this accident. From what I have seen in photos and videos of the scene just before the accident and what I witnessed just after it occurred I have to strongly disagree.

Firstly is is important to understand some basics of moose biology as there is some pretty important context that will shed light on what is happening in the world of moose during the fall. Put quite simply, love is in the air! This time of year is called the rut, or mating season, for moose in Jackson Hole. During this time they exhibit some pretty wild behavior as they work through their courtship rituals. During this time you may see bulls sparring for control of an area or female, bulls chasing cows aggressively, and a wide range of fun mating behavior that I will defer to Mike Jackson’s great blog post on (Click here to read). This is important because the reason the cow moose was running in the first place was because she was being pursued by the bull that caused her to trip on a picnic table leading her to step into the fire ring and break her leg.

Though it’s impossible to know why he chased her at that moment, some witnesses believe that a diesel truck pulling a camper may have spooked the cow making her move away from the noise. That is when the bull started his chase and she tripped on the picnic table. It is also important to note that video taken just before the accident shows the bull chasing both the cow and her calf. Again this is pretty normal moose behavior this time of year and there is no reason in the video to believe that they were stressed by the people watching them (notice in the video that they are not focused on the people).

It also turns out that the moose killed in this accident was completely or mostly blind due to an infection in both of her eyes. Images taken just before the accident clearly show that she had a significant eye infection that would have certainly impacted her vision. Earlier in the season local wildlife photographers noticed her infection and contacted Wyoming Game and Fish in the hope they might be able to treat her. Apparently no action was taken and she spent the summer raising her calf in and around the campground. There is no doubt that impaired vision would explain why she didn’t see the picnic table. I haven’t seen a moose fall or stumble as they are quite agile and sure footed. There is also a video showing that besides a few campers opposite the moose – they were not surrounded or being chased.

It is my opinion that the fall rut and bull chasing this cow combined with her disability and the man made obstacles in the campground (grills and tables) are much greater factors in this incident than people watching and photographing. I have spent a lot of time with these animals and rarely see them react aggressively or appear stressed due to people. On the contrary many people believe that the moose take refuge around people to avoid conflict with predators. I have seen reactions to dogs and diesel truck engines and all of the first hand witnesses I spoke to believe the a truck moving past caused the cow to move suddenly which then lead the bull to pursue her. This is when she tripped on the table and stepped into the grill on the fire pit. The video shows the truck and trailer in the background and there is an image as the truck approaches the moose just before she runs into the fire pit. All appear calm and unfazed by the people recording the events.

I have attached the related material for you to see. Please remember that this photographer was shooting with a long lens and though appears close was well outside of the 25 yards. Also note that in the photos and video the animals are not stressed and not paying any attention the the people watching them. This is hugely important as it is a shame to misplace blame. The big factors here are the rut, her disability and man made obstacles at each campsite. Though a tragic accident, I don’t see much that could have been avoided less shutting down the campsite and removing grates and tables.

I hope this sheds some light on what actually happened yesterday. I also hope that the wildlife photography and watching community will work together to educate our visitors about appropriate behavior around our wildlife. We need to maintain at least the required distances and in many cases it may be better to stay even further back. It is also to remember that everyone is a photographer because almost everyone visiting wants a picture and has a camera. Just because someone has a big lens and thousands of dollars of equipment doesn’t make them any different from the guy with an iphone. Learning to live around wildlife and respectfully interact with them takes years to even begin to fully understand. Though some visitors with cameras get too close, that doesn’t mean that all wildlife photographers should be vilified and treated as one unified group.

Let’s work together to be respectful to wildlife, respectful to each other and respectful to park staff. We are all on the same team!

Posted by permission of Jason Williams, Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris: Link

September 23, 2014

Fall Colors Near Shadow Mountain

A large autumn aspen grove below stormy weather, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

With several projects going on right now, I was able to find time to take a little afternoon escape into some fall colors of Jackson Hole. I headed over to the Shadow Mountain area, along the eastern boundary of Grand Teton National Park, and began hiking around the game trails to guide me through the meadows and aspen groves.

Abstract autumn aspen tree trunks and leaves, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

I had hoped to hike up part of Shadow Mountain as well, where even more bright colors were waiting, no doubt with tremendous views below, but I found the few hours I had to play at the base plenty to satisfy my craving to get outdoors. Since it had been almost three weeks since I last hiked, it was a welcome break from sitting at the computer and running around town.

Autumn aspen trees decorating Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”
– John Muir

Fall aspen trees decorating Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

September 10, 2014

Restoring the Night Sky for a Healthier Future

Restoring the night sky for a healthier future | Mike Cavaroc | TEDxJacksonHole

Runtime: 7:50
View count: 307

On Monday, October 6th, 2014, I gave a TEDxJacksonHole talk on the subject of light pollution titled, Restoring the Night Sky for a Healthier Future. The talk discussed my personal experience and growing interest in light pollution, the facts and science behind how it affects each and every one us and the ecosystems we live in, and why a dark night sky is so essential and important in creating a spiritual connection to both our own species, and the infinite space around us.

On April 28th of 2014, I gave a much lengthier talk that was specific to Jackson Hole, Wyoming (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK6VmG4rYME). Though many similar concepts were shared, the TEDx talk was significantly shorter and much more polished, refined, and to the point to make it worthy of the TED name.

A list of other speakers and their topics can be found here: http://www.tedxjacksonhole.org/speakers/

The Milky Way Galaxy stretching out from Cirque of the Towers, Popo Agie Wilderness, Wyoming

August 26, 2014

Delta Lake in the Teton Mountains

The Grand Teton towers above nearby peaks and the turquoise waters of Delta Lake in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.

Distance (one way): 4 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Best time of year: Summer

Be forewarned: Delta Lake is a very challenging trail that requires route-finding skills and a very steep ascent up a large boulder field. This trail is not at all for casual hikers.

I had always been hesitant to make a blog post about Delta Lake because I didn’t want the secret to get out. It was my “happy place” where I knew I’d have the whole lake to myself any time I went. Judging from my last hike up there, however, it’s safe to say the secret’s out. After encountering a number of parties along the trail, as well as doing a Google search discovering many other trail descriptions for access, I decided there wasn’t much of a secret left to protect.

Delta Lake is by far one the prettiest lakes in the Teton Mountains, and arguably the entire region. Fed entirely by Teton Glacier, the lake is a bold and brilliant turquoise that is tucked directly beneath the Grand Teton to the west, dominating one of the most dramatic and amazing scenes of a Teton peak. The Teepee Pillar to the south of the Grand Teton is distinctly visible with Disappointment Peak continuing the southern rim of the bowl that lines Delta Lake. To the north is Mount Owen, the second-highest peak in the Teton Mountains, with a sharp ridge lining the northern perimeter extending down from Teewinot.

A pika carries grass back to its den in the Teton Mountains of Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.

The trail begins at the Lupine Meadows parking area which also provides access to the South, Middle, and Grand Teton peaks, as well as Amphitheater and Surprise Lakes, for which part of the trail will be used. It slowly weaves south through a lodgepole pine forest where you soon enough cross the cloudy waters spilling down from Glacier Gulch, fed from the waters of Delta Lake. The trail then cuts west as it steeply ascends the spine of a ridge before connecting with the Valley Trail roughly 1.5 miles in.

The trail cuts back to the south as it begins to switchback up the eastern side of the Teton Mountains. Provided you’re hiking up early in the summer (late June/early July), you’re rewarded with large, open meadows brimming with balsamroot wildflowers, among many others, with marmots occasionally peeking out from the brush and boulders along the trail. In and out of groves of evergreen, the trail continues its ascent showing off better and better views of not just Jackson Hole, but of Bradley and Taggart Lakes far below. A fork in the trail is at last reached, signaling Garnet Canyon to the left and Amphitheater Lake to the right. Continue in the direction of Amphitheater Lake, but pay attention. At the very next switchback in the trail, look for a game trail that drops off of the main trail system.

Teton Glacier runoff flowing toward Delta Lake below the Grand Teton, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

The trail changes dramatically at this point. Gone is the ease of a maintained trail cleared of obstacles and the obvious route to follow. Now the trail appears to drop off into a gully that requires good traction and careful maneuvering. Following a few fallen trees and other obstacles, a scramble across a boulder field leads to an unmarked path heading straight up the side of Glacier Gulch through the trees. Beyond these trees the boulder field opens up and the real ascent begins. Route finding skills are essential not only for the climb up, but also for knowing when to head back to the maintained trail on the hike out.

A relentless climb ensues up hundreds of feet of boulders and steep, loose dirt, none of it guaranteed to be reliable. Up and up, the trail continues, and while the scenery in Glacier Gulch doesn’t change all that much, a near vertigo-inducing view of Jackson Hole to the east can be appreciated whenever rests are needed. The calls of pika throughout the gulch, both near and far, provide a natural soundtrack during the climb, until finally, the final ridge is crested and a reward unlike any other opens up through the trees.

With a bit of scrambling, a seat around Delta Lake (most likely in the form of a boulder) is easy to find for a well-deserved rest. Just as well-deserved as the rest is the appreciation of the view. The commanding scenery engrossing a nearly 360 degree panorama all around shouldn’t be taken in too quickly. Find a comfortable seat and listen to the landscape voice itself through the towering peaks and the bright color of the water.

A boulder disrupts an abstract reflection in Delta Lake of Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.

Getting there: From Jackson, take Highway 89 north out of town, and continue north to Moose Junction. Head west (left) and continue through the Grand Teton National Park entrance station and follow the road north. Pass the Taggart Lake trailhead and then the Climber’s Ranch and as Timbered Island on the right begins to taper off, you’ll see the sign for the Lupine Meadows trailhead on your left. Follow that until it dead ends into a (typically crowded) parking lot.