August 31st, 2020 – Monday
Please take a minute and register to follow this site. I’d love to have another couple hundred new subscribers from the group visiting the site this Summer! MJ
Variety, Variety, Variety!
Wow! August is essentially over. I would encourage EVERYONE to scroll all the way through the August Daily Journal. There are a lot of the “traditional” subjects, but the page is also loaded with photos most people pass up.
A Couple of Firecrackers: There are several small bulls in the area. I store their images into a folder I call “Firecracker”…short fuse, don’t get too close. Eventually, they grow distinctive antlers and will get their own name. Last year, there were to small bulls with ping-pong paddle sized paddles. I called them Ping and Pong. The smaller of these two might actually be one of the Ping / Pong bulls? Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
A cold weather front came through overnight. As I look out my window, it looks like the mountains are getting snow at high elevations. It was a chilly morning.
August 30th, 2020 – Sunday
Kemmerer: This bull has three brow tines on his left antler and only one on his right antler. He was resting in the cottonwoods, but eventually got up and moved towards the Gros Ventre River. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Kemmerer: Something had his attention, as he kept looking back over his shoulder. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Kemmerer: This view shows his brow tines best. He was only a few feet from the river at the time. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Kemmerer: It is fairly common for the bulls to cross the river where they spend most of the warm part of the day. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Kemmerer: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Last Look: After crossing the river, he grazed on some willows before giving me one last look. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Pronghorn Buck: This version shows the vastness of the prairie. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Pronghorn Buck: Most of the photos I post on Instagram are in the square format. It shows the animals better on small devices, but they sometimes lack the “environment” seen in the wider shots. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Other Wildlife: I heard Grizzly 610 and her two cubs were at Oxbow Bend again today. Grizzly 399 and her four cubs were near the Buffalo Fork River. Bison are at Elk Ranch Flats. Elk are tough…be out EARLY along the Teton Park Road. Pronghorns are often very visible this time of the year in many areas.
August 29th, 2020 – Saturday
Little Firecracker: I caught him crossing the Gros Ventre this morning. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Wedding Trees: A mid-morning photo taken a short distance “up the Gros Ventre”. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Quick Retreat: This bull crossed the river from right to left, stepped onto the bank and began feeding. A short time later, he danced around and jumped back into the river in quick retreat. Apparently, a bee stung him on the nose. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Other Wildlife: I haven’t seen Bison in the southern portion of the Park in a long time. They have apparently gone back north. Grizzly 399 and her four cubs have been reported along the Buffalo Fork Road. 610 is still roaming around.
August 28th, 2020 – Friday
First Light: The sky is much clearer now than a few days ago, but there is still enough haze to affect the sunrise. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Hoback: The same morning gold light helped with this shot taken near the Hoback River. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Hoback: I’ve photographed this bull several times this year…very distinctive with his single “down tine”. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Hoback: Heading for the shadows! Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.Trumpeter Swan: Taken along Flat Creek on the North side of town.
Red Berries: I didn’t see any birds feasting on these berries, but it might just be there are so many around. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
August 27th, 2020 – Thursday
Laurance Rockefeller Preserve: I spent most of my morning at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve along the now open Moose-Wilson Road. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Lake Creek Bridge: Lake Creek tumbles out of Phelps Lake, where these tourists were headed. I was there early enough to find a parking spot, but the lot was filling fast when I returned to the truck. (Be there early!) Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Black Hawthorn Berries: There is a bumper crop of berries at the Preserve right now. I didn’t see any Black Bears, but I would expect them to show up soon. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Changing Leaves: Most leaves are still green, but you can easily find the early bird changers. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Variegated Leaves: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Seeds: I am not sure the name of these plants, but they are fairly common. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Cascades: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Lake Creek Cascades: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bumble Bee: I had an appointment to have the oil changed on my truck this afternoon. Instead of sitting inside the dealership’s waiting room, I carried my “walk around” camera and killed an hour and a half outside. I found a few interesting subjects including this bumble bee. Nikon D500 and Tamron 18-400mm Lens, Handheld.
Bison Skull and Wreath: Nikon D500 and Tamron 18-400mm Lens, Handheld.
Flowers: Beauty is all around! Nikon D500 and Tamron 18-400mm Lens, Handheld.
August 26th, 2020 – Wednesday
By the time anyone reads this post, the Moose-Wilson Road should be fully open again.
Moose Cow and Calf: This beautifully slick cow and her calf of the year were feeding on a hillside near the Gros Ventre. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Moose Cow: Moose are often quite “scruffy” in May and June, but by late Summer, their coats can be slick and flawless. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Clear Morning: Well…a lot of the smoke cleared out overnight, giving me a “sterile” blue sky and landscape seen in the top portion. I found another image taken a day or two ago with a much more interesting sky, mountains, and hills. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
August 25th, 2020 – Tuesday
Dust Abatement and Repair Activities Limit Access on Moose-Wilson Road August 25-27: Full Road Closure August 26, 6 a.m. to Noon
Morning Shots
Sleeping Indian Sunrise: The haze was much thinner early this morning, following a light overnight rain. I took this shot as heading north out of town. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Teton Range Pano: I had to wait about 30 minutes for the light to hit the peaks, but it was worth it! (Click on this image to see it much larger.) Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Black Hawthorn Berries: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
I am getting emails from people asking me when I think prime foliage will be this year. If you are wondering the same thing, click the link above and review the Foliage Reports for the past 5 years. You should be able to get a good idea of “averages”.
Teton Range Pano: Taken late in the day, yesterday. It rained a little overnight. Fire Danger has been VERY HIGH for the past week or two. Maybe the rain will help lower it. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Death Canyon: These evening shots were taken along the Gros Ventre Road, Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
10,000 Instagram Followers!: Yesterday afternoon, my Instagram account hit 10,000 followers. That’s a big deal, as Instagram says only roughly 10% ever hit that milestone. If you are one of the 10,000…THANKS! If you want to be part of the second 10,000, click the photo and follow me there!
August 24th, 2020 – Monday
Youngster: I was out EARLY today after seeing a few stars out my back window. I thought I might get a good sunrise if the smoke was thin, but unfortunately, the smoke was too thick. Instead, I found this bull along the Gros Ventre, EARLY. Too EARLY! I carried my tripod today which turned out to be a good call. This photo was taken at 1/125th Second, F/6.3 (wide open) at 600mm, and the resulting ISO was 32,000. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Young Moose: I dropped the shutter speed to 1/60th second on this one which dropped the ISO to 12,800. Luckily, he didn’t move during the 1/60th second. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Gros Ventre River Bottom: The hump at the top of the shot is actually Sleeping Indian, but at this angle you don’t see the hallmark features. As you can see, the haze was less thick today. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Other Wildlife: I check the Mormon Row area for Bison again this morning, but they appear to have left the area. Pronghorns were in the area, however. I received numerous reports that 399 and her four cubs and 610 and her two cubs were in the Oxbow Bend area again today.
August 23rd, 2020 – Sunday
Pronghorns: Seen along Mormon Row before sunrise. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Moose Cow and Calf: Seen near the Gros Ventre this morning. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Moose Cow and Calf: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Smoky Mountains: I just love this kind of image! I took it looking east from near Spread Creek. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bison Trio: I heard there was quite a bit of Grizzly activity around the Oxbow area, but I didn’t go that far north. This was taken at Elk Ranch Flats. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
The Scratching Tree: Also taken at Elk Ranch Flats. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bison Bull: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
The Birds: I am not sure if these are Starlings or Brown-headed Cowbirds. Both are common around the Bison herds. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Changing Aspen: It’s way too early, but I’ve seen a few Aspens changing already. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Classic Mirror: On my way home, I stopped to take a few more photos at the classic car show at the Virginian Lodge. You can see the sign in the reflection! It took a lot more, but realize most people visit this site to see landscapes and wildlife. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
August 22nd, 2020 – Saturday
Classic Cars: Many events have been cancelled in 2020, but the annual classic car show at the Virginian Lodge is not one of them. If you are into classic cars, this weekend is your chance! I was able to “social distance” with my mask on and still move around for a lot of colorful and interesting photos. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Classic Cars: Corvette flections in the chrome hub cap of a nearby car. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Classic Corvette: The hazy skies are actually great for these kinds of photos. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Classic Car Show: There are numerous classic vehicles on the front lawn of the Virginian, but there are also a lot more inside the complex. There are no entrance fees. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Headlight and Grill: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Chevy Emblems: I enjoy honing on the details “everywhere”. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Studebaker: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Classic Car: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Grizzlies: I heard 399 and her four cubs were seen at Oxbow Bend this morning.
August 21st, 2020 – Friday
There are probably disappointed tourists visiting Jackson Hole right now, but after several weeks “Bluebird Clear” skies, the smoke and haze is giving me some different looks.
First Light Bison: Taken along Mormon Row through the haze. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Surnrise JH: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Smoky Skies: The smoke was even thicker this morning than yesterday. I took this form the East Boundary Road towards Shadow Mountain. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bison Portrait: I spent some times in Lightroom to give this one a more painterly look. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Sage Grouse: Taken in the gold light along Antelope Flats Road. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Purple Lupines: Captured along the East Boundary Road. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Snipe: Taken at Schwabacher Landing. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Tree Swallows: This photo was taken at Schwabacher Landing. The faint shape in the background is the peak of the Grand. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Early Color: If you look around, you can find a lot of colorful leaves. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Sandhill Crane: Seen at Elk Ranch Flats. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
CardRecover came to the rescue today. I accidentally deleted around 390 morning images on my Cf Express card. Whew!
August 20th, 2020 – Thursday
First Sun: Haze is back…causing some great light! This is the sun clearing the eastern mountains. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Rising Sun: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Hazy Skies: Unless I hear something different, I am assuming the haze is from the California wildfires. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Shoshone: Seen along the Gros Ventre this morning. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Shoshone: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Shoshone: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
The Gros Ventre: Haze was fairly dominant this morning, but rolled in even thicker by late in the day. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Shoshone: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Shoshone: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Shoshone: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Shoshone: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Shoshone: This is one of the reasons I like the Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens. I can get the normal shots, closeups and occasionally pull back and get more parts of the scene. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
August 19th, 2020 – Wednesday
At Home for the Morning
I dropped my truck off this morning for new brakes all around. The service center is close to home, so I walked home to work on my computer. I took a lot of photos late in the day yesterday but only added a couple of them. So, here are a few more to start the day.
Pronghorn Does: A single buck Pronghorn assembled a large harem of does along Mormon Row. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bison Cow and Bull: The Bison herd was fairly far out in the pasture when I first got there, but they began to move closer to the road. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Lip Curl: This also called Flehmen Response, seen often during the rut. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Fighting Bison: Most skirmishes are fairly short, but this one lasted ten minutes or more and covered over 100 yards. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Fighting Bison: By the time it was all over, a third bull got involved. Eventually, one of the big boys was knocked over and it was over. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bison Face: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Young Bull Moose: I’ve seen this bull several times this year. He is still hanging close to his mother along the Gros Ventre. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Afternoon in the Tetons
Hazy Mountains: I am not sure where the haze came from, but it softened the mountains and added some gold to the sky. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Musk Thistle: If this plant wasn’t an invasive species for Grand Teton National Park, people might see the beauty in it’s pattern and colors. Nikon D500 and Tamrpn 18-400mm Lens, Handheld.
Musk Thistle: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Sunset at Schwabacher Landing: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
August 18th, 2020 – Tuesday
Clashing Bison: About half of the Bison are hanging around the Moron Row area and the other half around Elk Ranch Flats. This was taken into the morning light. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Pronghorn Doe: Also seen in the Mormon Row area golden grasslands. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bull Moose: Seen moving downstream near Antelope Flats and the Gros Ventre River. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
TA Moulton Barn: Of course…along Mormon Row. Nikon D500 and Tamron 18-400mm Lens, Handheld.
Schwabacher Landing: Nikon D500 and Tamron 18-400mm Lens, Handheld.
Snake River Overlook Pano: Click the image to view this one larger. Nikon D500 and Tamron 18-400mm Lens, Handheld.
Teton Range: Taken from Elk Ranch Flats. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Wildlife: I didn’t see them, but I had a report of Grizzly sows 399 and 610 and their cubs were in the Oxbow Bend area this morning.
Fire Danger in GTNP : VERY High. Fire Danger in Yellowstone : Extreme
Dust Abatement and Repair Activities Limit Access on Moose-Wilson Road August 25-27: Full Road Closure August 26, 6 a.m. to Noon
Rolling Bison: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Afternoon Bison Herd: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
I am accepting photo tours for the summer and fall…with modifications! August Tours Available!
Normally, I drive my tour clients around in my vehicle. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve opted to offer tours by letting clients follow me in their vehicles. This allows for ample social distancing. I purchased several pairs of walkie-talkies to allow me to communicate while driving. Instead of eating inside one of the restaurants, I Creekside Market will make sandwiches to order for the day’s trip. Masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes will be provided. If you have questions, please ask!
The goal is to keep both of us safe, yet cover most of the same areas of the park.
Photo tours help me pay bills and continue to add content to this site. Keep me in mind if you are going to be in the valley! My tours are licensed by the National Park Service and National Elk Refuge.
I offer year round photo tours in Grand Teton National Park. Seasons are changing! Book now! Click the image for additional information.
Client Comments: “As a published and passionate photographer, I recognized Michael Jackson’s extraordinary skills as a photographer. Today I learned more about composition and creative technical ideas than I ever could have imagined.” G.S., Jackson Hole.
August 17th, 2020 – Monday
Bull Elk at Dawn: Taken well before first light near the Potholes on the Teton Park Road. I was up EARLY for this morning’s shots! Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bull Elk in Velvet: Bull graze in the sage covered zones overnight, then head back to the cover of the forests at, or before first light. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bull Elk with Scraped Velvet: Of the two bulls I was able to photograph, one still had velvet and one was in the process of stripping his. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bull Elk with Scraped Velvet: You can see that his bull will have to finish cleaning his antlers by scraping them against trees and bushes. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
White Pelican: As I was driving over the Jackson Lake Dam, I saw a single White Pelican below. Gold light was just beginning to bathe the area. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Sub-adult Griz: As with many days looking for Grizzlies, you often only get fleeting views. This one was above Oxbow Bend. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
399 and One Cub, plus Midges: 399 and her four cubs of the year made an appearance at Oxbow Bend. Needless to say, there were LOTS of tourists and photographers. While I was there, she made a very brief appearance at the water’s edge, followed by her cubs. Midges (very small flying insects) were flittering around. There may have been some Tricos mixed in. The are is known for its “Trico spinner fall” in August, bringing large Snake River Cutthroats to the surface. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
White Pelican: Oxbow Bend can be good for Osprey, Eagles, Swans, and Pelicans. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Landing White Pelican: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Great Blue Heron: Oxbow Bend is also home to at least one pair of Great Blue Herons. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Pronghorns: Taken in the fields of golden grass at Elk Ranch Flats. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bison at Elk Ranch Flats: This isn’t a great show, but I included it today to show two of at least three late season “Red Dogs” (baby bison). I did a rough count and spotted around 150 Bison at Elk Ranch Flats. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Red-tailed Hawk: The raptors will have to hunt a little differently for the rest of the year. From my observation in many areas of the valley, the Uinta Ground Squirrels have gone underground until next Spring. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
August 16th, 2020 – Sunday
Bison: First light on the Mormon Row Bison. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Backlit Bull: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bison Bull: Gold light on one of the big warriors. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Going for the Gold: During the rut, it is fairly common to see three or more bulls chasing a cow. These were a ways out, taken mostly into the sun. I pushed the yellow and red sliders up in Lightroom to enhance the mood. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
No Contest: When this big bull approached any of the other bulls, they moved away from their cow. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Big Bull: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bison Portrait: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Back at Home
Concentric Basket Bottom: Often on Saturdays, I go out for the early morning shots, then zip back to town to go to the local garage sales. I am usually looking for “grungy junk” that most others pass over. Last week, I bought a nice looking basket and lid for $3. Today, I set up in my office and took about 30 photos of it for possibly use in a layered, textured image. I could do another 30 in which I angled the basket to get blurs top and bottom or left and right. Nikon D850 and Nikon 80-200mm Zoom Micro Lens, Tripod, with 3 second Shutter Delay.
Basket Bottom: At another garage sale, I paid a dollar for this basket. It was loaded with envelopes, stamps, and postcards, too! I took around 20 photos of the basket including this interesting bottom panel. Nikon D850 and Nikon 80-200mm Zoom Micro Lens, Tripod, with 3 second Shutter Delay.
These were taken with a Nikon D850 and an old Nikon 80-200 Zoom Micro (Macro) lens. The zoom micro lens means I can simply zoom in or out instead of having to move the camera with a fixed micro lens. Of course, there are rails to help with those lenses. Knowing a D850 makes a 47 meg file, I can crop any of the images as needed. I could have used my Nikon D500 and Tamron 18-400mm lens. It also does a great job of extreme close-ups, but the files are only 24 megapixels. Nikon D850 and Nikon 80-200mm Zoom Micro Lens, Tripod, with 3 second Shutter Delay.
While you might suggest these images don’t belong on this page, I would assert these are the same lens and body combinations I might use for close-up and macro wildflowers and insects. If you like this kind of subject, check out one of my other sites at Teton Textures.
Moose-Wilson Road: While on the subject, I should mention I saw quite a few red and orange leaves beginning to appear along the Moose-Wilson Road. Most of them were on Black Hawthorn bushes while others were probably Choke Cherry bushes. I would expect to see Black Bears in the area now as some of the berries are ripening. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to stop and take photos of the changing leaves because of all of the signs and closures.
August 15th, 2020 – Saturday
Pronghorn Doe: I took this photo from Mormon Row…through a few golden stalks of golden grass. Out of curiosity, I bumped the shutter speed up to 1/6400th second and left the aperture at F/7.1. The resulting AUTO ISO was 45,600. I did some noise reduction in the Lightroom Detail Panel. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Red Berries: I have been seeing a lot of berries. This morning, I stopped for a couple of shots. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Seeds: I am not sure what kind of plant this is, but when I saw it lit up against the dark background, I stopped for the shot. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Other Wildlife: I checked the Ventre for Moose, but didn’t see them today. Bison were well off the road north of Antelope Flats Road. I’ve had numerous reports of 399 and 610 with their cubs have been seen in the north central part of the park.
Fire Danger Elevating: We haven’t had much rain in a long time. As a result, the region is under Fire Danger Regulations. Check my August 12th entry for more info.
August 14th, 2020 – Friday
Mule Deer Fawn: As I was driving north, I spotted two a doe and two fawns trying to cross the road at the Visitor’s Center. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Pronghorns in Gold: I spent part of my morning photographing Bison near Mormon Row. I had a few surprise additions. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Pronghorns in Gold: I focused past the Pronghorns to the Bison on a few shots. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Onlookers: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Pronghorns and Bison: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Pronghorns: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Morning Bison: I liked the layers in this photo. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Western Kingbird: I’ve seen Eastern Kingbirds in the South Park Feedgrounds over the years and Western Kingbirds in the Mormon Row area. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Beaver’s Work: This would have to be a supreme bummer for a Beaver! After chewing this cottonwood almost completely in two, the tree leaned into another tree. I saw it while roaming around along the Gros Ventre River bottom looking for Moose. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
August 13th, 2020 – Thursday
Morning Clouds Pano: A beautiful bank of clouds flowed in this morning, nestling over the Teton Range. Click the image to see it much larger! Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Cathedral Group: Taken from the Teton Park Road near the Mt. Moran View pullout. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Cathedral Group: Another view of the same spot.Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Morning Clouds Pano: Click the image to see it much larger! Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Oxbow Bend: Bears have been in the Oxbow Bend area lately, but I didn’t see them as I drove through the area. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bison Bull and Cow: Part of the Bison herd is in the southern portion of the park, roaming around regularly.
Bison Lip Curl: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bison Lip Curl: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Rolling Bison: I didn’t see any fighting between the big bulls, but I did witness some interesting behavior. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
August 12th, 2020 – Wednesday
Bridger-Teton National Forest Implements Stage 1 Fire Restrictions : Visitors to Federal Lands Reminded to Be Fire Wise
Western WY- The Bridger-Teton National Forest will implement fire restrictions beginning Thursday, August 13. Visitors and local residents are reminded to be fire wise while recreating on federal lands.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will be implemented on all National Forest System lands within the Bridger-Teton National Forest as of 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, August 13. These restrictions allow fires only in designated and installed fire rings or grills at designated campgrounds or picnic areas. Fires are allowed in the Teton and Gros Ventre Wilderness areas but not the Bridger Wilderness under these restrictions. Smoking is also restricted to certain locations.
Fire restrictions on the Bridger-Teton National Forest include:
-
-
- Lighting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, barbecue or grill is allowed only at designated recreation sites such as established campgrounds or picnic areas. Use of portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel, or use of a fully enclosed sheepherder type stove with a spark arrester screen is permitted.
-
-
- Smoking is allowed only in an enclosed vehicle, building (unless otherwise prohibited), developed recreation site, or while in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials (i.e. parking lots, developed campsites, or locations surrounded by water).
Campfires in Grand Teton National Park are limited to designated and installed fire rings and/or grills. Campfires are not allowed on the National Elk Refuge.
Back in the Gold!
Bison Bull: Yesterday morning, I was taking photos of a bull Moose in the shadows along the Gros Ventre. This morning, I moved out to the sage flats and hay fields. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bison Bull: I love the textures in closeups of the big bulls! Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Swainson’s Hawk?: The dark head makes me think this is a Swainson’s Hawk, but I guess it could be one of the many color phases of a Red-tailed Hawk. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Pronghorn Doe and Fawn: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Pronghorn Doe and Fawn: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Young Pronghorns: Altert and ready to run after breakfast. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird: A few of these birds are still hanging around my back yard. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
August 11th, 2020 – Tuesday
Early Morning Moose: Up early…again! This bull was feeding on fresh willow leaves. He was in the early morning shadows along the Gros Ventre. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Early Morning Moose: Silverberry (or Wolf Willow) bushes grow along the Gros Ventre. While they usually eat the willows, I’ve seen them eat Silverberry leaves on numerous occasions. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Hoback: That’s what I call him anyway. I like to give each of the larger bulls a name that I apply as a keyword in my Lightroom Catalog. By including the keyword, I can search for and find all “Hoback” moose for that year. Hoback has a single, distinctive down tine on his left antler. The last two or three times I’ve seen him, he has had one or more small bull sidekicks. Today, he was alone. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Other Wildlife: When I went out late yesterday, I saw a lot more Bison in the southern portion of the park than the day earlier. Late yesterday, I heard reports of sightings for Grizzly sow 399 and her four cubs. I also had a report of 610 and her two sub-adult cubs, and even a report of Felicia being seen on Towottee Pass.
August 10th, 2020 – Monday
Pronghorn Doe and Fawn: Early morning in the Kelly hay fields. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Running Pronghorns: The bucks seemed especially frisky this morning. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Running Pronghorn: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bison Bull: The Bison rut is on in GTNP. This is one of the bulls in the northern herd at Elk Ranch Flats. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bison Bull: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Rolling Bison: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Great Blue Heron Nest and Chicks: This is a crop of a long distance shot taken at Oxbow Bend. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Great Blue Heron: One of the adults hunting at Oxbow Bend. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Fireweed: I took this photo at Oxbow Bend. The blue background is actually the reflected water there. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
August 9th, 2020 – Sunday
Northern Harrier: I took several hundred photos of this successful hunter. He remained on the post until he finished his meal, then flew off diagonally away from me. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bull Moose – Hoback: Possibly the thing I like about Moose photography in Grand Teton National Park is the variety of terrain they live in here. They can be in willows one day, then sagebrush other days, and quiet cottonwood meadows on others. Occasionally, I find them in the conifers. As you can see in the photos from yesterday, they hang around river bottoms much of the year, so it is possible to catch them crossing streams and rivers. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Three Bulls: Occasionally, I overhear tour guides telling their clients that bull Moose live a solitary life except when they are courting a female in the fall. I find that statement to be wrong, at least for many bulls. This larger bull has had a younger sidekick with him for over a month that I know of, and has picked up another one. Especially while they are growing their velvet covered antlers, it appears to me they enjoy the company, and possibly the extra set of ears. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Slim Jim and another youngster: These two had already bedded down in the sage when I found them. I waited until the sun hit them, but they were content to rest in the morning light. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Hoback in Morning Light: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Youngsters: The two young bulls reminded me of playful pups. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Youngsters: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Playful Young Moose: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Playful Young Moose: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Other Wildlife
I checked the southern group of Bison two times today. Half were near the base of Blacktail Butte and the other half were on the east side of Mormon Row. Both were too far out for photos. Pronghorns were scattered, but none were close. Kestrels, Meadowlarks and Bluebirds are still in the area. I got a report of Grizzly 610 and her cubs around Oxbow Bend. Berries are ripening along the Moose-Wilson Road. The Park Service has that road fairly well buttoned down with cones and signs, so getting photos of Black Bears will be a challenge this year. I heard Bison were on both sides of the highway at Elk Ranch Flats.
August 8th, 2020 – Saturday
Shoshone: After about a month of absence (at least I didn’t see him), Shoshone was visible along the Gros Ventre this morning. He is looking very good, but he still has some growth to go on his paddles. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Shoshone: Stopping for a quick drink on one of the side channels. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Shoshone: Not long after the early morning sunlight hit him, he began moving towards the main river channel. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Shoshone: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Shoshone: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Shoshone, River Crossing: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Shoshone: He crossed the river, mostly going away from me, but stopped one last time to pose in the morning light. He then finished his trek into the dark shadows of the Refuge side of the Gros Ventre. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Afternoon
Fighting Bison:A pair of heavyweights squared off this afternoon along Mormon Row. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Fighting Bison: During the peak of the action, their heads are usually almost on the ground. I prefer to catch them with their heads up. There were around 70 Bison in the Kelly area this afternoon. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
August 7th, 2020 – Friday
Rural Wyoming: Taken along Spring Gulch Road. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bull Moose: I don’t think I’ve seen this bull so far this year. He was grazing on flowers along the Gros Ventre Road just after first light. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bull Moose: This bull has two brow tines on each side, uncut ears, and a fairly long dewlap. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bull Moose: The bulls still have another 21-27 days of antler growth ahead of them, but this bull is already looking good! Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Sunrise: I was hoping the bull would cross the Gros Ventre, but after filling up on flowers, he bedded down again. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Hoback: I went back out this afternoon, hoping to find the bull I photographed this morning. I couldn’t find him, but I found Hoback and his smaller sidekick in the willows along the Gros Ventre River. It has been a month since I’ve seen him. His antlers are considerably larger and more defined now. The distinctive drop tine should make him easy to identify. As I mentioned earlier, the bull still have three weeks of growth to go. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
August 6th, 2020 – Thursday
Sunrise: Macey, our Golden Retriever, woke me up at 5:00 am this morning. She heard something outside and wanted out. That was my four legged alarm for the day. I ate a quick bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios and headed north. Along the way, I stopped for this sunrise photo taken “handheld” at 1/15th second. Actually it was handheld, just over a beanbag at the back of my truck. Normally, I would set up a tripod, but was more motivated to get to the Potholes area to look for Elk. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld over Beanbag.
Bull Elk: I am hoping to catch a couple of nice bulls stripping their velvet. Should happen soon. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bull Elk in Velvet: I only found two bulls and a cow, but both bulls were nice ones. These were taken handheld, shooting out the window. The get a lot more spooky if you are out of your vehicle. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bull Elk and Cathedral Group: After feeding in the sage all morning, the bulls headed towards the darker forests. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Tetons Sunrise: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Oxbow Bend: By the time I made it to Oxbow Bend, a lot of the clouds were breaking up. I jumped out and took this shot from the parking area. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bison Bull and Cow: It’s August…that means Bison rut. I found these at Elk Ranch Flats. The big bulls find a cow and stay with her until it is time to mate. That happens mostly at night. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Lip Curl: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bison Bull: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Approaching American Bison: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Full Moon over Blacktail Butte: Taken from Mormon Row. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Full Moon over Blacktail Butte: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Raven: This scavenger posed for a couple of shots, then took off to catch up with its mate. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Pronghorn Buck: A group of does crossed Mormon Row as I was driving to get a shot of the moon. True to form, the buck was not far behind. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Log Barn: I liked the early morning light and shadows on this accessory barn at the Box L Ranch. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Box L Ranch Pano: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Hay Field: Also photographed along Spring Gulch Road. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Red-tailed Hawk: Hawks seem to like their temporary new perches. The farmers will be picking them up and storing the rolled bales soon. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
August 4th, 2020 – Tuesday
Bald Eagle: This adult’s white head easily gave away his presence in a cottonwood on Spring Gulch Road. I adjusted my camera settings for a flight shot, but he didn’t fly. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Harvest Tractor: Hay and grass are being mowed and bailed all over the farm lands around the valley. This was taken along Spring Gulch Road. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bull Elk in Velvet:I went back out for a chance to see Moose and Bison, but neither were visible. I ended up at Oxbow Bend. You never know what might pop up in that area. I found this 6×6 bull near Signal Mountain Lodge. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bull Elk in Velvet: The points on this bull’s antlers aren’t as sharp as the ones I photographed a couple of days ago. I’m not an expert on the subject but I’d suggest he will strip his velvet later than the others. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Rim Lit Canyon: This little scene caught my eye on the way back home. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Cloudscape: This is a two shot pano stitched from handheld captures. I took it from an area near the Jenny Lake Junction, looking to the Northeast. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
August 3rd, 2020 – Monday
COVID-19 Notes
The Motorcycle Rally is ON…beginning August 7 and running through August 16, 2020. Organizers are expecting 250,000 participants this year. Many of the riders travel through, and stop in Jackson Hole on their way to and from the event. Over the weekend, Dr. Birx stated the virus is moving into rural areas of the US. Please, stay safe. Please wear masks when in Jackson Hole!
What’s Wrong with this Picture?
I dug this photo out of a group I took in June of 2013. To be specific, I took the photo at 11:30 PM in the “dark” of night. Over a period of 30 seconds, the full moon lit everything to almost daylight exposures. On a full moon night, you will see long shadows (including yours). The sky will be dark blue, but you’ll probably still see a few stars. If you can find the Milky Way, it will faint and essentially bleached out. Since I took this photo seven years ago, I haven’t gone back during a full moon. If you like the look, we are in a full moon period…go get it!
Mountain Meadow: I told myself last night I would be good and stay home on a Monday morning and take care of some business. When I saw a touch of pink in the sky, I jumped in the truck and made my way to Blacktail Ponds for a few sunrise shots. Nikon D850 and Nikon 24-70mm Lens, Tripod.
Blacktail Ponds: Nikon D850 and Nikon 24-70mm Lens, Tripod.
Morning Moose: I found a couple of bulls along the Gros Ventre and spent an hour or so with them. They still have four weeks of antler growth before they begin stripping their velvet. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bull Moose: While they look like they are sparring, they are careful not to scrape their velvet. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Sparring Bulls: The larger bull had enough of the smaller bull and let him know. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Spring Creek Moose: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Morning Drink: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Ridgeline: The Grand and Teewinot are visible over the south end of Blacktail Butte while along the Gros Ventre Road. By noon, the morning clouds have moved on, leaving clear skies. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
August 2nd, 2020 – Sunday
Bull Elk: I was out EARLY again!…this time with my “wildlife hat” on. Even though I was there before the first rays of light, I don’t need to keep many of the early shots. The gold light was beautiful! Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bull Elk: I shot the Elk photos handheld from inside my truck. They were aware of my truck, but not spooked. If I had stepped out and set up my tripod, they would have split in a jiffy. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bull Elk: Yep…7×7 on this one. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Bull Elk: Not many Elk hang out in the southern portion of the Park during the summer months. Look for them around Timbered Island, around Jenny Lake and String Lake and south of Signal Mountain. They are commonly seen at Willow Flats. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Dusky Grouse: If you make the drive to the summit at Signal Mountain, watch for Dusky Grouse. This female was much more cooperative than the male was this morning. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Indian Paintbrush and Aspen Daisies: Indian Paintbrush is common along the roadway when heading to the Signal Mountain Summit. Best of the Tetons subscriber, Anju, I identified the purple flowers as Aspen Daisies. Thanks! Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Grizzlies: 610 and her two sub-adult made an appearance at Oxbow Bend. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Grizzlies: I would have loved to have been much closer, but the cropped photos are still pretty good. They were a LONG ways away! Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Grizzlies: Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
COVID-19 Observations from this morning:
You can read the full National Geographic article by clicking the link at the top of yesterday’s post. “Surging tourism is straining this Yellowstone gateway town. Amid rising COVID-19 cases and unconcerned tourists, the people of Jackson, Wyoming, are struggling to keep their town solvent—and safe….” On my drive home at 10:00 am, I began noticing an almost endless bumper-to-bumper caravan of vehicles heading north. I started watching their license plates and noticed many were out of state plates. When I drove by the JH Airport, I started counting them over the next few miles to the roundabout. I counted 53 out-of-state plates and 4 Teton County plates. Of those four, two were taking a boat north. The point here is to illustrate that many tourists are “road tripping” this summer to escape the heat and high concentrations of virus back at home. Locals are simply hoping the visitors are careful while they are in Jackson Hole.
August 1st, 2020 – Saturday
It is difficult to ignore “the elephant in the room”. COVID-19 is impacting the entire world, and of course, Jackson Hole. I’ve been trying to include some pertinent information and articles that affect this area, like the one in the link below.
“Surging tourism is straining this Yellowstone gateway town. Amid rising COVID-19 cases and unconcerned tourists, the people of Jackson, Wyoming, are struggling to keep their town solvent—and safe….”
Both the Town of Jackson and all of Teton County have a mask ordinance requiring people to wear a mask inside businesses and when they are close to others. Many visitors to Jackson Hole are observing the mask order, but not all of them. This group of non-mask wearing, tightly packed, wedding goers were watching the ceremony next to the TA Moulton Barn inside Grand Teton National Park. Short of a safe and effective vaccine, the pandemic seems like it will be with us for a long time. With that stated, it IS possible to stay safe by visiting more obscure areas of the park, or going early when fewer tourists are out and active.
August! Just a few quick notes:
-
-
- August is our hottest month, affecting most wildlife in a variety of ways. To see Elk, Moose, and Deer, it is important to be out very early or late.
- The bright green grass of spring and early summer will begin to dry out and turn gold or rusty orange.
- Regional forest fires are common in August, often pumping smoke into the valley. Sunrise and sunset photos can be spectacular.
- Thunderstorms often blow through in August, offering dramatic skies and light even during the middle of the day. Watch for lightning and rainbows.
- Remember your mosquito repellent! They can be relentless on calm evenings.
- Bison are in the rut during most of August. Watch for them in the southern portion of the park and around Elk Ranch Flats.
- Bull Elk will have fully developed antlers right now and will begin shedding their velvet early in the month. I’ve heard on “bugle” already!
- Bull Moose will continue to grow their antlers through most of the month, then begin scraping their velvet late in August or early in September.
- Pronghorns will be in the rut through most of August. You can find them along most of the valley floor.
- The Milky Way will be running north and south, often directly overhead. Full moon August 3rd. The NEOWISE Comet may be visible again around the 21st.
The first few days of August should resemble the last week or so of July, so be sure to check that page. IT IS LOADED with photos intentionally focused on offering a wide variety of subjects. Same for June!
Pronghorn Bachelors: Smaller bucks gather in small groups while the largest bucks are assembling their harems of does. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
No Camping: I had to laugh when I saw this early today on Antelope Flats Road. It must have been very dark when they picked their overnight camp site. Most campgrounds are full every night. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Asters: One book I found suggested these might be Alpine Asters, but are possible another Aster variant. They are fairly common right now, along with various daisies, Purple Lupines, and Indian paintbrush. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Ditch Creek: You can occasionally find unique shots early and late that you might drive by during the brighter times of the day. Among the Lupines. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Beauty in Unexpected Places: Thanks to Lauren Harris. She identified these as Salsify or Tragopodon. I caught them backlit subjects along one of the two track roads north of Kelly. Long-billed Curlews and Pronghorns share the area. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Morning Show: The last thing I did last night was to check the weather report. It called for clear skies all morning and all afternoon. Wrong! This huge cloud looked like it was exploding over the Tetons. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Morning Show V2: Several of these early morning photos were taken handheld with a telephoto lens, capturing three to five vertical shots. Back at home, I stitched them into a pano in Lightroom. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Short-tailed Weasel: A lot of people get “tunnel vision” looking only for Bears, Elk, Moose, Deer, Bison and Pronghorns. I get as excited about capturing the little creatures as the big ones. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Red Squirrel: You can also find Marmots, Picas, Chipmonks, Golden Mantle Ground Squirrels, Pine Martens, and even Badgers during the summer months. Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Gros Ventre Moose Lineup: I started this collection to help identify some of the bulls I’ve seen so far this year. Shoshone was captured on July 6th, so he has had 26 more days of antler growth and should have another 26 days to add to his rack. The two I labeled Alpine and Sheridan might be the same bull? There were a couple of weeks between the shots and I didn’t have two of the same angles to compare. The two left brow tines make me think they are two different bulls. Other people have seen large bulls around Willow Flats and Pacific Creek Road, and I saw a shot of a very nice bull along the hike to Cascade Canyon. Other large bulls pop up along the Moose-Wilson Road. Right now, they are still feeding on willows in the river bottoms. (click this image to view a much larger version) Nikon D6 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld.
Chambers Barns: Most tourists take photos of the two Moulton Barns on Mormon Row, but there are other buildings and structures. The bulge on the ridge line is Sheep Mountain, otherwise knowns as Sleeping Indian when viewed from other angles.
I am accepting photo tours for the summer and fall…with modifications!
Normally, I drive my tour clients around in my vehicle. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve opted to offer tours by letting clients follow me in their vehicles. This allows for ample social distancing. I purchased several pairs of walkie-talkies to allow me to communicate while driving. Instead of eating inside one of the restaurants, I Creekside Market will make sandwiches to order for the day’s trip. Masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes will be provided. If you have questions, please ask!
The goal is to keep both of us safe, yet cover most of the same areas of the park.
Photo tours help me pay bills and continue to add content to this site. Keep me in mind if you are going to be in the valley! My tours are licensed by the National Park Service and National Elk Refuge.
I offer year round photo tours in Grand Teton National Park. Seasons are changing! Book now! Click the image for additional information.
Client Comments: “As a published and passionate photographer, I recognized Michael Jackson’s extraordinary skills as a photographer. Today I learned more about composition and creative technical ideas than I ever could have imagined.” G.S., Jackson Hole.
The post
August 2020 Daily Journal For GTNP & JH first appeared on
Best of the Tetons, Area Info & Photography.
