Category: Best of the Tetons

The World’s Largest Intermitting Spring — only 75 miles from Jackson

Wyoming has numerous little known gems. Intermittent Springs is one of them! We’ve lived in Jackson Hole for 29 years and I never knew it was there.

After seeing the roadway sign in downtown Afton, I did some Internet searches and knew I needed to make the trip. Other than a few photos I found online, I didn’t know much about what I might find. My recent trip was intended as a reconnaissance mission, arriving at noon on a sunny day. That’s far from my ideal time of the day for photography.  As it turned out, the entire trip was filled with little gems — not just the Spring itself! After making the impromptu trip, I now know I want to go back in more favorable conditions for photography.

Technically, I guess it is a cascading spring and not a waterfall, but when viewed as a whole, it looks a lot like one. On the day I went, the upper section of the Spring remained in shadows, so photography was tough. I think the shoot would be much better on an overcast day, very early in the morning, or late in the evening. Possibly the rest of this page will help you get the most out of your visit! The sites I found online about Intermittent Springs all said to go there in August or later to see the intermittent action. From what I understand, if you go early in the year, you may only see a continuous flow of water. Even then, it would still be very impressive!

The entire area is amazing, and totally unexpected! Swift Creek tumbles down much of the five mile gravel road from Afton. Impressive granite walls line both sides of the narrow canyon in most areas with lush vegetation adding color and diversity. Fall is just around the corner and I’m going back!

Afton is 70 miles South of Jackson. Many people drive through the town on their way to and from Jackson and Salt Lake City. Watch for the signs along the highway in Afton to get you headed in the right direction. The parking area is roughly 5 miles east of town on 2nd Ave. If you happen to get confused by conflicting names, the spring is sometimes referred to as “Periodic Spring” as seen on the map above. The trail marker identifies it as Intermittent Spring. The gravel road is open from May 1st to December 1st. I don’t know if you can still hike or bike into the area when the gates are locked.   Since the Spring runs essentially north and south in the canyon, it will be in shadows both early and late in the day. The lay of the land could allow a photographer to get an even exposure and try out some long exposures. Next time!

Intermittent Spring is the big headliner, but there are two additional waterfalls on the way up. Shawnee Falls is tough to see because of the roadside trees and shrubs, but it’s definitely worth looking for anytime. Imagine this shot with oranges and yellows of Fall! This trip was taken during the days of thick smoke in the region from some of the western wildfires. Hopefully, it will be much clearer next trip.

Janee Falls tumbles off a canyon wall just up the road from Shawnee Falls.

There are a couple of picnic tables and a restroom at the parking area. A sign just upstream from the parking area informs visitors of the 3/4 mile hike to the base of the spring. Swift Creek runs alongside the pathway. The path is wide and gravel covered with a gentle incline. The last 60 feet or so before the bridge over Swift Creek takes a little navigation through some laundry basket sized boulders.

Once across the bridge, you’ll find this well worn sign next to another shaded picnic table.

The Spring runs for 18-20 minute intervals, then slows down for roughly the same period. At least when I was there on August 20th of 2015, “some” water was flowing down the boulders at all times. I don’t know if it ever completely dries up during the off periods?

This group of three shots was originally taken in the vertical orientation, but to show the pulsing spring, I cropped the images for this post.

Within a minute or so, a wall of water begins cascading down the boulder field and onward several hundred yards into Swift Creek at the bottom.

This shot was taken at about halfway up the cascades as the water made it’s way towards me. The sound of the tumbling water intensifies for a while, then gradually lulls. A trail continues up the canyon where people can see the actual opening where the water emerges from the hidden cavities. Several of the sites I found stated the last part of the climb can be treacherous. While there, I saw several people climb up and then disappear. I was there by myself and had a backpack full of lenses and a tripod, so I didn’t attempt it this time. I saw an older couple slide down one section on their butts. They told me it felt too dangerous to try to navigate over the loose gravel and steep terrain.

In between pulses of the spring, there are plenty of additional subjects worth exploring.

I saw a few critters like Chipmonks and Ground Squirrels, but no big game in the middle of the day. Insects and bird sounds were common, including the hissing of Cedar Waxwings feeding on the berry bushes.

When I walked up to the Springs originally, it was already in the middle of a new surge. I hung around for two more before heading back down on the gravel path.

I hiked the path with my photography gear this time, but the fishing looked promising. After making it to the van, I headed back down the gravel road. There was another pool with lots of trout milling around in the clear water. I pulled out the fly rod. After about 30 minutes of frustrating fishing, I figured out what they were interested in eating. I caught quite a few and lost a bunch more. They were all 12″ Snake River Cutthroats, reportedly stocked by the Game and Fish.

The drive to and from Afton will take you through the Snake River Canyon. Watch for wildlife, especially the Mountain Goats near the mouth of the canyon. In recent years, they have been most common in December, February and March but I hear reports of people seeing them off and on all year. The area between Alpine and Afton is mostly agricultural with the Salt River running through most of it. I saw numerous Osprey nests closer to Palisades Lake, still with birds ready to fledge. In the Fall, expect to see brightly colored Mountain Ash and Aspens along the Snake River Canon walls.

This is a great day trip and it is relatively close to Jackson! Take a picnic basket, water and necessities.You don’t have to be a photographer to enjoy this little slice of Wyoming!

Please, if you like this post, share it by clicking on the Social Media Icons and spread the word! Mike Jackson

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Many people come to Jackson Hole to experience the grandeur of the Tetons. Current visitors might not be too excited about all the smoke obscuring the vista views. The smoke of 2015 is streaming into the valley from wildfires in Idaho and Montana (and probably Oregon). As I write this post (August 19, 2015), newspaper reports are not too optimistic for clear skies anytime soon. Conditions might not be ideal by most people’s standards, but they certainly offer plenty of opportunities.

Now’s a perfect time to be more creative and more open to what you actually can capture during the hazy days. My best immediate suggestion would be to be out very early and very late. The colors in the sky will be much more vivid than on most ordinary days. Morning light will remain “golden” much longer. Your images will probably have a unique, saturated appearance.

This image was taken late in the evening. The moose was in the shade, but the light dispersed nicely into the scene.

If you can get close to your subjects, the layers of smoke will not be apparent at all.

Smoke and haze will usually turn textured distant mountains and tree lines into solid planes of solid color.

Watch for layered mountains and screaming colors in the morning sky.

Remember to look for smaller chunks of the landscape. Simplified shapes can be very powerful!

Scenes we’ve seen a thousand times before can take on an ethereal character.

Also, remember smoke is similar to fog and rain—though it might be more vivid. Here are a couple of old Feature Posts that might give you additional ideas on how to capitalize on the smoky conditions:

• Embracing Fog and Low Clouds
• Making the Best of a Rainy Day:

On many late summer days, a fair number of photographers take a nap or spend the afternoon looking for future shooting locations. Light is often “too contrasty” for their tastes. With the filtered light, it is possible to shoot all day.

Software Helpers

This is a screen grab of an image in Lightroom showing the morning’s hazy skies.

The new Lightroom Dehaze filter is located in the Effects tab. It is easy to overdo the effect, and occasionally you might find it necessary to cut back on the Vibrance and/or Saturation sliders. You might also want to try this filter on “normal” shots.

The image above is the same image after applying the Dehaze filter at +74, as shown in the screen grab above. It might be worth noting this shot was taken just as the morning’s sun had barely cleared Shadow Mountain at my back. The gold was very saturated and the pink cast in the mountains was amplified as a result. The Dahaze filter won’t solve all problems, but it can certainly help! Advanced Photoshop and Lightroom users could probably recreate the results, but the adjustment above was created with one simple slider!

Comments: In some years, the Forest Service and National Parks set controlled burns in the late part of summer and into fall. Most photographers, including myself, complained about the smoke and plead for them to set the fires after the fall foliage season. Our pleas were seldom heeded. Even the JH Chamber of Commerce’s requests for later burns had little affect. This year’s fires are different. As far as I know, none of the current smoke is a result of local fires or controlled burns, so we really have no valid bureaucratic complaints, at least on a local level. Hopefully, we can stay fire free for much of the season. There are plenty of photographic opportunities either way.

It might be worth noting the circumstances this year. When we had prescribed burns and controlled burns here in the Tetons, some photographers bailed on our area and headed into Yellowstone to escape the smoke and haze. The Chamber of Commerce didn’t like it, of course. This year, most of the western states are going to be covered by the same blanket of smoke. The Tetons might be the best place to be during the late summer and fall.

Please, if you like this post, share it by clicking on the Social Media Icons and spread the word! Mike Jackson

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A monthly journal of wildlife reports, scenic opportunities, and tidbits for both photographers and Teton visitors!

Recent Daily Updates Archives:
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2014: Dec: | Nov: | Oct: | Sept: | Aug: | July: | June: | May: | Apr: | Mar: | Feb: | Jan:
2013: Dec: | Nov: | Oct: | Sept: | Aug:

Check out the August Overview!

Monthly Overviews for JH / GTNP . Get a quick look at 12 months side by side.

August 14, 2015 :

Photos From Late Last Evening

Cowboy Gear: Taken at the John Moulton Barn on Mormon Row. D800 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

Corrals: Taken at the John Moulton Barn on Mormon Row. I tried this version with the ridge of the barn, mountain silhouette and stars, but it ended up being too much competing for a story line.  D800 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

Moulton Homestead: D800 and Nikon 14-24mm lens.

Peach House and Milky Way: D800 and Nikon 14-24mm lens.

Photos from Early This Morning

The Window at the Shane Cabin: D800 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

Shane Cabin Fences:  D800 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

Passing Bison: I drove by the Mormon Row barns and liked the developing clouds, so I pulled over and waited. This solitary old Bull Bison was strolling along on the road, clearing out the photographers that had been standing in front of it. Perfect scenario! D800 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

TA Moulton Barn and Bison: D800 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

TA Moulton Barn and Bison: Harrison Goodall’s three crews of volunteers have completed their work on the T.A. Moulton barn for this year. Another crew will work on the rest of the roof. You can read a lot more about the preservation efforts on this page: Mormon Row Preservation and Enhancement 2015: D800 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

Teton Valley Mountain Rendezvous: SECOND DAY! This Rendezvous is just over Teton Pass in Idaho. I believe this is the third year for this one, but possibly only two?

Upcoming Plans?  If you are planning a trip to the region, here are a couple of suggestions:

• All Summer: Jackson, WY: Farmer’s Markets ~ Saturdays on the Town Square.
• All Summer! Jackson, WY: Rodeo on Wednesday and Saturday nights all summer.
• All Summer! Jackson, WY: JH Shootout on the Town Square at 6:30 nightly (except Sunday).

One-On-One Excursions Openings: I have one opening for this weekend and two slots available between August 20th and August 31 . September is mostly filled, but there are a couple of open spots towards the end of the month. Just ask! The trips are designed to help people learn to use their DSLR cameras and help photographers find some of GTNP’s nice shooting locations. Click the link for more information. (Golden Era Studios / Mike R. Jackson is an Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service and the National Elk Refuge.)

Regional News: Killer griz put down Aug 14, 2015 ~ Elk refuge bison hunt starts Saturday  Aug 13, 2015 via Jackson Hole News & Guide

August 13, 2015 :

A Moose Morning in GTNP

Moose on the Move: Taken along the Gros Ventre. D800 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Resting Moose: Bedded down in high grass. D800 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Resting Moose:  D800 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

To Clone or Not to Clone?
I did my initial adjustments for this image in Lightroom, then took it to Photoshop to do some additional fixes. I copied the base layer to a new layer and then used the “content aware” Spot Healing Brush to remove the tall stalks of grass across his face. I used the Clone tool to fix a couple of tough areas like the stalk going across the Bull’s mouth. For this image, I probably spent two or three minutes on the quick fix. I left the grass in the wider image above. I think it works fine with his eye sharp and not covered with a stalk…but then…I moved my camera left and right to get that clear shot of the eye. There was no angle to eliminate all stalks of grass. I have lots of other images of resting Moose without the grass, but who knows when this version is requested by an editor? Resting Moose: A Collection of Less Seen Lifestyle Images

I left the resting moose pair and drove out looking for Bison. They were quite a ways off, so I passed on them. Before heading home, I hiked another half mile of the Gros Ventre, but didn’t see any additional moose. Gambles sometimes pay off!

August 12, 2015 :

Shane Cabin: (Luther Taylor historic homestead) The morning clouds looked very promising today. I passed up a chance to photograph a moose, thinking the sunrise would be worth it. I ended up with a few minutes of color and then everything turned gray. I used an off-camera strobe to add some light on the corner of the cabin. You might enjoy seeing these two earlier posts about this cabin and homestead area: “SHANE” — The Epic Western Movie Filmed in Jackson Hole and The Shane Cabins: Authentic Homestead in Grand Teton National Park D800 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

Through the Window: Also taken at the Shane Cabin and with a little light added using an off-camera SB-910 Strobe.  D800 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

Bison Lip Curl: Taken in the fields north of Kelly. I snapped this one out the window and over a bean bag.  Check out: Flehmen Response or “Lip Curl” in GTNP Moose D800 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Preening Beaver: Taken at the overlook along the Gros Ventre. D800 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Beaver Crossing: This large beaver had to cross a gravel and rock bar to get from the main channel to a side channel. D800 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Parade of Mergansers: Also taken along the Gros Ventre. D800 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Jackson Hole Live ~ Free Concert at the Snow King Ball Field: This is Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe with Maddy and the Groove Spots. D800 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Karl Denson: Near the end of his solo performance. D800 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

August 11, 2015 :

First Light on Bull Moose: Yesterday, I received a report of five Bull Moose along the Gros Ventre River. This morning, I drove out hoping to see them. I found this bull…one I call Custer. Just like last year, he has a few white spots in his fur, no dewlap, and a drop tine on his right antler. D800 and Nikon 200-400mm lens.

Bull Moose in Cottonwoods: A couple of minutes after this shot, he bedded down for the morning. D800 and Nikon 200-400mm lens.

Moulton Barn Progress: The crews are still working on the T.A. Moulton Barn. It received new shingles on the two sheds and will get a new roof in the center section soon. Keep an eye on this page as they make more progress:  Mormon Row Preservation and Enhancement 2015: D4 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

Jackson Hole Shootout: Held nightly (except Sunday) on the NE corner of the Town Square. Get there at 5:45 pm and be ready for some dancing’ and shootin’ at 6:00 pm. I added this photo to the new page:FREE in Jackson Hole ~ Areas & Activities: D4 and Nikon 70-200mm lens.

Cycles: There are lots of cycles passing through town this week, returning from the big rally in Sturgis. Riders line their bikes in front of the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar  and then wander around town like any of black leather chap wearing tourists. D4 and Nikon 70-200mm lens.

August 10, 2015 :

One of the most popular old Feature Posts on this site is: If I Had Only One Day in the Tetons. I wrote that one not long after I started Best of the Tetons two years ago. Today, I spent some time on the page to make the images larger and clarify some points. Check it out!

I Need YOUR Help! Yesterday, I posted this new Feature Post: FREE in Jackson Hole ~ Areas & Activities: I included a lot of activities and locations you can visit in the JH area for FREE. Please, check it out and let me know if you have something to offer! I’ll be adding to the list over the next few months.

JH Fish Hatchery: This morning, I drove north out of town and took a few photos of the JH/YS Area Visitor Center on North Cache, the National Museum of Wildlife Art and did a quick tour of the Jackson Hole National Fish Hatchery at the north edge of the National Elk Refuge. The photo above was taken inside the runways in the five year old facility. The hatchery tour is just one of the free activities on the list in the new post:  FREE in Jackson Hole ~ Areas & Activities: D4 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

We Love GTNP: I saw this one a vehicle and had to turn around to get a shot of it. It looks like they have been up and down Mormon Row a few times! D4 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

Wildlife: I had a Photo Excursion on Saturday. I tried desperately to get my clients in front of a Bull Moose, but they were nowhere to be found. I went out again on Sunday. Same story. This morning, I received a report of five of them at the overlook along the Gros Ventre, even though he said they were not in great photographic locations today. Otters have been spotted with their new offspring. And, I heard a report of some of the Elk beginning to strip their velvet. Soon, we should start hearing some early morning bugling. Moose usually begin stripping their velvet on the last few days of August and the first week of September.

Cowboy Kenny: I took this shot late in the day on the Town Square. D800 and Nikon 70-200mm lens

August 9, 2015 :

Sunday Morning in the Park

Foggy Morning: The fences are part of the old John Moulton Homestead on Mormon Row. The distant buildings are the Thomas Murphy Homestead. D800 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

Sunflower: I believe this is a sunflower? There are a few plants around the Kelly Warm Springs. I underexposed the original scene, then added light with an off-camera Nikon SB910 strobe. The strobe was held slightly from behind. D800 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

Upcoming Plans?  If you are planning a trip to the region, here are a couple of suggestions:

• All Summer: Jackson, WY: Farmer’s Markets ~ Saturdays on the Town Square.
• All Summer! Jackson, WY: Rodeo on Wednesday and Saturday nights all summer.
• All Summer! Jackson, WY: JH Shootout on the Town Square at 6:30 nightly (except Sunday).
• West Yellowstone, MT: Smoking Waters Mtn. Man Rendezvous: July 31-August 9
• Fort Hall, ID ~52nd Annual Shoshone-Bannock Festival & Pow Wow  ~ August 6-9, 2015

From the Back Yard:

Broad-tailed Hummingbird: I don’t know how much longer the male Hummingbirds hang around the valley.  I figured I’d better try to capture a few more of them today. D800 and Nikon 200-400mm lens.

Iridescent Gorget: When light from the lower strobe hits the goret just right, it explodes with color. D800 and Nikon 200-400mm lens.

Late Afternoon in JH

Devon Allman Band: A free concert in the Commons at Teton Village. Concerts are held in July and August starting at 5pm. There are usually three different bands on each of the days. D4 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

Devon Allman: Devon is the son of Greg Allman. He was singing “ Melissa“ at the time I took this shot. D4 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

These photos tie in with a brand new Feature Post called: FREE in Jackson Hole ~ Areas & Activities:

August 8, 2015 :

Blacktail Butte: It was “moody” in the Park today with low clouds mixed with passing thunderclouds. This was taken from Antelope Flats Road looking south towards the Gros Ventre. D800 and Nikon 70-200mm lens

Sunrise Opportunities: The tips of the Teton Range was visible at times, but was chopping them off as the first bands of light hit them. D800 and Nikon 70-200mm lens

Bison In Gold Light: The Tetons might not have lit up, but a band of gold light moved across the Gros Ventre Road, lighting this majestic old Bison Bull. I love the shaggy hair at the top of his head. D800 and Nikon 200-400mm lens

The Standoff: When a Bison’s tail is upright, he’s alert and ready for action. This dog somehow managed to get out of a camper and was chasing bison along the Gros Ventre Road. The owner was trying to get the dog to return, but it was having too much fun chasing the big prey. D4 and Nikon 200-400mm lens

Retreat: One of the big bulls finally had enough and sent the canine off the bluff and back to his master’s arms. This dog was lucky! D4 and Nikon 200-400mm lens

August 7, 2015 :

Jumping Red Squirrel: Last year, I spent some time trying to get similar shots. The squirrel was very active and eager to hoard a large supply of peanuts, so she gave me plenty of chances to get the shots. There was a learning curve for me, however. I kept seeing sharp perches, but blurry parts in the squirrel. It became apparent the blur was motion blur and not depth of field blur, so I began experimenting with the shutter speeds. I originally figured 1/1250th second would work, but at that distance, the squirrel was zipping across the scene. At around 1/4000th of a second, I started seeing clean, sharp images throughout. Yesterday, I started where I left off and began at 1/5000th second. I was able to nail numerous shots right off the bat. All I had to do was anticipate her jumps and click. There is more about the specifics in yesterday’s entry.

Today: My fishing buddy and I did a fly fishing trip on the South Fork (of the Snake) in Idaho. I’m packed a D4, Tamron 150-600mm, a Nikon 24-70, and a small tripod. This is a shot from an island across from this beautiful waterfalls at .6 second. D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens. More information on this page: Lesser Seen Regional Waterfalls

White-faced Ibis: I wasn’t sure about this bird. In the cloudy afternoon light, it looked almost black, but there are traces of green and maroon in its feathers. There’s an image on this page showing a Non-Breeding Adult: All About Birds ~ White-faced Ibis.  D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

August 6, 2015 :

Osprey Youngster: The close bird is a young Osprey still on the nest. The female is watching from behind and awaiting a morning meal. D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Osprey in Flight: D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Incoming Male Osprey: The female and young Osprey can be seen anxiously awaiting the arrival of the male with a small trout. This nest is just inside the south gate of Grand Teton National Park on the newly reopened Moose-Wilson Road. Numerous other Osprey nests can be seen along Highway 390 and around the small town of Wilson, WY. Moose: The mother moose and one calf was back in the tall grass near Sawmill Ponds, just up the road. Owls: People are always asking about the Great Gray Owls, seen and photographed by many earlier in the year. To my knowledge, none have been seen in the area recently.

Smaller Creatures — Afternoon Close to Home

Rocky the Squirrel: I haven’t stopped to take photos in my back yard for a long time. Today, I set up a branch and a landing stump for the resident Red Squirrel, then waited for her to show up. It didn’t take long! This was captured with three Nikon Strobes. The D800 was set to high-speed sync, allowing the strobes to work at the necessary speeds to stop the action. I was using a Nikon 70-200mm pre-focused on the branch and then set to manual. The ambient light was darkened by underexposing slightly, then adding light through strobes on the squirrel and willow leaves. D800 and Nikon 70-6\200mm lens.

Landing Zone: These two Red Squirrel shots were captured at 1/5000th second, F/14, at ISO 3200 on a Nikon D800.  D800 and Nikon 70-6\200mm lens.

Perched Broad-tailed Hummingbird: This a natural light photo taken with the other camera. This male is the current back yard protector, running off all intruders. D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

August 5, 2015 :

Resting Bison at 280mm: D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Resting Bison: This big bull was taking a break from the rut. He was next to Mormon Row, far away from the rest of the herd. I shot this one at 150mm.  D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Roof Work on T.A. Moulton Barn: A veteran team of volunteers have been adding new shingles to the T.A. Moulton Barn. Many of this group have been volunteering in GTNP each year for 20 years. There are more photos and lots more information on this page: Mormon Row Preservation and Enhancement 2015: They anticipate finishing their part of the south “horse shed” roof today, then will roof the north “hog shed” tomorrow. Another professional crew will replace the board and batten style roof after they are finished. Scaffolds will probably be part of the scene for the next couple of weeks. D800 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

Footbridge at the John Moulton Homestead: Other crews have been busy at the John Moulton Homestead adding or repairing a couple of necessary footbridges. More info here: Mormon Row Preservation and Enhancement 2015: D800 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

The Gravel Portion of the Moose-Wilson Road is closed today! It will reopen tomorrow morning at 8:00 am.

JH Tidbits: The second art show will be held this weekend in Miller Park. Gasoline has dipped back to under $3.00 a gallon for unleaded, self-serve. There are minimal construction delays in the JH area now. Sidewalk crews are busy around town and the bike path is still being built between Moose Junction and Antelope Flats Road.

Afternoon in the Park

Hawk on Metal Post: For now I’ll assume this is a Red-tailed Hawk, but if it isn’t someone will surely let me know! I received a Severe-Weather notice on my phone this afternoon, so I headed north. I pulled into Meadow Road, just off the highway. I was setting up to aim my camera towards Death Canyon and hoped to capture a few lightning bolts. That didn’t happen, but turning onto the road gave me a chance to get a few shots of this hawk. D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Young Moose: The Moose-Wilson Road was closed all day today. It will open at 8:00 am tomorrow.  I found this young moose and mother in the deep grass near Sawmill Pond on the Moose-Wilson Road. D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Running Young Moose: On several occasions, the youngster romped around the area. Light was way too low to be able to freeze it, so I adjusted the settings to achieve roughly 1/60th second and attempted to pan with it as it zipped by. I only captured a couple out of a hundred or so with reasonably sharp eyes and face. D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Quick Crossing: The mother moose eventually got fed up with the little one’s antics and reeled her in—crossing a shallow spring creek in the process. D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Nikon Announces Three New Lenses:

• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Lens : $1396.95 (4.6 lbs)
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR Lens : $2396.95
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.8G ED Lens : $746.95

I like the looks, specs and prices of all of them! I put my name on the pre-order list for the 200-500mm at Perfect Light today.

August 4, 2015 :

Little Wrangler: Instead of getting up early and being out in the field, I spent this morning going through (and culling) some of the images I already have on my computer. It was rainy, overcast and generally dark early this morning, but is clearing by noon. I took this image yesterday afternoon. D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Horseback Rides: If you’d like to take a horseback ride in the area, check out these outfitters.

• A-OK Corral Horseback Rides
• Teton Village Trail Rides
• Goosewing Ranch
• Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch
• Heart Six Guest Ranch
• Jackson Hole Outfitters
• Mill Iron Ranch Horseback Riding
• Wilderness Trails, Inc
• Castagno Outfitters
• Willow Creek Horseback Rides
• Spring Creek Ranch Horseback Riding
• Horseback Riding Vacations « Triangle X Ranch

Important Details on Upcoming Moose-Wilson Road Closure:  At  4:00 PM on Tuesday, August 4th, the Park Service will close the section of the road from the Laurance Rockefeller Preserve to the south entrance (north of Teton Village) for application of  magnesium chloride slurry—a dust abatement substance. The road will be closed all day and night on Wednesday, August 5th and then reopen at 8:00 am on Thursday, August 6th. The closure affects roughly 7 miles of the road.

August 3, 2015 :

Old Patriarch in B&W: There was a “chance” I would get splendid color on the Patriarch Tree this morning, but the orange glow of the early sun never penetrated the eastern clouds. I processed this one in NIK Silver Efex Pro. For more information, maps, and directions to the tree, check out: Revisiting an Old Friend: The Old Patriarch Tree.  D800 and Nikon 24-70mm lens.

Dusky Grouse: (Previously called Blue Grouse) This bird was walking around near the top of Signal Mountain. Unless they are on the road, these grouse are difficult to spot. I’ve heard of a few Black Bears in the area, but I didn’t spot them this morning. D800 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Afternoon in the Snake River Canyon

Big Kahuna: Quite a few companies offer whitewater rafting down the Snake River. Two of the bigger waves are Big Kahuna and Lunch Counter. The weather was overcast today, so I took the opportunity to go down for a few photos. On a bright, sunny day, the whitewater would push the rest of the scene much darker. D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Lunch Counter: This raft contained a  group of possible “Men in Black” trainees! D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Zoom Blur: I stopped down, then lowered the aperture to end up with a 1/5th second exposure. During the long exposure, I zoomed in quickly. There’s a sign along the highway indicating the parking area for the two zones. D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Wrangler: On of the area’s wranglers returning to the ranch. D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Carson and His Saddle: This shot has a layer with regular color, then a layer modified in NIK Silver Efex Pro above it. The opacity of the top layer was adjusted to taste. D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

August 2, 2015 :

Sunrise: Clouds hung close to the horizon in the Northeast, filtering the rising sun. D800 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Bull Elk: A nice sized “poser” near the Jenny Lake Junction. The amber/gold cast in this shot was a result of the filtered sunrise light seen in the previous photo. D800 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Mother Moose and Calf: Taken from the overlook along the Moose-Wilson Road. I finally got to see the Black Bear and two cubs on the Moose-Wilson Road, but I didn’t get shots. The gravel portion of the Moose-Wilson Road will be closed on August 4th for dust abatement. D800 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Afternoon Outing:

Bison Bull and Sage Flats: There was a layer of haze in the sky most of the day from an regional fire. This nice bull was near Mormon Row, across from the John Moulton Homestead. D800 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Passing the Pink House: Bison are in the rut now. This one was passing in front of John and Bartha Moulton’s “Pink House”. D800 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

August 1, 2015 :

2 Years at Best of the Tetons! I just hit a milestone. Technically, yesterday was the two year anniversary of the first post here on Best of the Tetons: The West of Yesteryear and Today.  Thanks to all the readers and subscribers! As always, I can use your help to spread the word about this site. I also encourage people to sign up to follow the blog to receive first notices of new posts. Hopefully, I can keep this going another year! Cheers, MJ

Blue Moon! Last night was a “Blue Moon”. That’s a term for the second full moon within one month. D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Blue Moon & Grand Peak: I shot these two moon images with a Nikon D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens on a steady tripod. The typical mid-toned gray peaks were still being bathed with early morning rose colored light. D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Bull Elk Looking Back: Taken near Jenny Lake on the Teton Park Road (Inner Loop Road) D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Biker and Blurred Tetons: I stopped along the highway to try my hand again at capturing a cycle rider. Streams of them are heading north each morning to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Spearfish, SD. Check the July 2015 Daily Updates and Photos: page to see a couple from yesterday. In one, everything was frozen. I had a blurry pan—similar to this one. July was a GREAT MONTH for me. I had a lot of variety of subject matter and chances to take plenty of photos, so check out the page! D4 and Nikon 70-200mm lens.

Note:  Feature Posts usually contain photos and information about a “specific topic” while the Updates and Photos (like this one) contain photos and comments I add each day.

Afternoon Horses: Taken near Teton Village in the late part of the day. D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Young Wrangler: D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Sweet Ride Home: D4 and Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Quick Notes:

• Flat Creek on the National Elk Refuge, Blacktail Ponds, and Cottonwood Creek below Jenny Lake opened to fishing today. As I drove north before sunlight, the parking lot was full already!
• The gravel portion of the Moose-Wilson Road will be closed on August 4th for dust abatement.

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An Ongoing List of Things You Can Do and See Without Pulling Out the Pocketbook!

Jackson Hole is not necessarily a cheap place to visit. We’ve lived here at least 29 years and feel the costs firsthand, however there are quite a few frugal activities worth exploring. Some require a vehicle and bit of gasoline, but otherwise have little additional expenses involved.

• Grand Teton National Park: A week park pass for GTNP costs roughly $30 and you’ll likely have to pay another $30 to enter Yellowstone. While the Park Service doesn’t state it anywhere, the entrance stations are seldom manned until 7:00 am. “Early birds” can slip usually slip through the gates without a fee, then stay all day. There’s no GTNP entrance station if coming into the Park from Yellowstone. There’s an entrance station at the south end if entering from Teton Village, but visitors can go to the Craig Thomas Visitor’s Center (for free) and then drive on south the entire length of the Moose-Wilson road without a fee. The eastern side of GTNP doesn’t have entrance stations at all. You can view Mormon Row, the Gros Ventre River basin, Kelly, “Shane Cabin”, Snake River Overlook, and Schwabacher Landing without having to buy a pass. Currently, GTNP does not charge a fee if entering the Park on bikes at the Moose entrance station. Only one person in a vehicle is required to have a Park Pass. The rest of a car load enters free via the one pass. Lastly, the National Park Service offers “Free Entry Days” several times a year. Watch this site or the Park’s web site for the dates.

• Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center – GTNP:  As mentioned in the previous section, you can go to the Craig Thomas Visitor Center at Moose, WY without ever having to go through an entrance station and having to pay the entrance fee. There are plenty of interesting exhibits, photos, and a wonderful book store. The other GTNP visitors centers are “inside the park” at Colter Bay and Jenny Lake. The Center is closed during the deep Winter months.

• Ranger Programs: Many people probably will already have a Park Pass, so spend a few minutes going over the many free Ranger-led programs inside the park.

• Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center: Located on the north edge of the town of Jackson on Cache Street. Additional agencies represented in the Center are the National Parks and Forest Service and the National Elk Refuge. There are numerous sculptures, displays and exhibits, along with rack cards and brochures about the regional businesses and activities. Just to the north of the center is a picnic pavilion, kids fishing pond, and a bird viewing platform.

• Bridger-Teton National Forest: There are plenty of trails, picnic areas, and areas of Jackson Hole you can enjoy without spending any money. Consider a drive up the Gros Ventre, out to Togwotee Pass, south through the Snake River Canyon, up Curtis Canyon, or to Granite Hot Springs and Granite Falls. (Wading and swimming in the creek is free. There’s a concrete pool near the falls which has a nominal fee if you choose to use it) Camping is free for up to two weeks in many unimproved campgrounds, and there’s a reasonable fee at most of the improved sites. Alternative Places to Visit, Hike, Fish, and Photograph

• Historic Miller Ranch: Throughout the summer months, the Historic Miller House on the National Elk Refuge is free to visitors interested in experiencing some of Jackson Hole’s history and preservation efforts. Click the link for details and hours of operation.

• Jackson National Fish Hatchery: Located on the National Elk Refuge. Enjoy a tour of the facility and see cutthroat trout at all stages of growth. A volunteer will great you and give you a tour of the main hatchery building. Fishing is allowed in the stocked pond. Kids of Wyoming residents can fish for free. Adults need a Wyoming fishing license. Children of non-Wyoming visitors may still fish, but at least one of their parents must buy a license. Many of the Snake River Cutthroat Trout raised in the hatchery are released in the Fall into the Palisades Reservoir south of Jackson. They swim upstream into the Snake River and fill in the gaps in the system.

• Jackson Hole Shootout: Held nightly (except Sunday) on the NE corner of the Town Square. Get there at 5:45 pm and be ready for some dancing’ and shootin’ at 6:00 pm.

• Jackson Hole Live ~ Free Music Concerts: Throughout the summer, a series of free concerts are held at various venues. Check the site for specific dates, times and locations.

• Concert on the Commons ~ Free Music Concerts: Sunday evening concerts are free on the Commons at Teton Village in July and August.

• Jackson Hole Farmer’s Market: Held each Saturday morning at the Town Square during the summer months. Kids can play in the square, and parents can enjoy the sights and sounds. Entry is free, but you can spend some money on fresh fruit, pastries, and so forth. The JH Public Market is held on Wednesdays at the base of SnowKing Mountain. 4:00 to 7:00 pm.

• Memorial Day and 4th of July Parades: Always free! They usually begin around 10:30 am. The Fireworks shows at SnowKing and Teton Village are also free on the 4th.

• Gondola Ride at Teton Village: Throughout the summer, you can ride the Bridger Gondola to the Coulior Restaurant for free. Show up at 4:30 pm and bring your camera and jacket! Most Saturdays are booked with private parties and weddings, along with some Fridays, so it might be best to call earlier the day. There’s a large deck for relaxation and viewing. They serve appetizers and drinks, but people are not required to buy them. The ride down is free, too!

• Wilson Beach: That what the locals call it anyway. Head out of Jackson and look for the sunbathers and kids splashing along the bank on the West side of the Snake River. There are parking areas on either side of the highway.

• Rubber Raft Rides on the Snake: This is popular with the teenagers and the younger crowd during the summer months. Innertubes and air mattresses are illegal within GTNP, however are allowed in some areas south of town. Most of the people put in at the new ramp (VonGontard Landing) five or six miles south of Jackson and then float to the Astoria boat landing a few miles down the river from Hogback Junction. As with any water activity, this one has a degree of danger, so please use all necessary precautions.

• Teton County & Jackson Parks and Recreation Parks: The Town of Jackson maintains several community parks around town. Kids can play on the playground equipment and there are picnic tables and shady areas for some cool air and relaxation time. Miller Park is close to downtown. The Mike Yokel and May Parks are in east Jackson. Powderhorn Park is located near Pizza Hut and McDonalds in West Jackson. Several parks have volleyball and tennis courts. Click the link for maps and directions.

• JH Skate Board Park:  The free park located near the High School baseball and football field. The park was expanded a few years ago and features a large bowl, mini bowl and plenty of “street” features. Contests are held at the park periodically and viewing is free.

• High School Football, Basketball, and Other Sports: Free admission to all High School sporting events.

• SnowKing Trail: Throughout the summer, hikers can take a trail from the base area to the top of SnowKing mountain, then ride the chairlift down for free.

• Snow King Climbing Rocks: Aside from the other parks listed above, the Snow King public park has a free rock climbing area. Walls for all skill levels.

• Bike & Hiking Path System: The Teton County / Town of Jackson system of asphalt covered paths is constantly expanding. Hikers and bikers can take advantage of the entire system for free. Walkers and hikers area also allowed along the road on the National Elk Refuge. I recently read there are over 50 miles of paved paths and countless more hiking and biking trails. Some of the more popular trails are on Snow King Mountain and up Cache Creek.

• Winter Cross Country Skiing: There are several commercial cross-country ski trails which will cost money, but there are several free areas.

• Stargazing: Jackson Hole has some of the darkest skies in the U.S. All you have to do is drive out of town a few miles to see the amazing heavens as few other people see them. This area draws plenty photographers wanting to capture the Milky Way and constellations. As mentioned earlier, the east side of GTNP has no entry gates. The Mormon Row barns are popular subjects to include under the stars. Note: This shot was taken inside the Park, but the entrance stations are usually closed by late evening and you can drive in without having to pay.

• Slide Lake: This area is popular with wind surfers, canoeists, and family swimming.

• National Museum of Wildlife Art: Entrance into the actual museum has a fee, but the exterior areas do not. The museum is located a few miles north of town and overlooks the National Elk Refuge and Sleeping Indian mountain.

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• The National Museum of Wildlife Art has an impressive Sculpture Trail with great views of the valley floor. During the Summer of 2015, watch for the Ai Weiwei group of twelve Zodiac sculptures.

• Teton County Fair: The midway and most exhibits at the fair are free to view and enjoy. It costs to ride the rides and go to some of the bigger events.

• Fishing: Okay…it takes a Wyoming Fishing License to be able to legally fish in the state. If you have the license, you can find quite a few good places to fish in the region—and your children 13 and under can fish free as long as the license bearer is with them.

• Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival: Many of the events at the Fall Arts Festival are free to the viewing public. This shot shows the “Quick Draw” event held during the Festival.

• Jackson Hole Gallery Association’s Art Walk : Enjoy Jackson Hole’s world class art galleries on the third Thursday of the month from 5-8pm. Parking is free downtown. You don’t have to go on the Art Walk to visit the town’s art and photography galleries.

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