February 29, 2020 – Saturday
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 Winter! MJ
Well, it’s that time of the year! By the time most people read this last February entry, Darla and I will be on a plane headed to Cancun. It’s our time to get a little sun and relax. I’ll upload the March 2020 Daily Journal with photos from early March in 2019, along with links to the past four years of March Daily Journals.
We should be back and covering JH and GTNP on the 8th.
Cheers! Mike Jackson
February 28, 2020 – Friday
Bull Moose: I haven’t seen Moose in the sage flats for a long time. The snow is too deep! Instead, they have switched from feeding on Bitter Brush to twigs and small branches. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Twigs and Branches: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bull Moose: This bull was feeding near the Shane Cabin. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Tree Stump and Shadows: This old tree stands in a small meadow along the Gros Ventre Road. The long shadows caused me to pull over for a quick shot. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
February 27, 2020 – Thursday
Trumpeter Swans: These two Swans were milling around in the Kelly Warm Springs. Four or five bison were grazing on the hill north of the Springs. A few Sage Grouse were also on the ridge, but flew just as I was driving up. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Trumpeter Swan: One of the two Trumpeters took its morning bath, them stretched its wings against the white wall of steam coming off the water. There were times I couldn’t see ANY swans and many times when the autofocus didn’t work. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Trumpeter Swan: Luckily, the steam had lifted a little when the swan flapped its wings. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Other Wildlife: There were several Bighorns feeding just under the ridge on Miller Butte along with several Elk on the top of the ridge. Most of the elk were bunched up in areas where the refuge feed truck was dropping pellets. I heard about a few long distance sighting of at least one wolf pack.
Elk on the Refuge: Taken late in the day on the National Elk Refuge. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Sleeping Indian: I waited for most of an hour for the light to move up to Sleeping Indian, but it stayed on the closer ridge. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
February 26, 2020 – Wednesday
Black-capped Chickadee: Yesterday, I included a Mountain Chickadee. This species is a bit bigger, but equally fidgety and challenging. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Self Imposed Homework: I’ve been spending a lot of time in front of the computer culling last year’s folders of images. When I started, there were over 190,000 images and it is now down to 135,000 files. Actually, the project is to cull the lesser images and add keywords to the keepers. While all of this is going on, my computer is uploading images to the Backblaze server. If it maintains the upload speed of roughly 850 per hour, it will take 33 days!
Weather and Other Loose Ends: It’s getting late into February. The sun is finally hitting the face and slopes of Snow King Mountain. On sunny afternoons, and with no wind, it can be quite comfortable being outside.
February 25, 2020 – Tuesday
Mountain Chickadee: Taken in my back yard late in the day. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod
Tuesday Notes: I’ve been dedicated to culling a lot of my folders of images lately. I’ve managed to go through all of the 2020 images and have made a decent dent in the 2019 images. With that said, there are still 144,000 raw files from 2019 in my Lightroom catalog. Ouch! Not that long ago, there were over 190,000! Progress—slow and sure. Backblaze is still uploading files to the server but it still has 698,000 files to go….Christmas? Lastly, if you have a Mac, never try to delete (trash) a Time Machine directory. I did. At some point, I will have to erase the drive to get rid of the residual files in the trash.
White-breasted Nuthatch: These fun little birds spend a lot of their time going down trees, vs up. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod
Great Horned Owl: I love the late evening light and colors. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Tetons in Late Afternoon Light: Taken from South Park Loop Road. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
South Park Barn: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
South Park Shack: I’ve photographed this little building several times, but not from this angle. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
South Park Shack: Light was hitting the snow capped peaks and the clouds looked great. I liked the long shadows across the snow, too. Wyoming at its best! Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
South Park Barn Pano: Sometimes winter photos appear dull and lifeless. That can be even more true on overcast days. The photos in today’s entry highlight the beauty possible on a winters day. Check out the orange in the snow near the bottom from the reflected light on the golden willows! This image was stitched from four or five vertical captures, creating a huge file! Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
I have numerous tour openings available in March & April.
The 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.
February 24, 2020 – Monday
Bighorn Rams: A few of the Bighorns were off the butte this morning. Many them are starting to bleach — typical for this time of the year. A few of the ewes and lambs were on the road. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bighorn Ram – December 1, 2019: I added this photo to show how much the ram’s fur changes over the winter months.
Backblaze: I have all of my files backed up on at least two drives, but I didn’t have an “off premise” solution. After my presentation at the Teton Photography Club last Wednesday, a friend recommended Backblaze. I paid $60 and dowloaded the software. It immediately began backing all of the hard drives connected to my Mac. It might take a long time to upload roughly 35 Terabytes, but after that, the software is supposed to maintain an exact duplicate of my drives.
February 23, 2020 – Sunday
Sage Grouse: I drove out to Kelly early this morning to check on the small group of Bison. They’ve moved a few hundreds west from the Kelly Warm Springs. On the way, I stopped for about an hour to take photos of this rooster feeding on the sagebrush. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Sage Grouse: I took 575 image and managed to whittle them down to 14 keepers. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Golden Eagle: Actually this photo was from yesterday. It was taken near a road kill along the highway. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Golden Eagle: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Pine Grosbeak: Another shot from yesterday. Males have a red chest and head while the females have yellow. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
02-22-2020 – Saturday
Click the image above to view a short video about Bluebird clear days.
Late & Early Edition!
I went out for a little while yesterday afternoon, then stayed for sunset. I processed these last night, but decided to wait until this morning to post them.
Pine Grosbeak: I spotted six of these feeding on berries in West Jackson. I didn’t get the “shot of my dreams”, but will try again. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bison: The main reason I went out was to see if the Bison were still at the Kelly Warm Springs.They look content to stay there. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Sage Grouse: I’ve been seeing around 40 Sage Grouse near Kelly, but always at a distance of around 40-50 yards. Yesterday, a few were a lot closer. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Trumpeter Swan: When I arrived at the Kelly Warm Springs, two Trumpeter Swans were swimming around. I got a couple of shots as they flew by.Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Trumpeter Swan: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Snake River Overlook: As I was driving through the Roundabout, the skies looked “promising” so I went north. I was hoping for a fiery sunset. Nikon D850 and Nikon 24-70mm Lens, Tripod
Snake River Overlook: I got “some” red and orange, but not as intense as I had hoped. Both of these shots were bracketed with 2 stops between the three captures, then merged to HDR in Lightroom. Nikon D850 and Nikon 24-70mm Lens, Tripod
Happy Birthday to Macey!
Macey turned one year old today! She is 67 pounds of fur and solid muscle.
February 21st, 2020 – Friday
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 Winter! MJ
Steamy Bison: A few Bison made their way from the northern portion of the park to the Kelly Warm Springs. At -16ºF, you can get a variety of “looks”. Some have a mystical appearance. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Steamy Bison: I post this one to my Instagram account today and is getting many likes and comments in the first few minutes. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Steamy Bison: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Steamy Bison: With no wind, the Bison could become completely obscured, then when the wind blew the steam back, I was able to get a few moody images. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Common Mergansers: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bison at the Kelly Warm Springs: I saw this group near Ditch Creek a few days ago and they looked hungry, but the snow banks were roughly 3 feet high on each side of the road. Besides the chances to photograph them in the steam, I was happy to see they had found some food. They spent most of their time this morning with their head down feeding on the grass in the Warm Springs area. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
02-20-2020 – Thursday
Elk: I went down to Alpine hoping to see a few Mountain Goats but came up empty. I headed on south and took some shots at the feed grounds south of Alpine. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bull Elk: The feed grounds staff feed the Elk in the morning. By noon, they are mostly finished and move back from the road and start bedding down. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bald Eagle: I hear it takes around 5 years for a Bald Eagle to develop a solid white head. This one was near the Snake River south of town. It was in a tree along with a bunch of Ravens, with a road kill in the snow bank below it. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bald Eagle: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Great Horned Owl: When I went south this morning, I spotted this GHO fluffed up with another GHO only a few feet away. It was in the -17º to -22º F this morning, so they were just biding time until the sun came up. When I drove back home, I stopped again with better light. One had left the tree. It appears they like the cover with all of the branches, but it makes it difficult to get a “clean” photo without branches across them. Maybe someday! Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Tree and Long Shadows: Captured in the Snake River Canyon. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
THANKS to the Best of the Tetons readers and TPC members that showed up for last night’s Wildlife Photography presentation via the Teton Photography Club. It’s humbling to see people in the audience watching that should have been doing the presentation! Darla came with me last night. I was happy she got to meet the many wonderful people I bump into out in the field MJ.
February 19th, 2020 – Wednesday
Pre-Sunrise: There’s a time on clear mornings in the winter when then sky turns cerulean blue and the mountains get a hint of magenta or rose color that I love. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Snake River Overlook: The weather report suggested there would be partly cloudy skies in the morning, followed by clear skies throughout the day. The clear skies came earlier than I had hoped, but it was still a beautiful sight. At -22°F, it didn’t take me long to get the shot I wanted and then head back to the truck. Nikon D850 and Nikon 24-70mm Lens, Tripod
Sunrise at the S Curves: In many areas, the snow has completely covered the sagebrush. It’s easy to understand why most of the wildlife has moved towards the river bottoms or edges of town. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
The Grand: I took this photo near Windy Point along the open section of the Teton Park Road. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
This presentation is tonight!
The directors at the Teton Photography Club asked me to do a presentation about wildlife. I have been working on adding photos to Lightroom for the event. If you are in town, you are welcome to attend the free event. MJ
February 18th, 2020 – Tuesday
Pink and Purple Morning: I was up early enough to capture a morning sunrise. As I was going through the Roundabout, I could see the clouds were covering the Grand so I headed on out to the Kelly area, possibly hoping to see coyotes, foxes, bison, eagles and so forth. I took this record shot from the East Boundary Road a few miles north of Kelly. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bison Portrait: The Park Service plowed a lane on Antelope Flats Road from the highway to the East Boundary Road to make it easier for a few Bison to make the 3.3 mile crossing. I found five of them near Ditch Creek this morning. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bison Eyes: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Steam and Fog: The steam was backlit along the Gros Ventre River. Worth a shot! Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Kelly Warm Springs Swan: At -12°F and a brisk wind, I “earned” this shot! Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Tetons in Black and White: By the time I was heading back towards town, the morning “color” had long ago disappeared. I took this photo, anticipating I would turn it into black and white. I liked the glow on the north end of Blacktail Butte and especially the sliver of light at the lower right. The clouds also were an attraction. Check out the January Feature Post if you like landscapes. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
A Bounty of Winter Landscapes in Black and White
Tip/Hint/Comment: If you read the text in the first photo today, I mentioned the Park Service had plowed normally closed 2.5 miles of Antelope Flats Road. The barricades are still up, but it would be much easier to hike out to the Mormon Row barns until the road fills back in. I’d suggest carrying a pair of snow shoes to move around once at the barns, however.
February 17th, 2020 – Monday – Presidents Day
Migrating Mule Deer: I drove north this afternoon and counted at least 55 Mule Deer working their way north. Between that group and town, I saw roughly another 30 Mule Deer. Only one of them had antlers. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Migrating Mule Deer: By tomorrow, I would expect them to be somewhere near the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
This morning, I spent some time culling through a folder of random “Moose” photos. It originally contained over 19,000 photos. After a few hours, I got it down to 8,000! I am sure the hard drive enjoys the extra space. I can probably take the 8,000 down to 1,000 on another pass.
February 16th, 2020 – Sunday
Raven Calling: I did a quick run to the Elk Refuge and then north to the National Museum of Wildlife Art. I took this shot in town. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
House Finch: After lunch, I put out some sunflower seeds and suet for my back yard birdies. A pair of House Finches showed up a short time afterwards. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod
House Finch: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod
Mountain Chickadee: I spent quite a bit of time getting photos ready for the presentation Wednesday. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod
February 15th, 2020 – Saturday
Golden Eagle?: Someone could correct me, but this one appears to be a Golden. (Shorter beak and rusty orange head) Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Black-beaked Magpie: We see Magpies all year. This one was feeding near the Kingfisher below in South Park. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Belted Kingfisher: You often hear these birds before you see them! They are notoriously difficult to photograph well. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
South Park Barns: Another of the many privately owned barns sprinkled throughout the valley. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
February 14th, 2020 – Friday – Valentine’s Day
Tetons and Stars: Skies looked clear from town last evening. I checked with Siri to find out that the moon wouldn’t rise until around 11:30 pm, so I made a quick run to Snake River Overlook. The bright star in this photo is Venus. Nikon D5 and Sigma 24 mm Art Lens, Tripod
Mt. Moran and Milky Way: The Milky Way is north of Moran right now and running overhead across the valley. Nikon D5 and Sigma 24 mm Art Lens, Tripod
Snake River Overlook: It was cold last night and the wind was brisk! I took 15 photos and headed back home. If going out again this time of the year, I might consider trying to find a few shots from the Taggart Lake Trailhead area. Nikon D5 and Sigma 24 mm Art Lens, Tripod
Elk Refuge Sleigh Ride: Riders were bundled up with cold temperatures and stiff winds. I took the shot in the afternoon as they returned to the stables. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
February 13th, 2020 – Thursday
Winter Reflections: Another cold winter morning in Jackson Hole! This photo was taken along the East Boundary Road, north of Kelly. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Teton Range Pano: I didn’t expect to get landscapes this morning, but the weatherman was wrong (again). I saw some Sage Grouse near Kelly this morning, but none close enough for good photos. (Click the image to see it larger!) Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Trumpeter Swans: I saw these two in the Kelly Warm Springs. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheldo
Moose Calf: I was shooting almost into the sun on this one, but it worked out fairly well. The cow and calf were deeper in the willows when I drove by originally, but on the way back out, the calf was standing next to the river. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Tipi Poles: The raven was atop the tipi poles with the distinctive Grand in the background. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Teton Peaks in Black and White: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Teton Peaks: Taken from the Moose-Wilson Road. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
February 12th, 2020 – Wednesday
Mother Moose: This cow was roaming my neighborhood this morning. She had just bedded down after feeding on crabapples. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Mule Deer: This is a lousy shot, but if it looks familiar, it’s because it was taken on the hillside above the Juniper tree where the Mountain Lion rested each day. I scan the hillside each time I go by, just hoping to get lucky! Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Mountain Goats: I received a report that five or six Mountain Goats were on the road in the Canyon. I drove down, but they were already heading back up the mountain. The dirtier one on the left is a “billy”. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Nanny: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Young Mule Deer: I took this photo yesterday in town. Mule Deer can be seen on the hillsides above town and along the highway heading out of town. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
In the News: Nikon just announced their new flagship body: Nikon D6. Click the link to see specs disclosed by Thom Hogan.
February 11th, 2020 – Tuesday
Buck Mountain: Just a quick opening in the clouds this morning. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Winter Hillside: Taken along the Gros Ventre Road. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Frosted Trees: Taken along the Gros Ventre River. It was -5°F early this morning. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Frosted Rocks: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Frosted Trees: The weather report called for clear skies, but it turned out to be quite cloudy. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Frosted Cottonwoods: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Spring Gulch Road: This is the old Hansen Barn. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Hansen Barn: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Barn Windows: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
February 10th, 2020 – Monday
Bighorn Ram: If you visited the site earlier today, you would have seen three “record shots”. I deleted them to make room for a few better ones. This ram was grazing all day in essentially the same area. At one time, a Magpie landed on his back, but during the entire time, he had his head down at the ground. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Tripod.
Grand with Afternoon Clouds: Clouds covered the Grand almost all day today. I waited around to get this short lived glimpse of the peak, taken from the East Boundary Road. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Snow Banks and Snow Drifts: This little shot caught my eye. I thought it was for the shot. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bald Eagle: These raptors should be pairing up and begin nest building soon. There were two near the Kelly Warm Springs today. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bald Eagle: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Homestead: Light was hitting these structures near the East Boundary road, while the distant hillside was in the cool darkness. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
February 9th, 2020 – Sunday
Super Moon: I took this photo from Spring Gulch Road as it set over West Gros Ventre Butte. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Shane Cabin: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Buck Rail Fence: Morning shot at the Shane Cabin. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
The Old Gate: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Trumpeter Swan: Morning light and steam at the Kelly Warm Springs. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Trumpeter Swan: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Trumpeter Swans: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Kelly Fence: I took this to show the snow depth. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Raven: I took this one yesterday on the National Elk Refuge. It was still on the CF card. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Elk Herd: Elk scatter some in the afternoons. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Sleeping Indian: Another photo from the National Elk Refuge yesterday afternoon. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
February 8th, 2020 – Saturday
Raven: I did a quick morning run, first to the National Elk Refuge. This Raven was on a rock at one of the pullouts. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bighorns: I was there early and the Bighorns were still resting on the hillside. No Wolves…No Foxes…No Coyotes today! I had a report that there were “no goats” visible in the Snake River Canyon this morning. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Elk Herd: I took this one at about 9:30 am as the sleigh ride crews made their way to the pick up cabin. The first tours start at 10:00 am. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Sleeping Swans: Spotted along Flat Creek. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Strecth: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Common Golden Eye: Also on Flat Creek. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
February 7th, 2020 – Friday
Hardeman Barn: I switched things up a bit this morning and headed towards the town of Wilson at the base of Teton Pass. This barn is home to the Teton Raptor Center. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Hardeman Barn: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Feeding Horses: I think these horse belong to the Walton Ranch. Snow was falling, making the shot a little more interesting. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Hay Rolls: Also part of the Walton Ranch near the Snake River Bridge. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Wilson Barn: At the base of Teton Pass. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Trail Creek Barn: The last two photos show a style of barn seen in several places in the valley. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Macey: Macey goes with me on most days. I let her run through the fresh snow today. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
February 6th, 2020 – Thursday
Bighorn Ram: After running the snow blower on 4″ of new snow, I did a quick run to the National Elk Refuge. I found a few rams near the road. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bighorn Rams: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bighorn Ram: The ram looks like he did a considerable amount of head banging. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
February 5th, 2020 – Wednesday
Pronghorns on the National Ell Refuge: Today, I spotted around 10 Pronghorns on the Refuge. There may be another dozen or so. Most Pronghorns migrate out of the valley for the Winter, due to the deep snow. Hopefully, these will winter well, but in past years, few of them make it. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Pronghorns: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Pronghorns: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
February 4th, 2020 – Tuesday
Sunrise: Wow! What a difference a day makes! Yesterday was gray, cloudy, and windy. This morning, the skies were clear, with only a little wind, and very cold temperatures. -10º to -14°F were common until well after the sun came up. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Trumpeter Swan: Most of the Swans I saw were curled up to get past the morning cold. I found three a bit more active when the sun hit them. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
I did a quick run out to Kelly. I didn’t see any Moose, nor any remnant Bison. When I drove to the National Elk Refuge and saw only a few Coyotes and Bighorns at a distance. I might try there again later in the day.
Historic Miller House: Those streaky clouds were an anomaly today. It was essentially a cloudless day. You might be able to see a few Elk scattered on the hillside behind the house. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Coyote: Spotted on the National Elk Refuge. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Elk Cow on Ridge: This cow was keeping an eye on the Coyote below. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Elk Herd: Earlier today, Elk were in a tight bunch awaiting the food truck. By afternoon, they were much more scattered. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Great Horned Owl: Tucked deep in a Golden Willow tree. Two or three minutes later, the sun dropped behind the mountains. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Aspen Trunks: Taken just before sunset. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
February 3rd, 2020 – Monday
GTNP Sign: Around here, you’ll sometimes hear someone say, “It snowed a foot sideways”. I think it did that last night! Even for a region prepared for winter storms, school openings were delayed by two hours and the highway from Moose to Moran was closed entirely. You can see the wind pushing the Park sign. towards the south in the photo above. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Barrow’s Golden Eyes: I looked for Bighorns on the National Elk Refuge. They were tucked in tight in the rocks to get out of the wind. These Golden Eyes were rocking and rolling in the waves. Swans were hunkered down on the ice on Flat Creek. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Trees: You might think the trees were shrouded by fog, but actually it was blowing snow. I about got stuck getting this shot on Sagebrush Drive—west of the roundabout. A truck crashed through the roundabout a while back and another vehicle went through one of the directional wooden signs on the south side of it. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Horses: Yesterday, I photographed a couple of Moose on Sagebrush Drive. That’s why I went there today. They weren’t there, but after I rocked and rolled out of the snow, I headed on to Spring Gulch Road. North/South Roads were in good shape, but with the North wind, East/West roads were treacherous. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Log Barn: This barn is protected somewhat by a band of cottonwoods. I took out the No Trespassing sign on the two posts. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Log Cabin: Another of the structures on Spring Gulch Road. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Lone Tree: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Box L Barn: This is a very pretty red barn along Spring Gulch Road. There were times when I couldn’t see the fence, much less the barn. The wind was really gusting when I was there. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Box L Barn: I took a lot of photos of these barns stopping at numerous locations. The goal was to try to capture the rugged look and feel of a Jackson Hole winter day. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Box L Barns: Other the the fact I was out to take photos of the storm, it would have been a good day to stay home! Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bighorn Ram: After this morning’s harsh weather, I went back to the National Elk Refuge. There was a temporary break in the clouds, allowing me to get a few shots. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Mother Moose: A cow Moose often hangs around in my neighborhood during the Winter months. She usually has a calf nearby, but not this year. I suppose she’ll have a newborn in the Spring. I took this shot from the end of my driveway this afternoon. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
February 2nd, 2020 – Super Bowl Sunday!
Moose Cow: Seen west of the Roundabout on Sagebrush Drive. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Moose Calf: I’ve seen these two fairly often lately. The calf is fairly large now and capable of stepping over the deep snow and sagebrush. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bighorns: After a couple of weeks staying on the ridges, a large number of them came back down to the Refuge Road area. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bighorns: They don’t always take the easiest way down! Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bighorn Ram and Lamb: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bighorn Ram: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bighorns on Ledges: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Teton Range: Another view of the Tetons from the National Elk Refuge. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Red Barn: I went down Spring Gulch Road again today…watching for Deer, Elk, Eagles, Owls, Hawks, Foxes and Coyotes, or anything else that might pop up. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
This is the FIRST entry in February’s Daily Journal.
I’ll be adding to it regularly throughout the month…not just today! Please check in daily — or at least a few times each month.
Note: The first few weeks of February should look like the last couple of weeks of January. Click Here to see January 2020.
The winter months can offer up a variety of photographic possibilities. For February, however, it seems that Mother Nature switches gears some. For example, almost all Moose will have lost their antlers and the Mule Deer will begin losing theirs. at a time when those two wildlife subjects seem to dwindle, other species like Porcupines, Coyotes, Foxes, and Wolves can be eve more visible. In some years, Cedar Waxwings and Bohemian Waxwings move through the valley, stopping long enough to dine on berries in and around town. It “can be” a good month for Great Horned Owls and Great Gray Owls, but I think of them ore of as a bonus than a subject you can expect. Bison are often seen in late January and February before moving onto the National Elk Refuge for the Winter. Of course, there are always 7,000 Elk on the refuge, easily accessible via the sleigh rides.
Around the edges, watch for Bald Eagle, Golden Eagles, Ravens, & Magpies feeding on Winter kills and carcasses left by the Wolves. Otters, Ermine, and Badgers do not hibernate, so they can occasionally be seen.
Jackson Hole is known for its rugged, snow covered mountains. The snow brings in skiers and a variety of outdoor enthusiasts. Access to many areas is limited in the Winter, but there are still plenty of opportunities. I especially like the early mornings and late evenings for the long shadows and blue hues on the snow. Low clouds, fog, and hoar frost can add to Winter shots, so watch for them! If you are up early enough, you can often see Alpenglow above the snow capped mountains. Even though it can be cold at night, February can be a good month for stars and moon photos. The sun sets early in the day in February, so you can be home at a reasonable hour.
February 1st, 2020 – Saturday
Morning Grand: I had to wait for the clouds to open enough for a shot of the Grand, and in this case, they mimicked the shape of the Grand. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Red Dog: Bison were still hanging around north of Kelly and eventually crossed the Gros Ventre Road. Notice the orange fur of this late season calf. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Bison on the Move: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Blacktail Butte: I photographed a similar shot last month, but the light was different today. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Trumpeter Swans: Taken along Flat Creek. While many areas seem to be drab in the Winter (especially in the middle of the day) you can still find zones with a considerable amount of color if you are out early and late. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Young Buck: This one still had his antlers, but another one in the same area had already lost his antlers. That time of the year! Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
The Dike: On about any bluebird day, you’ll plenty of locals and visitors taking advantage of the opportunities. There a lot of winter activities in Jackson Hole, such as the cross country tracks on the dike on the east side of the Snake River. The Sled Dog races are in progress around the area, after the start last night. Unfortunately, the February “Cutter Races” have been discontinued. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Snake River: The fly fishermen I talked to today said fishing was good, despite the brisk wind. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Small South Park Barn: I liked the orange willow trees and blue background on this afternoon capture. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Northern Range: Taken from the South Park Road. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Lazy Moose and Late Evening Shadows: Moose are scattered around the valley now, including in and around town. This one was resting in a snow covered meadow in South Park. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Wagon Wheel: This wagon is sitting on the roof at the Super 8 Motel. Keep your eyes open for historic “stuff” and numerous barns and structures outside the Park.It is legal to snow shoe or cross country ski into other historic areas like Mormon Row. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
Cow Elk Portrait: This cow elk was grazing in town this afternoon. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm Lens, Handheld
