American Bison are often the most dependable photographic subject in Grand Teton National Park—roaming the open sage flats and grasslands in the Jackson Hole valley. Unlike Elk, Deer, and Moose that usually duck back into the forests just after sunrise, Bison and Pronghorns remain visible throughout the day. Of course, that doesn’t mean they are always close to the roads. It is also worth noting that Bison are seldom in the same area one day to the next, typical of a grazing prairie mammals.
Bison bulls can weigh up to a ton! Females can weigh in at about half that, or up to 1.100 pounds. I read some documents suggesting they can run 40 miles per hour and can jump six feet in height, making them one of the most dangerous animals in the Park. Tourists are often seen behind the “safety” of the short fences along the highway at Elk Ranch Flats, but they can easily jump any fence I know of in GTNP. If they don’t feel like jumping a fence, they just go through it!
Continue reading "American Bison in Grand Teton National Park"
Quick Foliage Overview: I am still seeing a mixed bag of conditions. In some areas, it’s over. It’s prime in others like Oxbow Bend, and there are green trees in quite a few places. In other words, Foliage Season is far from over. Across the board, colors haven’t been as vivid this year as in some of the previous years. The photo above was taken yesterday with dark, moody skies. Nikon D850 and Nikon 24-70mm lens, Handheld. Continue reading "October 2018 Daily Journal for GTNP & JH" 
There are 52 weeks in a year. Of the 52, only one of them offers a chance to see bull Moose stripping their velvet. Most photographers like capturing the event, while some, like my wife, shy away from seeing the bloody velvet hanging from their red antlers. Photographing a bull Moose stripping its velvet is actually a tough assignment for a variety of reasons. First, it isn’t that easy to find a bull Moose in a 310,000 park. Second, and more importantly, it’s not easy to find one at the exact moment. A bull can strip the bulk of its velvet in 15 to 30 minutes, but will often have a tassel hanging from the base of the antlers for a while longer. 