wildlife Archives - Page 3 of 38 - Teton Photography Club

November 27, 2021December 28, 2021

Stretching Trumpeter Swans

On about any Winter day, you can usually find between 20 and 40 Trumpeter Swans at the north end of Jackson, WY. Flat Creek winds its way through the National Elk Refuge on its way to the Snake River south of Jackson. After a cold night or cold spell, Flat Creek freezes. Swans hunker down on the ice during the coldest hours, but become active as the morning sun warms the area. It’s during this “waking up” period that you will have a great chance to see and photograph Trumpeter Swans stretching their wings. This page features a full sequence of photos of a beautiful Swan stretching while standing on the frozen creek. You have to be ready! A typical “stretch” lasts only three or four seconds.

When ready, the Trumpeters thrust their chest, then begin a stretching sequence. Continue reading

November 1, 2021December 28, 2021

November 2021 Daily Journal For GTNP & JH

Welcome to November!

Covid-19 Mask Update: The Teton County Commissioners extended the Mask Mandate until the end of 2021. Masks must be worn inside buildings, on public transportation, taxis, and tours.

New Month : New Week : New Moon : New Daily Journal : New Park — November 1st

Well, it’s a new month and a new week. In a couple of days, there will be a new moon. Yep…you are looking at the first entry for the new November Daily Journal. The “New Park” item in the list above takes a bit of artistic or editorial license. Let me explain: Yesterday, we could drive the Moose-Wilson Road along with the middle section of the Teton Park Road. Yesterday, fishermen were still fishing on the National Elk Refuge and hikers and bikers were still using the pathway along it. Yesterday, you could stop at Dornan’s to pick up some snacks or fill the coffee thermos, but the stores and restaurant are closed for the month of November. Only a few days ago, we could drive up and down Mormon Row and we could drive down to Schwabacher Landing. But, all of those areas are now padlocked. In a few days, there will be hunters, outfitted in orange, driving up and down roads hoping to nail an elk. Those are only a few of the recent and upcoming changes in Grand Teton National Park. Continue reading

October 25, 2021December 28, 2021

Hoback – Stellar Moose of the Tetons

The Continuing Saga of Hoback and Shoshone

In the Tetons, two bull moose seem to get all of the attention: Hoback and Shoshone. There are several other majestic bulls, but over the past couple of years, the dynamic duo are both stunningly large and relatively “dependable”. There are times, especially early and late in the season, when you might see them together! Over a period of three or four years of photographing them, I can suggest they enjoy each other’s company. That is, of course, except during the heat of the annual rut. Grand Teton National Park spans roughly 310,000 acres, so it might be short sighted for me to say these two are “the biggest” bulls. Still, they are the biggest bulls I know of right now. Could there be a “monster” out there somewhere? Another bull, Fremont, is equally impressive, but he doesn’t make an appearance until after the rut. Cheyenne and Bondourant area two additional contenders. Continue reading

October 1, 2021December 28, 2021

October 2021 Daily Journal For GTNP & JH

Welcome to October!

Covid-19 Mask Update: The Teton County Commissioners extended the Mask Mandate until the end of 2021. Masks must be worn inside buildings, on public transportation, taxis, and tours.”

Three quarters of 2021 is in our rear view mirror, leaving us with three of the more interesting months. Foliage season, like the current moon, is waning, but it is not over! As the month begins, there are still plenty of brightly colored leaves around the valley. In many areas, the foliage season came four or five days earlier than “normal”. That’s my unscientific take after living here for 35 years. The Moose and Elk are in their rut, along with Deer and Pronghorns. The rut for the Bison is essentially over, but you might still find a bull interested in a late season cow. Grizzlies traditionally are more visible during October. Black Bears will polish off the berries along the valley floor and head back up the hillsides soon. As the leaves drop from the trees, Owls may become more visible. Worth watching!

Tag: wildlife