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Steller’s Jay: Taken in my back yard this morning. At least two of them are in the area right now. They spend most of their time in the conifer forests, so it is a real treat to see some here in town. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
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 Spring! MJ
Blue Jay: A few of these interesting birds are still around. I can usually tell if they are around because of their distinctive calls. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Blue Jay: I saw a couple of Steller’s Jays, but they weren’t close enough. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Blue Jay: This Blue Jay was mostly interested in peanuts. Most grocery stores sell them. I usually buy mine at the local Dollar Tree store. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
I haven’t heard any of major changes or additions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Watch for a new April 2020 Daily Journal tomorrow!
“Lucy Has a Split Personality”
Once a month or so, I try to add a new project at Teton Textures. This one is fairly involved with lots of layers and effects. At the end of the project, I included a “How-To” for adding a Stroke to a Path. Check it out! These projects give me a reason to stay home and out of trouble! MJ
New Feature Post: Sigma Sport 60-600mm : Tamron 150-600mm G2 : Nikon 200-500mm Lenses This post could have been written a couple of months ago, but I just got around to making it! If you have been paying attention to the attributes under each photo since late November, you probably noticed the Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens being used almost exclusively for both wildlife and landscapes. In this new post, I identify a few pros and cons of the three lenses.
Black-capped Chickadee: I didn’t leave the house today, especially after taking so many photos yesterday. Chickadees and Juncos are common now. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Mallard Duck: Mr. and Mrs. Mallard waddled up again today. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Mousing Coyote: I did a quick run today, finding this Coyote mousing along Spring Gulch Road. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Bull Moose: The animals in the area go about their business with no concern for the pandemic sweeping the world. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mountain Goat: Traffic was light in the Snake River Canyon. Chalk that up to being Sunday and the virus slow down. I saw a lot of fishermen all along the highway. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mountain Goat: This Nanny posed numerous times for me this morning. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Mountain Goat: I took a lot of photos today! Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mountain Goat Nanny and Kid: I had been waiting for a Billy to stand up when this Nanny and Kid moved to the edge of the cliffs. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Steller’s Jay: When I made it home, I went to my back yard to fill the bird feeders. I spotted a Blue Jay, so I put out a few peanuts and set up my tripod and camera. As it turned out, there were three Blue Jays and two Steller’s Jays. Both are welcomed subjects! Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Steller’s Jay: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Steller’s Jay: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Blue Jay: I had one or two of these birds last year, but they haven’t been in the area for any of the prior years. A friend in Montana let me know they had a lot of them last fall. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Blue Jay: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
“It exempts people experiencing homelessness, as well as victims of domestic violence who may be seeking safe haven somewhere besides their home. The decree also allows people to leave for certain things like going to the grocery store, seeking medical care and supplies, and recreating outdoors with six feet of distance between themselves and others.” Click the link to view the entire article.
Bighorn Ram: The National Elk Refuge is still open so I drove there this morning. I only saw a couple of rams but I saw roughly 30 ewes and lambs. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
There were a dozen or so Bluebirds at the Refuge. They are moving into the area in numbers.
Bighorn Ewe: The south facing slopes of Miller Butte are clear, but the valley floor still has snow. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Trumpeter Swans: This group of swans were in the pond north of the Visitor’s Center. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Trumpeter Swan: The group eventually took off, flying directly in front of me. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Trumpeter Swan: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Belted Kingfisher: This elusive bird was moving around on the buck rail fences near the pond. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Red Squirrel: Back at home, I had a lot of activity. Several Red Squirrels have been chattering and chasing each other. Yesterday, I saw Macey chasing a Mink down the creek behind my house. A Chipmonk or two have also been spotted, along with a small pocket gopher. So far, I haven’t seen any Marmots. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Oregon Junco and Black-eyed Junco: You can click on this image to see it much large. I wanted to create an image comparing them side by side. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Mallard Hen: “Mr. and Mrs. Mallard” have been regular visitors to my yard for six or seven years. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Black-billed Magpie: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Mountain Goat: I found a few Mountain Goats in the Snake River Canyon this morning. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mountain Goat: It was -10°F early this morning after a clear night. By the time I made it down the Canyon, the temperature was tolerable. This Mountain Goat has a broken horn. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Other than the changes on the national level, there wasn’t a lot of local news or closures that I heard of today.
Jackson Peak: Afternoon photo showing the valley’s south mountain. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Coyote: Captured along Spring Gulch Road. I’ve been watching for Owls on the road, but haven’t seen them this year. The Great Horned Owls are probably on their nests now. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mousing Coyote: In the air!…he didn’t come up with a mouse, however. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mule Deer: Also captured along Spring Gulch Road. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mule Deer: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Sleeping Indian: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Black-billed Magpie: I spent more time in front of the computer today than out trying to capture the back yard birds. I saw my first Chipmunk of the year today. I would expect to see a few Uinta Ground Squirrels and even a Marmot or two in the next couple of weeks. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
American Tree Sparrow: There are probably a dozen of these birds in my back yard right now. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Feeding Moose: I might not be able to use the park for a while, but I can still find subjects! This Moose was grazing across the street from our home. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Moose Cow: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mountain Goat: I found six or seven Mountain Goats in the Snake River Canyon. They were fairly far away, but I managed to get two or three worthwhile shots. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Immature Bald Eagle: This raptor was sitting in a tree about half a mile from the Mountain Goats. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Black-billed Magpie: Back at home, I caught a few of the visiting birds. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Oregon Junco: This species has a much more pronounced cape. The seem to stay back more than the Dark-eyed Juncos. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Spotted Towhee: Another shot of this less common bird. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
“NPS: Effective immediately, Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks are closed to all park visitors until further notice. There will be no visitor access permitted to either park. State highways and/or roads that transcend park/state boundaries and facilities that support life safety and commerce will remain open. Both parks will cooperate on the implementation of the closures.”
What does that mean for me?…and you? I will not be able to drive into GTNP for new photos until the park is reopened. One month? All summer? The rest of the year? Who knows! For now, I can still drive around in the county, but there may be a time when we get a “stay home” order like many other large cities and some entire states. I hope people will still visit Best of the Tetons regularly as I will be adding photos of subjects I can still get to, and with photos from previous years.
Back in 2013, the US Government shut down. I created this page on my site with alternative places that people might go during the shut down. I don’t know how long it will be before Teton County or Wyoming initiates a “stay home” command, but until then, this page might give you a few options. Note…some of the spots will be inaccessible until the snow melts and some of the roads are open again. Click the link below.
Downey Woodpecker: This felt like a good day to stay home and photograph some of the birds coming to my back yard. This female was milling around looking for suet. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
House Finch: One of my current birds with a “little” bit of color. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
House Finch: I managed to be able to include a little color in this photo. This female House Finch came in with the male. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
White-breasted Nuthatch: I almost always hear these little birds long before I see them. They sound somewhat like a kid’s squeak toy. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Spotted Towhee: I’ve seen these birds a few times over the years, but they are not easy to photograph. They skitter back into heavy cover after any kind of warning chirps or fast motion. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
American Tree Sparrow: There a lots of species of Sparrows…I compared this one to my books and online and original identified it as a Song Sparrow, but John Gerlach correctly identified it. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Downey Woodpecker: This female returned this afternoon. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Southern Range: I took this long distance photo from the East Boundary Road near the Kelly Warm Springs, aiming West/SW. The Tetons were covered with clouds. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Cow and Calf: This morning, I saw at least a dozen Moose on my drive to Kelly. This pair was in some dense clutter originally, but crossed the Gros Ventre and then into a nice, open backdrop. This would have been a better shot if the clouds weren’t blocking the morning sun. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Other Wildlife: I saw a few Coyotes and a few Sage Grouse this morning, but not in good locations for photos. The snow pack is dropping quickly now, so I would expect to see a few herds beginning to move around.
At least for now, it is possible to get out for a while, take a few shots and get back home without any contact with strangers.
Spotted Towhee: I saw this bird from my back window, then spent a while hoping he’d come back when I was behind my camera. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Black-billed Magpie: The adaptable birds are always looking for a meal. They like suet and peanuts, but have no interest in sunflower seeds. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Dark-eyed Junco: I finally got a shot of one of these little ground feeders. I’ve also seen Oregon Juncos, but in shooting range. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Gros Ventre Night Sky: A few days ago I mentioned Sigma replaced my Sigma 24mm F/1.4 Art Lens. The sky was clear in the sough end of the valley late in the day, so I went out for check it out. The bright area of the photo is from the lights in the Town of Jackson. This was taken from the big pullout along the Gros Ventre. The Tetons were covered with clouds so I didn’t need to go any farther north. Nikon D850 and Sigma 24mm Art Lens, Tripod.
Gros Ventre Night Sky: My Nikon D5 is at the service center in Los Angeles. That’s my preferred body for night photography, but the entire state of California is under “stay home” orders. I doubt I will see it for several months. Nikon D850 and Sigma 24mm Art Lens, Tripod.
Elk Antler Arch: There wasn’t a single car or truck parked around the Town Square tonight. Besides the fact it’s Sunday, the town has few tourists walking the streets. All restaurants are closed except the ones with either drive-thru or take-out. The Cowboy Bar sign is dark. Nikon D850 and Sigma 24mm Art Lens, Tripod.
Mountain Goat: I went down the Snake River Canyon. I found a few Mountain Goats, but they were higher on the mountain than some days. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mountain Goat Nanny and Kid: I took all of my shots out my truck window using the zoom lens set to 600mm. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mountain Goat: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mountain Goat: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Willow Snacks: A friend called to let me know a Moose was in the neighborhood. I was eating golden willow branches. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Grizzly Tracks: Word got out that “Brutus” was seen today. I saw only his tracks. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Dead Standing Lodgepole Pines: Taken on the Rockefeller Parkway. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Rockefeller Parkway: Nice cloud over Jackson Lake. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mormon Row: This stitched pano was taken from Antelope Flats Road. It is plowed all the way to the asphalt, but is still gated. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Murphy Barn and Homestead: Another stitched pano. This one only took two shots at 600mm. If you walk to the barns, I’d suggest snow shoes if you plan on getting into the snow. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Bull Moose: I took this from the Gros Ventre Bridge along the highway. It looked like he might cross the river, but after feeding for a while, he plopped down into the snow for a rest. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mountain Goat: It’s pretty easy to exercise “social distancing” in NW Wyoming…just go to where the animals are and the people aren’t! I drove down the Snake River Canyon for photos of the Mountain Goats. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mountain Goat: The snow pack is noticeably less near the mouth of the Canyon since I was there last. Some areas of the south facing slopes have melted completely. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mountain Goat: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mountain Goat: There were around a dozen Goats down close to the road when I got there. They were just beginning to head back up hill, which was perfect. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mountain Goat: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mountain Goat: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
I stopped at the Market on my way back home. The shelves for bread, toilet paper, paper towels, and disinfectant lotion were all bare.
Back Yard Birding: Yesterday, Corey helped me rotate my “grill gazebo” to face some of my feeders and tree stumps. Later today, I will be wrapping the gazebo and setting it up for this year’s migrating birds. If you are forced to stay close to home during the virus pandemic, consider setting up a blind in your back yard! Below are some previous Feature Posts on the subject.
Last year, I bought a Sigma 24mm F/1.4 Art Lens for my night photography. It did a pretty good job, but was always sharper on the right side than the left. Before we left for our Spring Break to Cancun, I sent it to Sigma to let them correct the issue. Yesterday, UPS delivered a brand new lens to replace the earlier one. I also sent my Nikon D5 into their service center to have the shutter replaced. To bring my D5 up to factory standards, it cost $600.95. Hopefully, it will be back soon. Just before I sent it in, I checked and the D5 had over 890,000 actuations. The shutter was replaced once at around 500,000 actuations.
Snow King: I have been going through folders of images. I processed this one from last October, taken along Flat Creek here in town. It will be mid-August before many them will have substantial antler growth. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Bird Blind: I spent a couple of hours setting up my bird blind today. The core is a Grill Gazebo we bought on sale one of the home centers. The front panel (on the left) is a wrapped frame with a hinge at the top two corners. The panel is fastened to the metal posts with a C-Clamp. It allows me to adjust the height if need. The front panel tilts out to allow for the splay of the tripods.
Wrapped Bird Blind: I bought some camo tarps at K-Mart a few years ago. I wrap it around all four sides, along with some camo netting wrapped on three sides. The netting lets me see incoming birds but hide my presence. The blind keeps me dry on rainy and snow days.
Bird Blind: The back side has a soft door, made from a packing blanket I bought at Harbor Freight. It is soft and relatively heavy and doesn’t make noise when I go in and out. When I set up my first bird blind, I didn’t have a panel on the back side initially. However, if you were to look into the blind without a back side covering, it was much easier to see a photographer inside. I usually wear a dark jacket or shirt for the same reason. 
You can also buy a blind like this or under $50. Click Gear Guide for more info, or search “bird blind”.
Spring Break in Cancun, Mexico
Normally, when I create a new “Feature Post”, all subscribers get an email letting them know about the new post. Since this new entry isn’t really about photography and travel in Jackson Hole, I opted to make a Page. Pages don’t get sent as emails. With that said, I think any reader here would enjoy the photos on the new page. Click either photo or the link to view it!
Sleeping Indian: An opening in the afternoon clouds let the sun light Sleeping Indian. I took this photo from Spring Gulch Road. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Red-tailed Hawk: I took this shot along Spring Gulch Road, too. I’ve seen several Red Tails lately. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Canada Goose: Most geese leave the Valley during the winter months. They are beginning to return in good numbers. I took this photo late in the evening at the Kelly Warm Springs. I was hoping to see a few Sage Grouse in the area. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Cow Moose: Not a great shot, but I stopped just to get a shot of something with fur. This cow and her calf have been seen regularly near the highway, south of the Gros Ventre River. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Obviously, the world is going through a tough period. We are beginning the second half of March with a lot of changes, listed below. As of today, we are still able to drive into GTNP.
Currently, I don’t have any tours booked until May, so I have a bit of a cushion. Knowing the tours help me pay for keeping this site active, I might have to limit my drives into the park. You might see me posting more back yard bird photos this year.
Flying into Jackson Hole might be an issue. Visitors driving to Jackson Hole and into the Park may find it relatively deserted. There will be no large tour buses for a while. Services and visitor’s centers will likely be closed. If people are looking for places to go to get away from the crowds, this area might be a good option. It has wide open spaces and an abundance of fresh, clean air.
CDC website
CDC Informational Videos
CDC Factsheets and Print Materials
World Health Organization (WHO)
U.S. State Department
Please keep this site in your “radar” as you spend more time at home. I’ll continue to add photos, comments, and updates. I have numerous ideas for new Feature Posts. If you have specific topic requests, please let me know!
Bighorn Ewe: I did a quick run to the National Elk Refuge where I saw this ewe standing over a rock face. There were a lot of elk fairly close to the road and a winter kill west of the Miller House. It was covered with Magpies and Ravens, along with a few Eagles. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Birds: I’ve been seeing a few Red-tailed Hawks in the valley again, along with my first American Kestrel of the year. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
South Park Barn: I made a quick loop south of town looking for Great Horned and Great Gray Owls, along with Foxes and Ermine. I’ve also been watching for a Belted Kingfisher in the area. Low clouds and patchy light kept me interested in some of the barns down there. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
South Park Barn: I’ve been liking the flexibility and range of my Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens as seen in the two photos above. I can stand in one spot and get a variety of captures. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
South Park Barn: I had to wait a while for the light to bathe this barn and rolls of hay but liked the way it worked out. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
South Park Horse: This rusty orange horse was grazing near the barn above. I might have left home earlier today, but had to run the snow blower to get out of the driveway. That can take 30 minutes to an hour if there is a big bank behind my truck. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Coronavirus Follow Up: Hopefully, I didn’t bum you out with my virus report today! We are all having to face our new reality and then try to figure how to adjust to what we have available! Stay Safe – Stay Healthy! MJ
Pinwheel: Overnight, we had a new layer of heavy snow. The snow settled on the blades of this decorative windmill in my back yard. I used a Cube to light it over a 2 second exposure early this morning. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Lume Cube and Snoot: This photo shows one of the first generation Lume Cube with the metal housing and one of the newer generation “snoot. The snoot concentrates the light, keeping it from spraying in all directions. The snoot should snap to the magnets on the metal housing, but for some reason, the polarity of the magnets are not matched up. I had to use a couple of strips of gaffer’s tape to hold it on. This standard snoot works fine, but I also have an extension for the snoot made out of white plastic PVC, painted black. The Lume Cubes have 10 variations of intensity, making it a fairly good option for close-up light painting.
Snow Banks: We had big snowfall on Saturday, but the town snowplows didn’t run. Last night we had an addition six inches. When the plows came through this morning, they piled a double load of heavy, clumpy snow in every driveway. It took me a long time to knock it down. This kind of snow paralyzes the valley for several hours. iPhone 11.
In case you missed it, check out this post from last February. Our Move to Wyoming: A Tongue-in-Cheek Diary
Shane Cabin: I stood on my truck’s tailgate to take this photo. It would take snow shoes to get much closer. The new snow covered much of the sagebrush again. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Hansen Barn: On the way home, I drove down Spring Gulch Road and stopped for a few shots of this beautiful old barn. Over a period of about 15 minutes, the weather changed several times. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Hansen Barn: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Hansen Barn:Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
I just uploaded a new composite image on my Teton Textures web site. To see it and a some information on how I created it, CLICK HERE!
Black-capped Chickadee: Wow! Following last night’s snow (still snowing), Mother Nature transformed the valley again. I tried moving my “grill gazebo” to a better spot in my back yard, but it is still frozen to the ground. I use the grill gazebo as my bird blind during the winter and spring. Yesterday, I was pretty sure I saw a few Juncos and today I am positive I saw a couple. They are some of the first yearly birds to migrate back to the valley, especially to my back yard. Juncos are ground feeders, so they are not that easy to photograph. Robins, Bluebirds, and Red-winged Blackbirds are also in the list of returning birds. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Bighorn Ewe: I did a quick run out to the National Elk Refuge after lunch. Thankfully, they had just plowed the roads. I found around 30 Bighorns but none of them were the bigger rams. So far, it looks like we received around 9 inches of new snow here in town. The weather reports call for 50% to 80% chances of snow through the rest of the day and through the night. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
BackBlaze Update: I have been uploading my files to a remote server called BackBlaze. As of this afternoon, it still has 396,000 files in the queue to upload. It may still take another month! After that point, it will constantly mirror two of my local drives to their off premise storage. Considering I started with 2,300,000 files (26TB), I can feel fairly good about being down to 386,000 files.
Moose along Gros Ventre: I saw half dozen Moose this morning on my drive from town to the Kelly Warm Springs. This cow was grazing along the Gros Ventre river. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Bull Moose: This bull was feeding on the small branches of a cottonwood near the Kelly Warm Springs. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Bull Moose: Much of the snow has melted off of this hillside, revealing some of the Bitter Brush. Sage Grouse were also in the area but too far out for me today. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Antelope Flats Road: I guess this is good news! I am not sure when they will open the gates. Snow is in the forecast for much of the rest of the week. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Jackson Hole Notes: My wife saw a video clip showing a black bear moving across the ski slopes at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (Teton Village). I haven’t heard of any grizzly sightings in GTNP yet.
Black-capped Chickadee: A late evening visitor to my back yard. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Mountain Chickadee: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Steller’s Jay: Over the years I have been taking photos in my back yard, I’ve only had three or four Steller’s Jays. They are a welcomed sight! Hopefully, it will hang around and I can get a few good photos. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Tripod.
Snake River Overlook Pano: (Click this image to view it much larger) I’ll include a few extra photos from today, trying to catch up a bit after being out of town for a week. The full moon was still a little high at alpenglow, but it was nice to include in this shot. I took it with a Nikon D850 in vertical orientation with five captures, later stitched in Lightroom. Nikon D850 and Nikon 24-70mm lens, Tripod.
Snake River Overlook Pano: (Click this image to view it much larger) I framed this one to show off the alpenglow and disregarded the moon. Nikon D850 and Nikon 24-70mm lens, Tripod.
Grand and Moon: By the time the moon neared the Grand, most of the beautiful color was gone. I processed this is black and white in Lightroom. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Oxbow Bend: We’ve lost a lot of snow in the southern portion of the Park, but there is a lot of snow still on the ground in the north. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Oxbow Bend: As you can see, most of the “bend” is frozen over, along with Jackson Lake. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Coyote and Magpie: The coyote was digging for food at Oxbow Bend. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Golden Eagle: Also seen flying around at Oxbow Bend. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Moose and the Snake River: I haven’t seen a lot of Moose in the Willow Flats area in the past few years. This one was feeding near the Snake River. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mountain Bluebird: This is a “record shot” showing a male Bluebird. I saw two of them in the marshy area along the Moose-Wilson Road. I didn’t see any when I went south to Alpine yesterday, but it shouldn’t long before we start seeing them in numbers in Jackson Hole. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Red Fox: This Red Fox crossed in front of me, then headed deep into the trees. I only got a couple of shots. I hung around for a while but never saw it again. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Trumpeter Swan: One of eight Trumpeters seen at the pond north of the Visitors Center. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Trumpeter Swan: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mountain Goats: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
I took the “gamble” and drove down the Snake River Canyon in search of Mountain Goats. I found three, but it really only takes one if it is in the right zone. This nanny and kid gave me quite a few photo opportunities. The other one was resting atop a ledge.
Mountain Goat: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mountain Goat: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Mountain Goat: Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
Nanny and Kid: This nanny is still fairly clean, even though the melting hillside is quite muddy. The youngster is much more dirty. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens, Handheld.
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.
Red-winged Blackbird: When I stepped out of the house yesterday, I heard a few Robins chirping. I drove around today and heard the distinctive call of a few Red-winged Blackbirds in the marshy areas south of town. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens.
“No cigar”: I drove around some this afternoon and spotted a few potential subjects. Three moose were in the river bottom along the Gros Ventre, but too far out. I saw another fox and another coyote near Kelly, but too far out. There were at least two eagles on posts along Spring Gulch Road, but also too far out and only on fence posts. I was ready to take a photo of a kingfisher at a reasonable distance, but it flew just as I lifted my camera. Mule Deer were on a few hillsides, but none of them were interesting. We had a few snow flurries today, but the clouds kept the Tetons covered. I am sure I could have found a few subjects, but nothing was jumping off the page. Close, but no cigar!
Red Fox: Seen north of Kelly. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens.
Darla and I spent a week in the sun in Cancun Mexico. Sorry for the lapse in entries, but I didn’t have a good way to post from down there. I DID take a lot of photos.
Sage Grouse: This is the time to begin seeing some of the males strutting their stuff. I didn’t see it today, however. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens.
Coyote: Seen along the Gros Ventre Road. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens.
Elk Herd: Captured on the National Elk Refuge. Nikon D850 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens.
Koi: As I get time, I will be making a “page” of shots from Mexico. I saw a lot of subjects we don’t see here, like these Koi packed tightly when there was food. Nikon D500 and Tamron 18-400mm lens.
Each year, Darla and I try to take a week or so and go somewhere warm. This year, we will be in Cancun for a week or so. Hopefully, you’ll be able to use the information from the initial entry and the last few weeks of February’s Daily Journal for general info on the first of March.
Daily Updates Archives: March 2019: March 2018: | March 2017: | March 2016: | March 2015: | March 2014:
Sleeping Indian:
Winter landscapes are often wonderful if you are out early or late on cold March days. There can be new Winter storms on any day, but usually the bitter cold arctic blasts are behind us.
Winter Bison:
March usually offers up a few surprises like these frosted Bison at the Kelly Warm Springs. Swans often take advantage of the warm water, along with Mergansers, Geese and a variety of Ducks.
Steamy Bison:
Coyote:
Wildlife can elude some people on some days, but the search will always be part of the fun. Coyotes and Foxes are usually pairing up on early March. Bald Eagles may be seen adding sticks to their nests. Ermine, Badgers, River Otters, and Porcupines are additional Winter prizes. Take the sleigh ride on the National Elk Refuge for an almost guaranteed chance to see wildlife. Wolves are being seen on the Refuge this year. As I write this, at least one Grizzly has been seen in Yellowstone, but they are not commonly seen in GTNP until April. Mountain Bluebirds are usually some of the first colorful birds to reenter the area.
Snake River Overlook:
Many areas of the Park, especially the northern sections, are snow covered. Only the very tops of the sagebrush will be visible in the southern portion of the valley. Much of the river bottom along the Snake River will remain closed until April 1st.
Great Gray Owl:
It seems we begin seeing a few Great Gray Owls in March (some years anyway). Great Horned Owls winter in Jackson Hole, too. Sage Grouse are often visible in March and hopefully some will be “displaying” by the middle of March. Red-tailed Hawks often begin returning to the area in March. Golden and Bald Eagles are often seen in March.
The Grand:
If you are trying to “catch the color”, be at your location by 6:45 am. Then subtract a couple of minutes each day as the month progresses.
Coyote:
I’ll be back by March 8 and will resume the daily updates. For now, check out the previous years:
Daily Updates Archives: March 2019: March 2018: | March 2017: | March 2016: | March 2015: | March 2014:
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
Click the image above to view a short video about Bluebird clear days.
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
Macey turned one year old today! She is 67 pounds of fur and solid muscle.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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