Welcome to December 2022!
Sorry, I can’t be there to add new photos to this page, but hopefully I can still help! Check out these December photos from previous years!
Moose are usually visible in the sage flats north of Kelly. The rut is long over, but the big bulls still spar. At least for the first 10 days or so, be aware that the elk hunt is still ongoing inside GTNP. The bulls will start losing their antlers around the middle of the month but it is possible to find a couple with antlers into January.
Bison often go back and forth from the sage flats to the Gros Ventre River bottom. As the winter season kicks in, the herds will move onto the northern end of the National Elk Refuge.
Trumpeter Swans can often be seen on Flat Creek along the Highway. Also watch for smaller waterfowl like Hooded Mergansers, Common Mergansers, and Barrow’s Golden Eyes.
Elk may be spotted at times, but will be quite spooky. Many will be on the National Elk Refuge as the month progresses. Elk Refuge sleigh rides begin around the middle of the month and should be in full swing as Christmas approaches.
Great Horned Owls are usually easier to spot during the winter months. They are seen most often in the river bottoms. Great Gray Owls are often still in the valley, but are typically difficult to find.
Small critters like this Ermine are elusive, but can be a worthy subject.
Bighorns move to Miller Butte this time of the year, and if you are lucky, you might find a few bashing heads as part of the rut.
Foxes can be more visible in December, and with their winter coat, look great.
Mountain Goats were historically good in December, but it appears they have either left the Snake River Canyon or have been mostly culled by the Game and Fish. Still, a few seem to have made it.
Watch for any kind of movement! Sometimes you just get LUCKY to be in the right place at the right time.
This photo was taken on December 29, 2020. I believe a few of the Grizzlies are still out.
Winter Landscapes can be a challenge, especially knowing it can be bitter cold at first light.
River Otters can be seen along the Flat Creek if you hit it just right.
Antelope Flats Road will still be open for vehicle travel until at least the day after the elk hunt closing date.
Coyotes stand out against the snow. Many will be spooky, but occasionally you might find one that will pose for you.
The Jackson Town Square is always a festive place during the Holiday season. The lights are on now.
If you are up to the challenge, night shots can be rewarding. Since the days are very short, you can get night shots and be back home at a reasonable hour.
To get “the shots”, you simply “have to be out”, be ready and sometimes be very lucky!
Mule Deer often work their way towards Kelly in December. Some will lose their antlers early in the month.
Thanks to Paul Gore!
Friend and photographer, Paul Gore, sent a check to help keep Best of the Tetons online at least until the end of December. This site has a wealth of information for anyone interested in the Tetons! After moving to Colorado, I started a new site and have been actively populating it with new photos and content, some of which overlaps with content I might have posted here (Moose, Elk, Bighorns, Deer, fall Foliage, Waterfowl, etc). In short, I am dedicating the bulk of my time on that site at the expense of this site.
Click the thumbnail above to go to the new Home Page! Be sure to click the Subscribe Today button on the home page!
Check out some of the posts from the new site:
Hope to see you at my new site!
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December 2022 Daily Journal For GTNP & JH first appeared on
Best of the Tetons, Area Info & Photography.
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