Summer Water

Mound Creek Falls usually dries up during the summer leaving only a rock ledge but the recent heavy rains have created the opportunity for some waterfall shots. Exploring the stream as it flows into the lake highlights the brilliant orange lichen on the rocks. 

Prairie Sky

Back to sharing Minnesota images. June is a slow month for wildflowers on the prairie but sky drama makes up for the lack of flowers. 
Technical: Dialing to f16 and looking for a sunburst anchors to the sweeping clouds.

Snake in Mammoth

Bull Snake in Mammoth from Dale Bohlke on Vimeo.

This snake caused quite a stir one afternoon last month as it went through historic Mammoth. The visitor who helped it through traffic was one example of the "good" seen everyday in Yellowstone.

Technical: recorded using a Sony RX10ii

Inspiration Point

The Grand Canyon of the the Yellowstone River is incredible at any time of day but even more so when you are alone at sunrise to witness the clouds and changing light. It is currently closed for maintenance but the canyon will always be there in my mind. 

Technical: Panorama stitching, WB at 7500, and ND tool used in Lightroom.

Round Prairie Bison

This is where I like to start my day and work back to Mammoth. I'll frequently start in near darkness hoping to see moose. As local sun rise nears ground fog increases and there can be incredible mood shots. If a bison will model for me, all the better. Of course if he had been exhaling steam it would have been better. The curse of a photographer, always hoping for better.

Slow Motion Flight

 

There are plenty opportunities for birds in Yellowstone and I could not pass up this chance to film flight in slow motion. I started doing slow motion last summer on my iPhone getting hooked on it. Recorded at 1/8 normal speed using a Sony RX10ii.

Bison crossing Lamar River

 

This was one of those moments, actually several minutes, that will forever be in my mind. It was a "Serengeti" moment in the Yellowstone.  Images of wildebeests crossing flashed as I witnessed this event. I was alone at the river's edge watching this unfold. Another videographer was several yards behind me and there were cars on the road but I was alone with the herd as it crossed, almost in fact and definitely in spirit.

Raven's Nest

Raven Nest from Dale Bohlke on Vimeo.

When you can't find the icons of Yellowstone there are always birds to see and photograph. This nest was conveniently located across from a pull out allowing eye to eye viewing of the nest. A vole was being dissected on the cliff behind us and the chicks were being fed over a couple hours one morning. I watched until one of the adults settled in after the feeding session.

Technical: Tight shots were recorded using a 600 mm lens and 1.4 tele-extender on a Canon 7D with an effective focal length of about 1350 mm. Shots are uncropped.

Near Death in Yellowstone

It's easy to get lost in pretty pictures in Yellowstone and overlook the life these animals are living. This bison stuck in Blacktail Ponds is an example of nature at work. Most visitors moved on when they saw the struggle preferring to see the mythical nature of Yellowstone. Despite dire predictions on my part this young bison survived to face another bison jam.

Yellowstone Transplant

Mountain goats were transplanted into the Yellowstone region 60-70 years ago and now can be seen in the Park. Usually they are seen in the distance but this one was along the road giving photographers a great opportunity to record it.  The downside to its presence is potential food competition with native bighorn sheep.

Two Icons

It is not everyday that two icons of the west come into the same frame. This grizzly bear was wandering down Willow Park and met these bison.  They were not intimidated but clearly alert while the bear showed no interest in them. It's main meat diet now consists of tender elk and bison calves, not tough old bulls.

Technical: still frame from video

Bringing home breakfast

There are lots of hungry mouths to feed at the den this time of year. This red fox was racing along the road to get back to the kits. I watched him carry this squirrel over a mile and he was still heading toward the den when I turned around, not many convenience stores in this part of the world.

Yellowstone Spring

I just returned from two weeks in Yellowstone and am getting used to humid MN air again. The weather in Yellowstone was sunny, cloudy, snowing, and hailing one morning. The wildlife was in its spring glory as were thousands of tourists.There is a mythical and realistic Yellowstone experience which I will share with you over the next several posts. I urge you to read the recent issue of National Geographic magazine. It gives an overview that glosses over the experience of the individual visitor.