I was archiving my photos from the trip and I just happened to stitch this panorama together. This is the view from the end of the National Elk Refuge at sunset. You can view the road out, Miller Butte, and the Teton Range. Just beautiful. Click for a larger view.

(Anyone recommend a good panorama print center?)

The last day was a fantastic one, but I sure wasn’t gonna head home without squeezing out every last moment of our trip. Soon after we got back to the hotel from our last day in Yellowstone we slept for a few hours and drove back to Jackson Hole, WY at 1am (that’s leaving Gardiner at 1am.) Arriving around 8am we bought breakfast and started our same old routine looking for wildlife. Checking all the places we saw animals last. It was quiet heading up to Kelly, but then we saw what we finally wanted to see and in such a fashion!

A big bull moose up close! We pulled up just past Kelly Warm Springs and there were three moose right in the middle of the road. They had been hanging off the road for so long and we were just dying for a photograph of them! Through out the trip they were constantly back lit or just laying low. Finally our chance! The light of course was low and overcast, but we worked with it. The main bull you see here wasn’t sticking around for long. He seems quite experienced and instantly knew better then to hang around with humans. I’ll tell you one thing. You don’t realize how big a moose is until he walks on a flat uncovered surface and is only several feet from you.

You can see how truly overcast it was. The Teton Range was completely hidden and barely seen. Now to the actual subject for this image. This was one of the younger bulls. The two of them took turns rubbing their antlers against the warning sticks at the edge of road. Oh the humor that ensued. Wished you were there.

We must have driven by them as we headed in the direction of the moose as we never saw as much as a glimpse of them. It was really cold in the morning so the hoar frost stuck around as an awesome accent to the photograph. Trying to compose the shot was really difficult. The herd was spread out and I really wanted a prominent male in the shot. Yet the females were the ones looking. Lets just say there are several versions in my files :-)

As this trip came to an end it only encouraged me to go back for more. I have been to this area a total of three times and each experience was unique. No matter how often I have traveled the region I was never disappointed and there is a wonderful flair about the locales.  I hope you all have enjoyed my images and I have inspired you to head to and capture great images in our most wild of places.

*On a side note I am contemplating writing up an e-book travel guide to Jackson Hole, WY and Gardiner, MT chock full of tips, guides, photos, places to eat and how to approach. Not sure if there is interest, but if there is I will definitely work hard on it. Maybe a travel guide series over time who knows. All the best.*

*Always willing to make/sell prints for any interested*

The day began early in the morning heading to the National Elk Refuge. Nothing to be seen at first until we turned the corner at the end of Miller Butte. Bison grazing! Glad to see they are making their way closer. Who knows what will hold for them in the coming days. After rushing out of there to chase day light we went looking along Gros Ventre road again. The clouds were breaking and making for some awe inspiring landscapes. Along the way we saw our good friend and last years naturalist/biologist tour guide, Paul. He is a great guy that was out there scanning the mountains for any wildlife. It was great to catch up and we hope to see him in the coming days. Landscapes were definitely the theme as the day closed out just north of Teton Village. Granite Canyon trail was there along the Moose-Wilson road. Talk about fresh powder!

Speaking of fresh powder. We rented some now shoes and are headed out to Moose in search of some wildlife and a back country take on Wyoming. Can’t wait!

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Just grazing along minding their own business. There are lots of ranches out here in Wyoming. Those buildings are part of one right on the edge of the refuge.

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Reminds me of several kinds of African  tree species. The texture of the tree begged for a black and white twist.

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This young bull elk was hanging out here for hours on end. This was the second time in the day we saw him. First time around only his neck and head were above the water. Must have been warmer below then the air above.

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The clouds broke and the film gods awoke. (B&W’s done in Silver efex Pro)

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These aspens lined the Granite Canyon hiking trail. The sky blue gives the image just that punch of extra color.

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The view from the trail head.

By the way this post was a bit shorter as I don’t appreciate wordpress magically deleting my drafts late at night. Sleep well all.

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