Spring in Yellowstone Report: May 1-5, 2023
This week’s photography workshop was a shorter three day trip, but still got to see a variety of wildlife throughout the week.
Our first great sighting was this lone coyote, sometimes known as “Limpy” for his limp retained for years after being hit by a vehicle in Lamar Valley.
ISO 400 - f/8 - 1/800th (Canon R5 & 400mm f/2.8L IS II + 2x extender)We had an extended period of time to photograph him from a variety of angles, both close and far.
ISO 400 - f/8 - 1/800th (Canon R5 & 400mm f/2.8L IS II + 2x extender)This is a shot I’ve been looking to get for years, a bison in front of the colorful terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs. There’s still room for improvement though, so I’ll continue looking.
ISO 100 - f/2.8 - 1/2,500th (Canon R5 & 400mm f/2.8L IS II)Also in front of the terraces, we found this hawk.
ISO 100 - f/5.6 - 1/800th (Canon R5 & 400mm f/2.8L IS II + 2x extender)Sandhill cranes were just about everywhere we went in the park this week.
ISO 200 - f/8 - 1/400th (Canon R5 & 400mm f/2.8L IS II + 2x extender)Our first grizzly was this young one strolling down the Lamar River. He eventually found a place to cross the river and the road, going out of sight.
ISO 200 - f/5.6 - 1/400th (Canon R5 & 400mm f/2.8L IS II + 2x extender)I was able to get a bit of video for one of his river crossings.
More and more baby bison were showing up daily. They’ll continue to give birth throughout the month of May.
ISO 800 - f/8 - 1/400th (Canon R5 & 400mm f/2.8L IS II + 2x extender)Each afternoon we were able to see these two coyotes hunting successfully in a field along the Madison River. Snow remained on the ground even here in the lower elevations.
ISO 200 - f/8 - 1/800th (Canon R5 & 400mm f/2.8L IS II + 2x extender)Bison are still crossing the creeks and rivers, even as their flows start to increase with snowmelt from all elevations.
ISO 100 - f/5.6 - 1/800th (Canon R5 & 400mm f/2.8L IS II + 2x extender)A variety of waterfowl are hanging out in rivers, creeks, and ponds. Several are quite photogenic, like this Barrow’s Goldeneye duck.
ISO 200 - f/8 - 1/400th (Canon R5 & 400mm f/2.8L IS II + 2x extender)Most of the pronghorn are making their way out of Gardiner and back up to higher elevations in Lamar Valley.
ISO 200 - f/8 - 1/400th (Canon R5 & 400mm f/2.8L IS II + 2x extender)Hayden Valley opened up the next day after this workshop, so we took a quick family trip to find a lone grizzly on a carcass far out into the valley. Not quite close enough for any photos.
Interested in joining me for a photography workshop in Yellowstone? Check out www.workshops.trentsizemore.com for more info, including dates and pricing! Dates are now available through spring 2024.