Trip Reports: Fall 2010

This is Ian doing his best Where's Waldo impression. 

This is Ian doing his best Where's Waldo impression. 

A good look at the berries these bears are after. 

A good look at the berries these bears are after. 

This bears technique was to stand up and grab a branch and then put all of its weight into pulling the branch to the ground....

This bears technique was to stand up and grab a branch and then put all of its weight into pulling the branch to the ground. Very funny to watch. 

A photographer next to me tasted one of these and said it was horrible, but the bears love them.

A photographer next to me tasted one of these and said it was horrible, but the bears love them.

A little black bear peaks out from under the brush.

A little black bear peaks out from under the brush.

The only time the bears come out of the trees are when they need a drink. About every hour or so they would get out of the hawthorn...

The only time the bears come out of the trees are when they need a drink. About every hour or so they would get out of the hawthorn trees and come down to this little pond for a drink. In the middle of the day when temperatures got really high, they would also take quick dips to cool down. 

After shooting the bears for a few hours we moved on towards the Antelope Flats road, where we spotted a herd of bison. They...

After shooting the bears for a few hours we moved on towards the Antelope Flats road, where we spotted a herd of bison. They were grazing the flats, while a wildfire burned in the background. There were many fires burning in and around the park. 

A large plume of smoke rises into the air. 

A large plume of smoke rises into the air. 

The smoke combined with the cloudless days created really hazy conditions for most of the trip.

The smoke combined with the cloudless days created really hazy conditions for most of the trip.

Looking the other way from the same vantage point as the previous photo it's easy to see the haze created by the fires in the...

Looking the other way from the same vantage point as the previous photo it's easy to see the haze created by the fires in the area. As the sun got lower dramatic rays of light started to shine past the peaks of the Cathedral Group.

When we saw the rays developing through the smoke we decided it might be a good idea to head to a location for a sunset shot....

When we saw the rays developing through the smoke we decided it might be a good idea to head to a location for a sunset shot. We weren't really planning on doing any landscape photography for sunset so we scrambled to the Snake River Overlook, which was close by. I'm glad we decided to head that way, because the display of light that evening was just amazing. 

The famous "Snake River Overlook" at sunset.  ** This image is available as an exclusive limited edition fine...
The next morning we went back to the area where all the bear action was. Sure enough, the bears were there yet again. While most...

The next morning we went back to the area where all the bear action was. Sure enough, the bears were there yet again. While most of the photographers were distracted by the berry crazed beasts, I found this cow moose nearby feeding on aquatic vegetation in this small pond. I sat on the shoreline for quite some time watching and photographing her. 

She was a very good model. Always striking  poses for me.

She was a very good model. Always striking  poses for me.

She had a young calf nearby who was also feeding in the water. Unfortunately, it was blocked by brush.

She had a young calf nearby who was also feeding in the water. Unfortunately, it was blocked by brush.

This is my favorite shot of this moose. It was really nice to sit and watch her for such a long time.  ** This image is...

This is my favorite shot of this moose. It was really nice to sit and watch her for such a long time. 

** This image is available as an exclusive limited edition fine art print **

Beautiful early morning light.

Beautiful early morning light.

One more. 

One more. 

After the moose wandered off I returned to where the bears were feeding. It was mid-day now and really warm for an October day...

After the moose wandered off I returned to where the bears were feeding. It was mid-day now and really warm for an October day. The bears were making frequent trips to this little creek to get a drink and cool down. 

This beautiful cinnamon black bear emerged from the trees on its way to the creek. 

This beautiful cinnamon black bear emerged from the trees on its way to the creek. 

Taking a moment to ponder what's so interesting about drinking from a creek possibly?

Taking a moment to ponder what's so interesting about drinking from a creek possibly?

It was hot standing here taking photos of this bear, so I can only imagine how hot they must've been with their new winter coats...

It was hot standing here taking photos of this bear, so I can only imagine how hot they must've been with their new winter coats. 

After a good drink, it's time to lay down and cool off for a minute. 

After a good drink, it's time to lay down and cool off for a minute. 

Looks refreshing.

Looks refreshing.

This time of year the bears have only one thing on their mind... food. You could tell that this bear would have loved to sit...

This time of year the bears have only one thing on their mind... food. You could tell that this bear would have loved to sit in the water all day long, but it's instincts know it has to eat as much as possible to prepare for the fast approaching winter.