william_h._wiley

I’ve been to Yellowstone many times and my challenge isn’t so much the photography as it is just locating the animals. On my trip in May I waited with other people at various key areas and met several people with radios that evidently communicated with other serious photographers about the timing and location of wildlife. Also, a couple of times I’ve met individuals who work as “spotters” for the wildlife tour companies, increasing the chances that their clients see key wildlife for the hefty prices paid. My question is how to increase my chances of locating and seeing the animals that I want to photograph. Sometimes the rangers share basic information from 1-2 days before or they simply give you generic answers like the “go to the Lamar Valley for wolves” or the “Hayden Valley for bears,” but that really doesn’t help at all. Can I simply buy a radio of some kind and listen to photographers sharing information or are there other ways to hear about current sightings, etc.?  Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Bill Wiley www.wmwiley.com

 

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Lots to think about and different factors to consider. I'm seeing an attorney later this week and will get the specifics about the state of Nebraska. When I figure it out I may post again.

Thanks, Jochen. Exactly what I need to know. Looks like using my Sandisk CF card is the best deal, at least when I'm shooting wildlife or a moving subject. Thanks!

I can't find it in the Canon 5D Mark iv manual, but does shooting with both the CF card and SD cards for each image slow the frames per second speed significantly or at all? Both cards are about 160 read speed and 90 write speed. Thanks!

This is great...gives me a lot of direction. I will pursue your suggestions this next week after Easter is over and things are back on track. Nice to know that other people have already tackled issues like this and are willing to share their knowledge. Thanks everyone!

I'm in the process of writing a will and the question came up about what will happen to my digital images when I'm gone. I've been a serious nature and wildlife photographer for decades (www.wmwiley.com) and hate to think that someone will just push Delete and my best images and memories will be gone forever. My wife will inherit my images if I go first, but what happens then is a big question. I have no children of my own and my wife's son and his family are iPhone shooters and probably wouldn't show much interest.

 

So, other than family, what are my options for giving my best images, some of which have been published in magazines and won contests? Like most photographers, there's a story behind every shot and I've written comments to many of my images. Thanks for any feedback.

You must have a really trained eye to use single point for flying birds. That would be a challenge. Will check my camera to see about auto ISO; never tried that. Thanks for the advice, Blurrist!

Just curious about which AF Zone settings wildlife photographers use on a Canon 5D MK 4 (single-point spot AF, single point AF, AF point expansion, AF point expansion, zone AF or large zone AF). If the animal is stationary, my tendency is to use the single-point spot or single point AF to make sure the animal’s closest eye is razor sharp. That comes at a price, though, because as soon as it moves it becomes nearly impossible to keep in focus. So, what setting do others use with a stationary animal vs. a moving animal? If you use AF point expansion or wider, are you more likely to lose your critical focus, or do you just hope that a higher f stop will keep a broader area sharp (that’s not always feasible in low-light conditions). Bottom line, if you see a stationary elk or a running elk, what AF zone settings do you use? Thanks in advance!

Thanks, Dieter and Sanford. Will take both of your suggestions and get the info I need.

I haven't been on photo.net for years and can't figure out how to do a search for a particular subject. For example, I'd like to search for postings related to "Canon 5D Mark IV." I assume I go to equipment, then EOS and fill in the info box with "Canon 5D Mark IV," but I get no information back. Obviously, I'm missing something. Thanks in advance!

<p>Nice pix, Laura, especially the macros. Very unique. I've been at the other end of the spectrum, shooting super-tel a lot of the time. I guess the variety is what makes photography fascinating. <br>

Thanks for the information. I'm marking up a map I bought with David's and your comments. After I do a little more research I'll be able to put a plan together. Having just retired, I'll finally be able to take a trip and not worry about being back to work by a certain time. What a joy!</p>

<p>Thanks, David. Points out that I need a more detailed map to identify all the areas that you mentioned as well as wildlife sanctuaries, parks, etc. I'll get one today and research your tips. Glad that there are a lot of good things to see. Besides deer, are there many other mammals in those areas, such as red fox? </p>

<p>I have 10-14 days in late May - early June to travel from Jacksonville FL to New Orleans, LA. I'm thinking about traveling west along the coastline of the northern part of Florida, the southern coast of Mississippi and part of Louisiana till I hit New Orleans, and then I'll go north back home in NE. I've read many of the Qs & As in the Florida section of this forum and in terms of best locations for photography most relate to central to southern Florida, which would make my trip much longer. My goal is to take scenery/wildlife/bird pictures in good locations along the route I mentioned. I'm open to different subject matter; just not exclusively birds. Any ideas for that time of year? I'm flexible time-wise, but I'm not sure if I should focus on just a few very good areas or stop at many locations along the way. Thanks in advance for your responses.</p>

<p>Thanks for the feedback Bob and David. Good comments about keeping equipment functional in cold weather.<br>

Having lived in Alaska during the 70s and 80s, I occasionally heard about die-hard winter photographers who would return their cameras to Nikon, Pentax, Canon, etc. to have them "winterized" in order to shoot for extended periods in very cold weather. I don't think it was anything more than replacing standard lubricants in the shutter and other mechanical parts with lighter, less viscose lubricants. Pentax winterized my two Pentax 6x7s once because the cameras were subjected to extended periods of sub-zero temperatures. <br>

Being outdoors occasionally when the temperature dips to zero or 10 degrees is one thing, but if you're shooting the Iditarod when the temperatures dip extremely low for 9-20 days, you have to prep your equipment to accommodate the conditions. The 1999 Iditarod race experienced periods of 50-below temperatures and 60-mile-an-hour winds and 100-below chill factors. The 2015 Iditarod (last March) is considered to be one of the coldest ever, with temperatures consistently from -20 to -45 degrees. <br>

I know we're not specifically talking about the Iditarod, but rather places with extremely cold temperatures, and Yellowstone is no exception. Extra batteries, Zip-Loc bags, etc. are absolute necessities to ensure good photography in winter conditions. Thanks for all the information.</p>

 

<p>Great advice...I hadn't even thought about a tow strap. Great shots on your trip reports, Bill. Did you winterize your camera since it got so cold? I'm not sure it would be worth it for only a week in the park. <br>

Do you know if most of the roads in Teton National Park are open in Jan? I always liked the Gros Ventre area in the warm weather. I suppose there's no where to stay overnight in TNP without spending a fortune, which means heading back to the Motel 6 in Jackson.<br>

Thanks!</p>

<p>The NPS Yellowstone webpage says "The road from the North Entrance to the Northeast Entrance is the only road open to private-wheeled vehicles during our winter season." <br>

My question is how feasible is it to drive an AWD vehicle (Toyota Highlander) on that road, as I'd probably be there at least 4-5 days. I'd be primarily shooting wildlife and I'd want to stop when I see something of interest and shoot as long as I want. Are the regular pullovers free enough of snow to use in the winter? I know that the weather can change the road conditions anytime, but in general, is the road usually passable so it's possible to pull over to take pictures?<br>

I've read about the snow coaches and more than likely, I'd do that the first day out of West Yellowstone. I know the coaches offer two different routes on the west side of the park. But after that, I'd like to drive myself on north road from Mammoth to Cook City. I go to YNP every September, but this would be my first trip in winter. Thanks for your feedback.</p>

<p>Thanks for the information. It will help me pin down my plans and get an idea about expenses. I didn't know the Super 8 in Jackson was so cheap in winter, so that's a good idea too. Didn't know the cost of the snow coaches either, so both of you have given me a lot of direction. Maybe I'll get there after all! Thanks!</p>

<p>I want to photograph wildlife and scenery this winter in Yellowstone, but don't have a fortune to spend. What's the best way to be there in Jan or Feb and not go broke? I go every Sept and sleep in the back of my SUV, but I imagine it would be a little chilly in winter to do that :-)<br>

Are the snow coaches best for photography? What do they cost per day? What are the best places to stay overnight? <br>

Should I include the Tetons in my trip?<br>

Thanks for any info!</p>

 

<p>Your comments are very well written, Tony, and I agree with most all of them. I do think that apart from all the precautions that a photographer may take, there are situations with bears in particular, that just happen, whether due to unforseeable circumstances or just plain fate, although I hate to call it that. And I agree that just because a person shoots with a 600mm lens doesn't make him/her safe from all possible encounters. The temptation is always to get closer to most any kind of wildlife. Regarding the man who was recently killed, I'd love to know if there was some kind of provocation involved, or if it was just a matter of a wild bear having a "bad day." They have personalities and tolerance limits just like pets do. My major concern/amazement comes from the people who show such poor judgement or no judgement at all, totally for the sake for a quick thrill or an image for FB. I'm not even referring to serious photographers, but the loonies who run out into a meadow to stand 25 feet from a grizzly so a friend can take his/her picture. I've seen it happen more than once. It's like they don't know what a wild creature is all about, and they regard places like Yellowstone as big petting zoo, not realizing that the animal might just snap back and then blaming the animal if it does. Is it a lack of good judgement, idiocy or have we gone so far overboard with social media that we'll do anything for attention? Most of us are informed enough to at least take the basic precautions, but I've just become alarmed at how many people put themselves (knowingly I think) in harm's way, not to mention the welfare of the animals. It just strikes me that a lot of people either don't know, or don't care, about "wildness" and that it means to be left alone, unaltered, or at least appreciated at a safe distance. </p>

<p>I'm not a park ranger and don't have a Ph.D. in biology, but I've done extensive wildlife photography Denali, Yellowstone and elsewhere and I have to say that over the years I've grown more and more astounded that so many people seem to have no concept about what "wild" truly means. Not only do they not recognize the inherent danger of being close to wild animals, but they also appear to have no understanding or concern about the ramifications of their actions and how they can potentially alter wildlife behaviors. So many times I've witnessed individuals regard bears, wolves and other creatures as simply stuffed animals from Target, as if they were cute, cuddly and wonderful to show on their Facebook page. It's like they truly don't understand that some animals are wild and have to remain wild simply to survive. However self righteous this sounds, I'm truly glad that my dad, the Boys Scouts, YMCA and other organizations greatly influenced my youth, as not only do I love nature and the wilderness, but I feel a responsibility to protect and preserve those and all forms of wildlife. There's no simple solution to this, other than education, awareness and experience. Based on some of the things I've witnessed over the years, I feel we have a monumental challenge. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thanks everyone. All the new information will make better use of my time as well as provide new photo opps to try. That's a good deal for me and really shows the value of photo.net. ~Bill</p>

<p>I've been up and down the main highway in Jackson Hole, and done serious photography at most of the key locations (Oxbow Bend, Snake River, Schwabacher's Landing, etc.), but never taken any of the back roads other than the one going north from Jackson Village into Grand Teton NP. Can you recommend places in that area other than the ones where everyone stops? I'm willing to hike a couple miles to a good site, but probably not much beyond that. Locations don't even have to be right in the park. Any ideas?</p>

<p>Great information. Based on your comments, I might change my plans and spend more time in the Jackson Hole area where the colors should be better. I'll get on the National Park Service website for Yellowstone and the Tetons and start following that too. Thanks! Bill</p>

<p>Because of the draught conditions this year, can anyone tell me what YNP and the Tetons will look like in mid to late September? Will the trees all have lost their leaves and the color gone? I'm interested in doing scenery photography, so that would make a difference. Will the wildlife be affected too? Thanks, Bill </p>

<p>Thanks for all the info. Guess I'll have to rethink things before I jump in. This forum has proven to be a valuable resource more than once. Thanks! ~ Bill</p>