The Open Road

What better way to make a first impression than to have scenery like this with light rays filtering down out of the clouds from above. This was my first stop inside Yellowstone. Just a small turn off on the side of the road near the East Entrance. It turned out to be one of the most scenic vistas that day. Presented here in a cropped format to focus on the hill and eliminate the non-essential foreground.

Capturing the Yellowstone River as it winds its way through the Hayden Valley at dusk. The National Parks provide opportunities for people of varying interests. While I was photographing the landscape there was a group next to me in search of a wolf pack rumored to be roaming this area. To my knowledge I did not capture any wolves on film by accident, but I did enjoy the reflections of the evening sky on the calm waters of the river.

In the morning heavy fog filled the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Water droplets formed on the pine needles of the forest trees. This photograph crops in on some of those pine needles with the fog drifting over the canyon on other side.

Iconic Lower Falls in Yellowstone National Park. Taken from Lookout Point just after the morning fog had mostly lifted. There are still remnants of fog that can be seen combined with mist coming off the falls. The morning light illuminates one side of the canyon and leaves the other side in shadow providing for nice contrast.

This photograph is taken upstream of the Upper Falls. While visiting it surprised me how many people stop to visit the Upper Falls and turn around and return to their vehicles. Very few venture beyond to see the sights upstream. They are missing some great views. This is one of several photos I took of the rapids in this region of the Yellowstone River. It is amazing the plant life has found a way to attach itself to the rocks despite the rapids giving the mixture of turquoise water and green undergrowth.

Photograph of the Milky Way Galaxy over Canyon Village in Yellowstone National Park. Taken near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. Trying to find a safe place to shoot at night, I had the canyon to my back and right, car to my left, tripod in front followed by the road, tree line, and lodging and water treatment plant on the other side of the trees. When shooting in the dark it takes several shots to find the galaxy core and get it in focus and aligned with the foreground. Approximately 5 seconds after taking this shot an animal attacked from the tree line. Fortunately, it did not anticipate my tripod being present and collided with that first, knocking my camera back into my hands. It ran a short distance off which gave me enough time to grab my flashlight and make noise to scare it off into the woods. I never caught sight of what attacked, and I did not want to chance a second encounter, so I threw my equipment in the car and headed back to my room. Consequently, this is the final photograph from that evening. Fortunately, by this time I was able to get the full galaxy in view. Selected by International Photography Awards in 2020 for Honorable Mention in Nature - Astrophotography (Non-Professional) category.

This panoramic photograph is the combination of four individual photographs taken of the Grand Teton Range in Grand Teton National Park. Photos were taken with the use of a tripod and the same 35 mm focal length. Images were later combined using Adobe Lightroom into a single panoramic image as presented here. I scouted the location for this panoramic photo prior to my visit. Not based on other photographs, rather based on topography. There was a creek that ran across the land which meant good vegetation, likely trees, and a drop in elevation in front of the mountain range. These were all elements I was looking for to make an interesting foreground for a panoramic shot. Selected by International Photography Awards in 2020 for Honorable Mention in Special - Panorama / Panoramic (Non-Professional) category.

Taken in Grand Teton National Park near Jenny Lake. This photo was captured with a 16-35 mm zoom lens at a 35 mm focal length. Photographed to draw the viewer into the trail. The trail passes across from left to right and disappears into the trees. The pines point up to the small trail of snow over the mountain. It creates the illusion that just maybe this trail winds around those trees and across the countryside and up and over the mountain pass. At least that is where your eye settles.

This sunset was captured near Moran, Wyoming. I spotted this sunset forming in my rear-view mirror on my travels back to Yellowstone from Grand Teton National Park. I found a place to pull over and was able to get this photograph. The photograph presented here was taken with a 16 mm lens to add emphasis to the cloud formation.

Taken on the shore of Lewis Lake while returning from Grand Teton National Park. This is another location that looks quite different during the day and does not draw much attention. However, with the last light of day that small trail of rocks into the water makes for the perfect foreground in a scene that perfectly balances color tones in the water and sky with a beautiful peach glow at the horizon.

Captured on a rainy day on Yellowstone's Midway Geyser Basin with a 16-35 mm zoom lens at 24 mm focal length. The Grand Prismatic Spring's signature rainbow colors are nearly obscured by the steam rising in the humid air creating the faintest of rainbows along the horizon. The slight breeze creates a glazing effect across the terrace only broken by the lattice of stone and occasional droplets of water on the surface. The bold colors of the thermal spring are contrasted against what would otherwise be a dreary and gloomy day.

A departure from landscapes, this architectural photograph is of the landmark, Lake Yellowstone Hotel. While the colors may seem out of place in a natural green setting of the park, they blend nicely with the fresh fallen snow.

The juxtaposition of a forest consumed by fire with the starting of a new forest all under fresh fallen snow. Taken with a wide angle 16 mm lens, it gives the perspective as if the old forest is falling away in favor of the new one.

Isa Lake is a very tiny lake, more of a pond. It is divided into two parts by a road as can be seen in this photograph. As such it is not a top tourist destination in the park. However, add fresh fallen snow and it makes for the perfect Christmas card scene.

The call of the open road, time to pack up the car and take a road trip with family or friends for sights unseen.  Photographed in Yellowstone National Park along the South Entrance drive with Grand Teton mountain range in the distance.  Patience, timing, and quick reflexes were key to getting this shot without any cars on this long stretch of road.