Yellowstone and Tetons

Like everyone else, trying to figure out exactly how to live in the time of a pandemic is a challenge. I have been working continuously from home as all work trips have been canceled and my wife and I have cancelled three different trips. But, considering, IMO, that this has the potential to go on until sometime in 2021, I wanted to see my family during the summer thinking that is likely better than holiday trips over the winter. My wife and I also wanted to go on at least one vacation this year.

So...we decided to combine my trip to Idaho to see family with a trip to the Tetons/Yellowstone in late July/early August hoping things would be "under control." We have 3 nights based out of Jackson Hole and 4 nights based out of West Yellowstone. This decision was made two weeks ago. I am not sure we would make the same decision today, but so far it is not bad enough for me to cancel the plans we made.

With that as the background and with the trip ~3 weeks away, I am starting to think about my kit. Knowing that the last time I was in Yellowstone was 20+ years ago and a couple on the forum have been more recent, I thought I would check in.

So, the questions get to be:

• Bring the 500 mm? I am thinking yes. But this creates some obvious issues in that if I do, I likely also want to have a zoom telephoto and maybe a second body.
• For a zoom telephoto, what do people think about the 70-200 f/2.8 II? The thought here is that it would be better for low light and getting subject separation. I am slowly transitioning my photographic mindset from "getting every shot" to "getting the best shots possible" and I am thinking the 100-400 II is more the former and the 70-200 II might be better for the latter mindset.
• Do I need to rent or even buy a second body, other than M6 II? I have proven the M6II works with the 500 f/4 II, the main issue is consistent AF accuracy on fine details. On subjects larger than a small bird, it actually does pretty well. But, especially if I am wielding the 500 f/4 on one body, it will be nice to have a something on a second body.
• Binoculars, any thoughts? My wife remembers on the last trip she vowed to have a spotting scope if we ever returned, so that is being discussed. But, I have a 10x pair of binoculars and a 15x pair.

Thanks in advance....Brant

I hope you will have a great trip! I have been to Yellowstone and the Tetons as a teen , as a newly-wed, a parent of school kids and a near-retiree. All different and all very enjoyable trips.

I would vote for a 70-200 mm zoom as just right for some landscape and thermal features.
https://live.staticflickr.com/4540/2...c9123774_z.jpgWhirligig Geyser by dfwatsoneuro, on Flickr

No need for f/2.8 there, but at 200 mm f/2.8 you have a good substitute for a macro lens for interesting wildflowers.


I would love to see your shots of birds and wildlife with the 500 mm lens. If you are trekking the Lamar Valley to seek out wildlife, the 500 mm would be THE lens. On the other hand, I recall many occasions when wildlife got close just by chance, for example a moose grazing on shrubs in the parking lot of the Jackson Lodge about 3 feet from our car. So I think an extender for the 70-200 on the M6 II would handle some shots of birds and wildlife and be much lighter to pack.

For views of the Snake River Valley from the Tetons, I can recommend the Amphitheater Lake Trail. The trail requires only walking uphill, no technical skills. Good views of lakes and the valley start halfway up (about 2.5 miles and 1500 feet gain in elevation) if you don’t want to go to the top.

I liked the “big sky” of a wide angle for such shots, but a panorama with some compression (say about 100 mm focal length) could also be a great idea.
https://live.staticflickr.com/4498/3...ab29e9ae_z.jpgSnake River Valley by dfwatsoneuro, on Flickr



In any case, have a wonderful trip, and stay safe!

Danny

When we went last August I took:

5DMKIV
5DS-R
600mm
100-400mm
24-70mm + Tiffen Variable 8 Stop ND filter
1.4 and 2.0 teleconverters
Manfrotto Aluminum Travel tripod with FlexShooter Pro Head

Here was my thinking:

I wanted 2 bodies for back up in case of a catastrophic failure or accident.

I was not really concerned about needing f/2.8 lenses but wanted my highest resolution bodies.

Most all the wildlife we saw (except Bison) were not very close to the road so I did use the 600mm and the converters

I wanted the 100-400mm for closer range stuff and it's close focusing ability (pseudo-macro)....ended up using it on some landscapes too.

The 24-70mm remained on the 5DSR for landscapes

Used the ND filter and tripod for long exposures of water and thermal features.

I had never been there before and was very impressed with the massiveness of it. We stayed near the east entrance in Cody and only made it down to Jackson Lake lodge near the Tetons for just a few hours (long drive from Cody). We did get up to the North entrance too to see Mammoth Springs and the Lamar Valley. The whole trip was great and I was pleased with my choices of gear. I'm sure you will have a wonderful time and capture some beautiful images with whatever you choose to bring.

Be sure to take something wide. A lot of the thermal pools look great from low and wide, especially Grand Prismatic.

Also, a good CPL to cut reflections. Mammoth Hot Springs for example will look absolutely surreal through a polarized filter, as will the above pools.

I think the 500 will be amazing. If you bring it, then the 70-200 seems appropriate for landscapes and larger wildlife. I also think a second body, even if just your M, will save you some time and hassle if bringing the 500.

Check out Dragon's Mouth for a completely nonvisual thrill. Underrated attraction in my opinion.

I have been going about every year since 08. I have a friend who has a cabin in West Yellowstone.
I would only take two lenses.
The 500mm with a 1.4x
The 24x70 L II.
Take two bodies.
Tripod for the 500mm doesn't hurt, but a mono will suffice.
You may only get a hand full of oppritunities that are great shots for the 500mm.
There will be many for the 24x70.
I would leave the 100-400 and 70-200. Added weight and seldom did I ever need them, I took everything the first few years.

Binoculars. Get one of the IS versions from Canon. The IS is a must have.

Also do not forget all the waterfalls and geysers. If I remember right you went through a waterfall phase a few years ago and there will be more opportunity for long exposure than pictures of bear.

Thanks for the suggestions and tips everyone! Much appreciated.

It should be a good trip. And I should have included this in my initial post, but one reason I am excited is Yellowstone allows for photographing many things, which is right up my alley. Waterfalls (:o), landscapes, large mammals, birds, geysers, and reflections in pools. I am planning on a little of everything. Just thinking about it, if I come back with a good shots of sunrise/sunset of the Tetons, a pool reflection, steam coming off a pool, couple of waterfalls, and a couple of mammals, I will be very happy.

The parts of my kit that I didn't mention but will definitely be coming with me include a tripod (some debate regarding my travel tripod vs my larger tripod w/ gimbal, but it will most likely be the smaller tripod), 6 stop/10 stop ND filters, CPL, shutter release, etc. I do own a monopod, but have never used it much and wasn't really planning on taking it, but I'll give that some more thought.

This might change, but mulling over the above, I am thinking:

• My kit:
  
  • 5DIV and M6 II (I had been considering renting a 1DX III, and I still am, but the more I think about it, I may not want to evaluate a new camera on vacation)
  • One of:
    
    • EFm 11-22
    • 16-35 f/4 IS
    
    
  • 24-70 II
  • 85 f/1.4 IS (a bit odd, but instead of the 70-200, and I am following Yellowstone with a trip to see family in Idaho and often end up taking a portrait or two. Plus, I could see some creative photography)
  • 500 f/4 II plus the teleconverters.
  
  
• Wife's kit (if she agrees :o):
  
  • 80D
  • 15-85
  • 100-400 II

Thanks again...Brant

That looks good but.... forget the monopod. You will want to do to some long exposures. You won't need a gimbal most likely so a smaller tripod should be adequate if steady enough to shoot exposures up to several seconds and allow auto exposure bracketing as well if you're into that kind of thing. Also don't think the 1DxIII would benefit you much either.....I found very limited bird opportunities when I was there and certainly not many in flight chances within range to make a really nice image. I did see some hawks and one or two eagles but they were out of acceptable range for anything but just a landscape type of shot that included a perched or flying bird very small in the frame but who knows.....you could have a different experience.

Yes I agree with Joel - you can probably skip the gimbal tripod and the monopod. I'm guessing that wildlife will be spotted along the road, so in most cases you would shoot from the car, or if safe to do so you would get out and shoot from behind your vehicle. So for those instances you can hand-hold or brace the lens on the car. I own a monopod but I've only used it in a boat where space is really tight. I can also see why sports photographers use them on the sidelines of football games. But for any other activity, a monopod will probably feel inadequate.

Thanks everyone.

I agree, I think my travel tripod makes the most sense.

Never been myself, but definitely saving this for when I do. Hope your trip is awesome!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kayaker72

Thanks everyone.

I agree, I think my travel tripod makes the most sense.

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I use the Monopod to keep the camera up and convenient, not really for support. Waiting for a bird or animal to move it is a good way to be in position for extended periods. Most people hunt out of their cars but seldom do you take shots out of the windows. It is rude to block traffic. You should pull over, and when you do there is inevitably a little walk to get position. Last year the Rangers were forcing people to move to pull outs and not letting them park on the shoulders. In general the Lamar Valley you will see quit a bit of wildlife and it will offer few quality opportunities. If you get one really good photo opportunity a day you will be doing good.

Yellowstone is just like any other opportunity, you get what you put in to it. If you just car hunt you will get that quality of results and everyone in a vehicle behind you get the same results. Walking and stalking give you a better chance for unique pictures but on family trips it is hard to do.

If you want pictures of Eagles close up and in flight go to the West Yellowstone entrance. The Madison as you enter the park for the first few miles before the mountains will give you the chance to be close. Outside the park just out of West Yellowstone headed South you can turn west just after crossing the Madison, drive in to the National Forest and work the trails next to the lake. Sometimes the Eagles will perch in the trees on the cliffs next to the lake. You can get really close to them but it is hit and miss.

Another bird spot would be the Hayden Valley along the Yellowstone River. You might get to see the Trumpeter Swans.

So, a few impressions from the trip. First, I took (% used out of ~2,200 images):

• 5DIV (52%)
• M6 II (48%)
• 16-35 f/4 IS (2%)
• 24-70 II (45%)
• 85 f/1.4 IS (3%)
• 500 f/4 II (48%)
• EF-m 28 macro (not used)
• 1.4x TC and 2x TC (not used)
• Travel tripod

The % used are approximate for unedited pictures. It will be more interesting in how many "keepers" there are, but you can see the general trend. I also "borrowed" the 100-400 II that I had lent to my wife for ~6% of my shots).

Inside the parks, I mostly shot the 5DIV with the 24-70 II and the M6 II on the 500 f/4 II. I occasionally swapped out lenses on the M6 II, but mostly it stayed on the 500 f/4. While I have many shots with it, I can tell you already most of my favorite images have a bit of landscape with the animals, so they usually came from something a bit wider. As for next time, I'll debate the 500. Unless it is something specific, I can see maybe using the 100-400 II and, if I want more reach, add on the 1.4x TC. That said, I could see some specific instances where I would want it.

Tripod was used for some waterfalls, sunrise/sunset images. I did not need my larger tripod, the travel was perfect for this.

One main takeaway, but places like Yellowstone, you can get good images with almost any focal length. The animals can be very close, very far and almost every distance in between. So, you will get good images with whatever you bring...and, no matter what, there will be images you do not get because a particular focal length is in the bag and not on your camera at that specific instance.

I was debating if I should add images to other current threads, but I think I will populate this thread for ideas for future trips.

Moulton Barn, Tetons National Park

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a07aa459_b.jpgIn Explore--6S0A9798 by kayaker72, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ece70413_b.jpg6S0A9905-Pano by kayaker72, on Flickr

Moose- Grant Teton's National Park

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...6095e1dd_b.jpg6S0A9945 by kayaker72, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...531a4ded_b.jpg6S0A0019 by kayaker72, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d35cc36c_b.jpg6S0A0053 by kayaker72, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ca33a5ec_b.jpg6S0A0086 by kayaker72, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d4e528d3_b.jpgIMG_9517 by kayaker72, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...224aa728_b.jpgIMG_9563 by kayaker72, on Flickr

These are all from Schwabacher Landing. It was my second stop after shooting sunrise at Moulton Barn. After shooting some reflections in the water, I noticed some excited people from around the corner. As I walked around a corner to see a small crowd gathered around the moose family. I got there after the others and actually tried to keep some distance, so my angles are a bit off. After it was all over, I was definitely more impressed with the moose as some people were probably 5-10 ft away (on trail with moose in small bog just off trail). In the end, the moose grazed calmly, and then exited away from the small crowd. That said, this is one of those, "in retrospect" thoughts, but just because others are doing it does not make it smart or right. A second example of this happened two days later as we say ~6 cars pulled over. As we drove by, we asked and they had just seen a grizzly run across the road and they were going to go try to find it in the thick brush. As we drove away we saw about 10 of them head off into the woods with their camera phones out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kayaker72

A second example of this happened two days later as we say ~6 cars pulled over. As we drove by, we asked and they had just seen a grizzly run across the road and they were going to go try to find it in the thick brush. As we drove away we saw about 10 of them head off into the woods with their camera phones out.

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Firstly, nice shots! And good job getting decent shots without bothering the moose. I like #1 and #4 the best (the wider angle views) because they give a great sense of place. So it goes to show that there's no big advantage in getting close. With regards to the grizzly gang, that sort of behaviour just makes me cringe but I know it happens all the time. Out here there is pretty good patrolling being done, and when a bear is hanging out near a road then parks personnel will be on site to police the crowds. That very thing happened to me two weeks ago when I was on my road bike (on a road that is presently closed to traffic) --- a park ranger told me there was a grizzly up ahead. Sure enough, I went past and there he was, 10 metres off the road in the grass. Needless to say I did not stop to grab a shot, and in fact I made a new PR on the Strava segment for that part!

Oh yeah, these are great. #1 is a gem.

Chasing down a griz in the woods is the definition of insanity. I know it goes on, but still amazes me when I hear this stuff.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kayaker72

A second example of this happened two days later as we say ~6 cars pulled over. As we drove by, we asked and they had just seen a grizzly run across the road and they were going to go try to find it in the thick brush. As we drove away we saw about 10 of them head off into the woods with their camera phones out.

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This is why you take the 500mm. The cell phone people are always eaten first. The 500mm keeps you at the safest distance.

Ha....all I can say is that I never saw them again. ;)

I am thinking of creating a bit of a photo record of places to visit, so, these are actually what I was photographing before I knew about the moose.

Schwabacher Landing

Attachment 2869

Attachment 2870

And then I came back for sunset (also entering in the weekly contest):

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ba8fd585_b.jpg6S0A0132-Pano-1 by kayaker72, on Flickr

I would love to make it for a sunrise, I opted for Moulton Barn as there were no clouds. But, with some clouds, this could be a great sunrise location....BTW...the cow and calf moose are actually in the sunset shoot, all the way at the end of the water. I haven't processed those shots yet.

A few other stopping points in Grand Teton NP that could easily be worth a sunrise/sunset even though that didn't work out for m.

Snake River Overlook was made famous by Ansel Adams. Literally just a pull off the HWY. The trees have grown so the S-curve in the Snake isn't visable.

Attachment 2871


Teton Point Turnout (again, just of HWY 191):

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f669a1d2_b.jpg6S0A9842 by kayaker72, on Flickr

Oxbow Turn out (really working hard here, a third just off the road):
Attachment 2872

Finally, I found this in a guidebook I bought, but Hendrick Pond Overlook is down some dirt roads and then a short hike as the last road was gated off:

Attachment 2873

Jenny Lake was a mess with people and that was one of our promises we made to do this trip during the pandemic, so we kept driving. But there are plenty of views, waterfalls, short hikes, etc from the Jenny Lake area and other lakes up against the mountains themselves.

Finally, heading north, Colter bay from the beach...I feel like there is a better composition from this location, but did not work it much as this was our travel day, rain, etc.
Attachment 2874

I am thoroughly enjoying all your Teton pictures. The Colter Bay shot reminded me of great times there when the kids were in elementary school, skipping rocks and looking at the Perseid meteor shower.

One of my favorite shots there was nearby to your view of Colter Bay. That was 1995, so original was on Ektachrome, but later scanned and processed digitally.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...e2a9dfed_h.jpgJackson Lake clouds by dfwatsoneuro, on Flickr

Thanks Danny. Glad you like the Yellowstone/Tetons series. I love the area.

Beautiful shot. Looks a bit like a painting.

More bison pics to come, but we ran across this herd on the travel day leaving Grand Teton NP. A couple of pics:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b1bde91e_b.jpgIMG_9802 by kayaker72, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...1fb07821_b.jpgIMG_9812 by kayaker72, on Flickr

Ya know sometimes subject matter matters. I am thinking I might have 2 weeks in October to be somewhere other than Orlando and that just gives me a great idea.

My daughter and I visited a couple of summers ago, a fall trip would be very interesting.

That area is one of my favorites. Honestly, I am still on a bit of a high. You can hit it surficially seeing attractions from the road, short walks, or add depth with hikes, trying to photograph something specific, etc.

As for October, that should be good, but I've heard they've already seen snow, so there is always that. Closer to home, I've been thinking about trips to see foliage with waterfalls in say North Carolina (Brevard/Ashville area), Shenandoah or Great Smokies NPs. October, especially late October, would be near perfect for that.

I really need to explore Yellowstone and the Tetons more. Whenever I go, I hit the basics. But, this, just off the road, just across from the south entrance, I had been in the car for awhile, saw what looked like it should be a waterfall, there was a pulloff, so....

Moose Falls:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...43c75bb4_h.jpg6S0A0170 by kayaker72, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...e6f75cb2_h.jpg6S0A0185 by kayaker72, on Flickr

And..the obligatory shot of Old Faithful....

Attachment 2875

While we stayed away from people in general at Old Faithful, there were some crowds there. So, we decided to hop into our "car bubble" and head to Hayden Valley to try to find bison.

I spotted one by itself in the distance, but, when I turned around, I saw four off in the distance running down the hill for a river. So, we headed back to see and got to watch a small herd of bison cross the river. Some of it I just took in, but I did snap a few pics.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...950b9713_b.jpgIMG_0182 by kayaker72, on Flickr

I actually think the big guy is standing at this point, because as it gets a bit deeper....

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...e92a6963_b.jpgIMG_0190 by kayaker72, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...92871c41_b.jpgIMG_0021 by kayaker72, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...12d8c9c2_b.jpgIMG_0036 by kayaker72, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5464ffb0_b.jpgIMG_0328 by kayaker72, on Flickr

Then, as most of the small herd got across the road, they took off running...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...168334eb_b.jpgIMG_0136 by kayaker72, on Flickr

One thing, but so many cars lined up watching this, the bison actually had trouble finding a gap to cross the road. Again, I am very impressed with the animals here, as they patiently walked up and down the line until they found a gap in the cars to cross the road. One walked so close to the car with my wife in it, she snapped a pic with the window down, camera inside the car, EFS 15-85, and it is nothing but bison. Just a wall of animal (She still has it on her camera).

Anyway, love Yellowstone. Never know what you'll see.

these are all all awesome! got me itching to go get a few bison shots myself! so i did :p there is a small herd of them at LBJ park, i still need to work on them in post but will post them when I'm done, mind you they are not as good as these great shots!