Anyone been to Yellowstone?

[SilverPenguin]

I'm more than likely heading to Yellowstone for two weeks wildlife photography in Jan/Feb 2011 and just wondered if anyone here has been over there and has any experiences to share?

 

[saddler]

I sent a couple of days there in October just before the park closed. It has to be one of the most amazing paces on earth though I dont know how much you'll see in Jan/Feb time. The park as such is closed then and under several feet of snow. Much of the wildlife will have moved to lower alltitudes to find food. Jackson on the Snake river would be a better place at that time of year to go looking for wildlife.

Here are some random shots of Yellowstone, most of which is dense forrest like the first pic

 

[D.P.]

HAve tried the last few years but plans ahve always fallen through.

1 tip I do know though is if you go to Yellow stone you should also go to Grand Tteon NP "next door" (american millage) and get some more opertunities.

Yellow stonme is a photogs paadise, I think you will require your full arsenal of weapons. I know you have the big guns anyway, but I've heard that even 300mm on crop is often enough.

The main thing is to be fit and hike around. The animals don't stay long at the tourist pullouts.

 

[bigredshark]

Yeah, briefly while I was out that way on a ski trip. That time of year I'd like to go back but if you want decent shots you'll need to be really serious about it, you'll need some bigs lenses, a solution for supporting them (tripod in deep snow can be an issue I found) and a means of getting round. You can't really go round on your own that time of year so you'll need to hire a snowmobile guide (or that'd be the best option IMO) which will mean the cost adds up. I'd love to do it but my fear is you need to take it almost professionally to get decent results...

 

[SilverPenguin]

It has to be one of the most amazing paces on earth though I dont know how much you'll see in Jan/Feb time.

We are going on a tour with a guide that does wildlife trips that time every year and he usually is fully booked within weeks of opening the tours for the following year, so we've done the research and know it's a good time to visit.

Yeah, briefly while I was out that way on a ski trip. That time of year I'd like to go back but if you want decent shots you'll need to be really serious about it, you'll need some bigs lenses, a solution for supporting them (tripod in deep snow can be an issue I found) and a means of getting round. You can't really go round on your own that time of year so you'll need to hire a snowmobile guide (or that'd be the best option IMO) which will mean the cost adds up. I'd love to do it but my fear is you need to take it almost professionally to get decent results...

I'll be taking amongst other things, a D3 (D4?), D300, 600mm, 200-400, Gitzo, Wimberley, Groundpod + other bits and bobs, so not fear of not having the right gear...

And again as above, we are going with a tour then hiring the guy for 3 days of private touring after the main group has left.

 

[bigredshark]

We are going on a tour with a guide that does wildlife trips that time every year and he usually is fully booked within weeks of opening the tours for the following year, so we've done the research and know it's a good time to visit.

I'll be taking amongst other things, a D3 (D4?), D300, 600mm, 200-400, Gitzo, Wimberley, Groundpod + other bits and bobs, so not fear of not having the right gear...

And again as above, we are going with a tour then hiring the guy for 3 days of private touring after the main group has left.

Should be fine in that case, if you haven't shot in extreme cold before then it's worth reading up about it (the obvious being you'll need more batteries and you're best keeping them inside your jacket or something, the less obvious being stuff like condensation (you're good changing lenses outdoors usually, moisture content is low in cold air, but don't go back indoor and immediately change lenses...etc etc).

Give some advance thought to gloves as well, you'll need fairly serious gloves to avoid frostbite but you can't really shoot in those, so lightweight inner gloves and waterproof outer gloves are a good combination.

 

[Nick307]

I have been several times, the most recent time i went was November 2007, this is when i picked up my first Digital SLR camera....the place and experience as a whole is what made me take up photography as a serious hobby and passion. I cant wait to go back as my camera equipment has grown and changed since i was there last!!