YNP August 1st - 2nd Trip Report (photos & video)

[gnpackn]

The flowers are still going strong, thinner this year than last.
The bears are into summer patterns.
The Elk and Mule Deer are getting nice racks and are still easy to find in their bachelor groups.

The short two day trip was a nice break from Billings. I wanted to give the flowers one last try; but because they were a bit thin I did not shoot flowers as a primary subject, however they make a great addition to photographing other animals. Oh well... next year

I had a 50D break on top of the Beartooth Pass. Under a year and the lens mount quit locking down. Back to Canon tomorrow and it should be back up and running soon enough to get another trip or two before the 60D comes. That is why I always bring a trusty 20D along when I head out shooting. I wish I had just brought one of my other 40/50D's

There was a bachelor group of about a dozen Mule Deer bucks three of them were quite nice all hanging out in the Elk creek area.

Everything else seemed fairly on par to last year.

I can not wait for fall to come.

blah... blah... blah... time for some photos

All of the images are here:
http://www.shumwayphotography.com/gallery/9138670_BKufZ

Now the teasers:

5DII 300/2.8L IS + 1.4TC II
Figured I might as well get this one out of the way.


50D 300/2.8L IS + 1.4TC II
American Pipit


5DII 300/2.8L IS + 2.0TC II
Great Blue Heron


5DII 300/2.8L IS + 1.4TC II


5DII 17-40/4.0L


5DII 300/2.8L IS + 1.4TC II


5DII 300/2.8L IS + 1.4TC II


5DII 300/2.8L IS + 1.4TC II
I love this bear rock eating away at that carcass


5DII 300/2.8L IS + 1.4TC II
Short-tailed Weasel (Mustela erminea)(a.k.a. Stoat or Ermine)
I think...


5DII 300/2.8L IS + 1.4TC II
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

And to prove that I took the above photo intentionally so I could adjust it to look as it did:

5DII 300/2.8L IS + 1.4TC II
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

So the Cougar was shot in the northern part of the park between Mammoth and Tower. I saw it while driving, stopped in a pullout as quickly as possible, and snapped a few photographs before it disappeared into the trees. I was so glad that I had the the 5DII with 300/2.8L IS + 1.4TC II ready to go at ISO800 and set to f/4.0 the shutter speed was only 1/125th. The entire thing happened in a matter of seconds. I will say that those who do not drive with a camera handy will miss their chance at those brief glimpses of rare YNP specials.

Enjoy

...Edit... Added Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) and Short-tailed Weasel (Mustela erminea)(a.k.a. Stoat or Ermine)

[clarebv]

#1 Amazing ... Sunset -- Beautiful ... Love the black and white! Great series

[WBuffettJr]

I can't BELIEVE you photographed a cougar in the wild! That is so amazing I'm in awe. Well done.

[Yellowstonegirl]

Is that what I think it is in that first shot? Woah! I've never even seen one in the wild (I used to see track at OF in the winter a lot). As always, beautiful photos, Dave.

Kristine

(I'm envious of the cougar shot)

[vetmom]

Wow! How cool is that, a cougar! I'm soooo jealous, by the way great shots.

Cheryl

[lah]

I would so much like to see a cougar, in the park or around where I live. I've seen tracks in the snow around here when riding my horse but have never seen one.
The little one on the road looks like a weasel to me.

[fiznatty]

Dave, I think there are two weasel species in the park, the short tail and long tail. From that distance, who knows. Still, another great encounter to go with the cat.

Max

[Helene]

Congrats on your cougar shots! I'm green with envy!

[olivier34]

Awesome Dave ! What a beautiful encounter !

[fins]

Beautiful photos, Dave! And the cougar, just--WOW!

[yellowbelly2]

Simply great to not only see but to photo a couger.

I'm going to share this photo with my boys... there's a chance that's it's the same couger that shut down the Beaver Ponds Trail in June.

Thanks for the post.

[Kelli]

So hard to pick any favorites when they are all so good. I do really love the sunset and the flying bird with the rock by it. Way to go on the cougar!

[NatureDudeRx]

Wow, way to go! Even with the cougar walking away from you, this is a terrific image! Such an amazing rush to see this magnificent cat in the wild! There are some wonderful photos in this collection (the red in the sunset is beautiful but its burning my retinas) but the cougar encounter is definitely the main attraction. Wonderful stuff!

[Moose Tracker]

Fantastic , your shots are incredible . Good job . How lucky you got to see the Cougar .. AMAZING . I rememeber either 04' or 05' a 'Cat' was sitting near the Calcite area om a steep ledge- I think with quills stuck on him, he sat there for hours and there were pictures posted - what a creature - sadly we were a week to late -haha

Thanks ! more .. more

Jp

[gnpackn]

Here is a 1:1 crop, screen shot, from LightRoom to help with the ID...

You will want to click on the image to see it all in a new window.

Thanks for the kind words all. I am so very relieved to of finally gotten a few images of a wild YNP Lion. Tons and tons of time in the park has finally given me this opportunity where I was able to take advantage. I do wish the photographs were better; but I'll take what I can get. This cat was running away from my position and having anything is better than nothing (at least they are sharp 1:1, properly exposed, and have relatively low noise).

[fiznatty]

Hmm... maybe a short-tailed? The long-tail's tail is supposed to be nearly as long as the body, and despite the perspective I'd say this one's tail sure doesn't look that long.

Max

[Southernman]

Thanks for sharing your photo galleries. I look forward to each new one and you seem to out do yourself every new outing but I don't know how you will top this last one. The mountain lion is totally awesome and I am glad you were able to capture the images you did.

[ambassador2ys]

Great photos can not wait to see more.

[luvdamtns]

They are all beautiful, but I think the cougar is my favorite. They are so elusive. Congrats - great shot!

[kane513]

pine marten?

[sandi]

Wow I can't believe the mountain lion shot way too cool!! Of course you other shots are great as well. thanks

[redwolf]

Wow, seeing the cougar is AWESOME. Great photos as always.

[gnpackn]

Thanks for the kind words again all

I don't know how I am going to top a Lion; but I will darn sure give it a try

[bearlee]

Beautiful shots. Amazing cougar! The three deer is nice as well.

[Kevbar]

Fantastic shots... Still waiting to see my cougar in the wild.... fingers crossed. Thanks for posting.