9/10/2012

What Can Yellowstone Photography Offer When It Comes To Wildlife Shots

By Tara Webb


Anyone who visits Yellowstone National park will know all about its stunning backdrops and excellent scenery. All of that makes for some stunning photo opportunities, with some fantastic settings to enjoy. Yellowstone photography really comes alive though when you take advantage of the super opportunities to take pictures of some of the world's most charismatic animals.

Before setting out on nay wildlife photography expedition though, it is wise to remember a few safety tips. Some of the animals in the park are very dangerous indeed, and could actually kill someone who gets too close without knowing what they are doing. Never try to feed wild animals ever, and stay at least 25 yards away from all animals, and 100 yards away from larger predators like the Gray Wolf and Grizzly Bear.

Staying safe and being patient will reward any photographer with great shots in the park. Perhaps the most impressive animal in the park, at least in terms of size and fearsomeness, is the Grizzly Bear. A fully mature male Grizzly can weigh as much as 600 pounds, and can run fast enough the out-pace a horse in a sprint.

Black Bears are actually very common all over the mainland United States and Canada. In Yellowstone, photographers can see them in the edges of tree lines during summer months, foraging. The much bigger Grizzly tends to be more commonly seen in open areas.

Deer of several species are very common in the park, and the Moose is the biggest of them all. A male moose of full maturity and growth can weigh more than 1000 pounds, a very impressive spectacle to capture on film. Also in the park is the Elk, the most common of the many large mammals in the region, which acts as a main source of prey for the local carnivores.

There are also many Mule Deer in Yellowstone, while Pronghorn can also be photographed, if you are quick enough. Pronghorn are North America's fastest land mammal, and can reach running speeds of over 60 miles an hour. This comes in very handy when avoiding predators such as Coyote and Gray Wolf, which also roam the park.

Coyote was once the dominant canine species in Yellowstone, though that changed when the Gray Wolf was re-introduced to Yellowstone in 1995. Gray Wolves had previously been wiped out by man's extermination programs in the 1920s, but a pack now thrives after getting settled. Coyotes are much smaller than Gray Wolves, with the latter typically weighing between 40 and 140 pounds, while a Coyote usually only weighs around 20 to 30.

With such a range of stunningly dramatic animals to capture on film, it is no wonder that Yellowstone photography appeals to so many wildlife photographers. Bears, wolves and birds like the Bald Eagle and the Trumpeter Swan all contribute to a rich ecosystem. With some planning and patience, you can capture great images of impressive wildlife all year round in this beautiful national park.




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