By: D. Robert & Lorri Franz
The last time we were in the park was October 31, 2004 . As we slowly tow our camping trailer through the park for the last time of the year, we stop to photograph a huge grizzly bear boar during a raging snowstorm. It is now 7:55 am on May 6, 2005 . Lorri and I are sitting in our vehicle anxiously anticipating the east gate of Yellowstone National Park to open at 8:00 am for the season. As we wait, we begin to imagine with much excitement the unlimited photographic wonders of yet another season in the world's first national park. Being residents of Cody Wyoming Yellowstone is literally our back yard. By 8:30 am , we are busy photographing a beautiful grizzly bear sow with her two yearling cubs. What a great start to the new season.
The last time we were in the park was October 31, 2004 . As we slowly tow our camping trailer through the park for the last time of the year, we stop to photograph a huge grizzly bear boar during a raging snowstorm. It is now 7:55 am on May 6, 2005 . Lorri and I are sitting in our vehicle anxiously anticipating the east gate of Yellowstone National Park to open at 8:00 am for the season. As we wait, we begin to imagine with much excitement the unlimited photographic wonders of yet another season in the world's first national park. Being residents of Cody Wyoming Yellowstone is literally our back yard. By 8:30 am , we are busy photographing a beautiful grizzly bear sow with her two yearling cubs. What a great start to the new season.
D. Robert & Lorri Franz
Even in July the air temperature can be cool at dawn in the high mountains of Wyoming . We are standing, huddled to stay warm, at the edge of a lush mountain meadow. We anxiously watch as forms slowly begin to emerge out of the darkness. Soon these shapes can be made out to be that of moose, our primary goal for this trip. Straining to see into the dim light of early morning with our binoculars we start counting and when finished are amazed to have found 14 Shira's moose (Alces alces shirasi), eleven bulls (males) whose growing antlers are covered in velvet and three cows (females) feeding peacefully.
Even in July the air temperature can be cool at dawn in the high mountains of Wyoming . We are standing, huddled to stay warm, at the edge of a lush mountain meadow. We anxiously watch as forms slowly begin to emerge out of the darkness. Soon these shapes can be made out to be that of moose, our primary goal for this trip. Straining to see into the dim light of early morning with our binoculars we start counting and when finished are amazed to have found 14 Shira's moose (Alces alces shirasi), eleven bulls (males) whose growing antlers are covered in velvet and three cows (females) feeding peacefully.
By D. Robert & Lorri Franz
Lorri and I had located a herd of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep just east of Yellowstone National Park along the Shoshone River . Two majestic bighorn rams of equal size were going through all the ritualistic posturing right before our very eyes. Lorri and I were ready. Our camera exposures were calculated and set for plenty of shutter speed to stop the action. We were in the best spot to witness as well as capture one of nature's most awesome spectacles, the violent dominance battle of the bighorn sheep. As the rams slowly separated, always keeping their eyes on one another, we knew the battle was about to begin. The two rams reared up on there hind legs and began the charge toward each other. We laid on the motor drives and fired away only to be disappointed with our results. It was merely a bluff charge, the rams stopped dead after a step or two.
Lorri and I had located a herd of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep just east of Yellowstone National Park along the Shoshone River . Two majestic bighorn rams of equal size were going through all the ritualistic posturing right before our very eyes. Lorri and I were ready. Our camera exposures were calculated and set for plenty of shutter speed to stop the action. We were in the best spot to witness as well as capture one of nature's most awesome spectacles, the violent dominance battle of the bighorn sheep. As the rams slowly separated, always keeping their eyes on one another, we knew the battle was about to begin. The two rams reared up on there hind legs and began the charge toward each other. We laid on the motor drives and fired away only to be disappointed with our results. It was merely a bluff charge, the rams stopped dead after a step or two.
D. Robert & Lorri Franz
Hot, dusty, and discouraged I said to Lorri, "I know one more road where I've seen horses before.” Pointing to the south I added, “It leads toward the higher elevation of Green Mountain . Let's give it a try.”
Three days of hard searching had yielded nothing but disappointing results. We had come across a few smaller bands of horses but not the large bands of mares and foals we really hoped to find. Less than a month earlier, on my way to Yellowstone National Park , I had found a good number of horses in this particular area including a large band with several newborn foals. But now they seem to have disappeared. After talking with the local Bureau of Land Management (BLM) personnel who indicated that due to the ongoing drought the herds were concentrated near permanent water sources we realized our search would likely be difficult.
Hot, dusty, and discouraged I said to Lorri, "I know one more road where I've seen horses before.” Pointing to the south I added, “It leads toward the higher elevation of Green Mountain . Let's give it a try.”
Three days of hard searching had yielded nothing but disappointing results. We had come across a few smaller bands of horses but not the large bands of mares and foals we really hoped to find. Less than a month earlier, on my way to Yellowstone National Park , I had found a good number of horses in this particular area including a large band with several newborn foals. But now they seem to have disappeared. After talking with the local Bureau of Land Management (BLM) personnel who indicated that due to the ongoing drought the herds were concentrated near permanent water sources we realized our search would likely be difficult.
By: D. Robert & Lorri Franz
This past September a group of serious wildlife photographers, some professionals, some serious hobbyists, were photographing in Yellowstone National Park . We noticed that nearly all of us were shooting digital cameras, a dramatic change from just a few years ago. What has brought about such a revolutionary evolution in photography? We feel that shooting digitally has made photography fun again for many and in a lot of ways digital photography is the superior medium. Let's explore some of the advantages of digital cameras for wildlife photography.
This past September a group of serious wildlife photographers, some professionals, some serious hobbyists, were photographing in Yellowstone National Park . We noticed that nearly all of us were shooting digital cameras, a dramatic change from just a few years ago. What has brought about such a revolutionary evolution in photography? We feel that shooting digitally has made photography fun again for many and in a lot of ways digital photography is the superior medium. Let's explore some of the advantages of digital cameras for wildlife photography.
By D. Robert & Lorri Franz
It is 12:00 a.m. on April 1, 2006 I am sitting in a blind in the hill country of Texas anxiously waiting for a raccoon, opossum, skunk, gray fox, ringtail or any other creature of the night to venture on to my pre set stage. Twenty five feet in front of me I have placed a picturesque log baited with a smorgasbord of delectable treats including sardines, 2 kinds of cat food, and bird seed. I am gripping my Canon Eos 1D Mark II equipped with an infrared transmitter to trigger the 4 flashes wirelessly I had set up earlier in the evening and attached to my 100-400mm IS lens. At 12:19 a.m. Lorri, my wife and photo assistant, who is sitting in our cabin excitedly watching the whole scene, radios me "Incoming." At 12:20 a.m. I take my first image of a raccoon for the inaugural "Images for Conservation Fund" Pro Tour of Photography Contest.
It is 12:00 a.m. on April 1, 2006 I am sitting in a blind in the hill country of Texas anxiously waiting for a raccoon, opossum, skunk, gray fox, ringtail or any other creature of the night to venture on to my pre set stage. Twenty five feet in front of me I have placed a picturesque log baited with a smorgasbord of delectable treats including sardines, 2 kinds of cat food, and bird seed. I am gripping my Canon Eos 1D Mark II equipped with an infrared transmitter to trigger the 4 flashes wirelessly I had set up earlier in the evening and attached to my 100-400mm IS lens. At 12:19 a.m. Lorri, my wife and photo assistant, who is sitting in our cabin excitedly watching the whole scene, radios me "Incoming." At 12:20 a.m. I take my first image of a raccoon for the inaugural "Images for Conservation Fund" Pro Tour of Photography Contest.