Archive for the ‘Wildlife Photography’ Category

Yellowstone Diary: May 15, 2012

We began the day with a drive westward through the Blacktail Deer Plateau.  There is a rock jumble near the junction of the Grand Loop Road and the Blacktail Deer Plateau Road, and in this area we often have seen yellow-bellied marmots.  The best chance for viewing this industrious animal is on brightly clear chilly mornings – they seem to favor basking in the sun from a vantage with readily accessible escape routes.  The images above and below were recorded at 08:00 MDT, using the Nikon D4 and the AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II at 400mm.  Exposures were at f/5.6 and 1/2500s, ISO 800.  Handheld (invariably, ’cause that is why you buy this lens!!!).  The light changes rapidly in the early morning and I was caught a bit off-guard – thus the silly shutter speed (1/500s would have been plenty fast enough).

We continued further on down the road, and past Tower Junction to the Northeast Entrance Road.  We made a low-probability pass along the access road to Slough Creek Camp.  Near the south end of the road we found a small group of pronghorns basking in the morning sun.  The image of a young female (Below) was recorded at 09:00 MDT using the D4 and the 200-400mm f/4.0 VR II at 400mm.  Exposure was f/5.6 and 1/2500, ISO 500.

Slough Creek Campground had not yet opened at the time of our visit, however it was clear that the mounted brigade was fully active.  Images of the horse barn located near the campground (three images below) were recorded at between 09:15 and 09:30 MDT, using the D800E and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens lens at various focal lengths.

A uinta ground squirrel kept a cautious watch over us while we milled around near the Slough Creek trailhead.  The two images below were recorded at 09:30 MDT, using the D4 and the 200-400 lens at 400mm.  Exposures were f/5.6 and 1/600s, ISO 500.

We continued eastward through the Lamar Valley to the northeast entrance of the park without spotting a single animal – it’s like that some days…  From here we continued along the Beartooth Highway almost to the summit.  The image below of Index Peak was recorded at 11:07 MDT, using the D800E and the AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II lens at 140mm.  Exposure was f/8.0 and 1/320s (+0.33 EV), ISO 100.

The road was closed just a few yards beyond the point were I made this shot (looking north).  Image recorded at 11:40 MDT, using the D800E and the 24-70mm lens at 52mm.  Exposure was f/8.0 and 1/500s (+0.33EV), ISO 100.

A Google Earth image of the location at which the shot above was recorded is shown below – exact center of the image:

 

On our westward retreat we stopped at the Lily Lake Campground, where I recorded the image of Index Peak shown below.  Image recorded at 13:00 MDT, using the D800 and the 24-70mm lens at 38mm.  Exposure was f/11.0 and 1/125s (+0.33EV), ISO 100.

Then back through the Lamar Valley, and then through the Tower junction.  Just a short drive west from the junction at Elk Creek Meadows we found a sow black bear (below) and two second-year cubs.  From the road to the position of these bears is several hundred meters – the image below is a modest crop of the original image.  Image recorded at 15:00 using the using the D800E, the AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR, and the AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II, producing an effective FX focal length of 1000mm.  Exposure was f/6.7 (minimum value with the TC-17) and 1/1000s, ISO 500.

We then continued traveling westward all the way back to Mammoth Hot Springs – no animals.  We decided to drive south towards Norris.  Near the Grizzly Lake Trailhead we encountered the local resident shown in the following five images.  The top two images were recorded at 17:00 MDT, using the D800E, the 600mm f/4G ED VR, and the TC-17E II.  Exposures were f/6.7 and 1/1000s, ISO 1250.

The previous two images were recorded with Griz on the east side of the the Grand Loop Road.  Although the growing crowd was well-behaved, it became evident that Mr. Griz wanted nothing more than to cross the roadway – as anyone who has ever been present at the big show will attest, there are no (none, zero) gaps in the crowded mass of folks viewing the bear, and thus the bear crossing is a significant hazard for both bear and people.  Remarkably, the bear veered north along the road, then quickly west across the asphalt at the first opportunity.  The point at which the bear crossed was bounded on the west side by steep high ground, which forced Mr Griz along the inside track along the west side of the Grand Loop Road, within approx 10-30 ft (yeah, ft) of the assembled masses.  Discretion being the better part of valor, I jumped into the passenger side of the truck cab, picked up the D4 + 200-400mm, and commenced to reel-off images as Griz wandered by.  The next three images were recorded at f/5.6 and 1/1000s, ISO 1600.

This entry was mastered using an NEC model PA301W monitor calibrated to 140 candelas per meter-squared (cd/m^2).

Copyright 2012 Peter F. Flynn.  No usage permitted without prior written consent. All rights reserved.

Yellowstone Diary: May 14, 2012

We set off from Salt Lake City at around 08:30 on May 14.  A promising day with very clement weather.  We arrived at the west park entrance at around 13:30 after making a few supply stops at West Yellowstone, MT.  The west entrance to the park is just a couple of mile east of the town

It does not take very long to leave the hustle of West Yellowstone behind in favor of the beauty and serenity of the Madison Valley.  Here we found elk in abundance, and also bison, but no calves.

We made our way first eastward 14 miles to Madison Junction, and then northeast another 14 miles  along the Gibbon River to Norris.  From Norris the road heads directly northward for about 20 miles to Mammoth Hot Springs.  At approximately 15 miles along this route there is a rest area named Sheepeater Cliffs, and here we found the lone yellow-bellied marmot shown below.

The image above was recorded at around 14:40 MDT, using the Nikon D4 and the AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II at 400mm,  Exposure was f/5.6 and 1/2500s, ISO 800 – yeah, I was in a bit of a hurry to get the shot off before the critter ran off.

We continued north to Mammoth, and then veered eastward through the Blacktail Deer Plateau.  Elk, pronghorn, and bison were scattered along the Northeast Entrance Road.  At the Tower Junction we encountered a small group of bison (below).  These animals were pretty skittish, and as soon as they crossed the road they provided us with a rather entertaining display of their running abilities

The images above (one) and below (four) of bison were recorded at about 16:30 MDT using the D4 and the 200-400mm lens at 400mm.  Exposures were f/5.6 and 1/100s, ISO 800.

Near the Thunderer Trailhead in Soda Butte Canyon we encountered the Moose cow and calf (nearly grown) shown below (next four images).  These images were recorded at 17:10 MDT using the D4 and the 200-400mm lense at 400mm.  Exposure was f/5.6 and 1/500s, ISO 3200.

On the return trip westward we encountered several herd of bison – all of these groups contained sturdy calves as shown below.  The three images below were recorded along the Northeast Entrance Road at around 17:45 MDT using the Nikon D4 and the AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II at 400mm,  Exposure was f/8.0 and 1/1600s, ISO 1250.

On our way out of the Lamar Valley we stopped for a shot (below) of the valley looking south from the eastern edge of Lamar Canyon.  Image recorded at 18:00 MDT using the Nikon D800E and the Af-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8 at 45mm, Exposure was f/11.0 and 1/125s, ISO at 100.

The area below Junction Butte is a haven for many species, including bighorn sheep, bison, mule deer, coyotes, and as shown below, pronghorn.  The image below recorded at 18:30 MDT, using the D4 and the 200-400mm lens at 400mm.  Exposure was f/8.0 and 1/800s, ISO 1250.

Finally, at the end of the day, or at least the end of the light, we encountered this black bear along the short spur road that leads from the Northeast Entrance Road to Petrified Tree.  Images recorded at 19:30 MDT using the D4 and the 200-400mm lens at 400mm,  Exposure was f/5.6 and 1/1250s at ISO 3200.

Images in this entry were processed using Photoshop CS5 (extended) with capture and output sharpening conducted using Photokit Sharpener 2 and Nik Software Plugins (Viveza 2, Color Efex Pro 2).

How did the new Nikon bodies perform?  The D4 is a truly remarkable innovation – although the sensitivity is very similar to that of the D3s, the dynamic range has been dramatically improved – even in the harshest lighting conditions, details in shadow and highlight regions were recoverable in ways in which no previous camera system has been able to render.

The D800E saw limited use on this portion of our adventure – tune in later for a more extensive review of results for this exciting instrument.

Copyright 2012 Peter F. Flynn.  No usage permitted without prior written consent. All rights reserved.

Postcards from Glacier National Park

Looking towards higher ground from the Going-to-the-Sun Road.  HDR image recorded on July 23, 2011 at around 09:45, using the Nikon D3s and theAF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR lens at 35mm.  Exposure was f/11 with five source images bracketing +/- 2.o EV, +/- 1.0 EV, and 0.0 EV.

Looking eastward from the Going-to-the-Sun Road.  Image recorded on July 24, 2011 at around 10:00, using the Nikon D3s and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens at 38mm.  Exposure was f/16 and 1/60s, ISO 200.

There was extensive construction along the upper sections of the Going-to-the Sun Road in the summer of 2011.  The automated signal rigs shown above were a common sight.  Image recorded on July 23, 2011 at around 10:30, using the Nikon D3s and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens at 24mm.  Exposure was f/11 and 1/125s, ISO 800.  Handheld.

We found this billy goat just above the Going-to-the-Sun road at a spot below the Garden Wall where we had to pause for road construction.  Image recorded on July 24, 2011 at around 10:30, using the Nikon D7000 and the AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens at 400mm (600mm in FX).  Exposure was f/8 and 1/200s, ISO 1600.  Handheld.

Mountain Goat calf near Logan Pass.  Image recorded on July 24, 2011 at around 17:30, using the Nikon D7000 and the AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens at 200mm (300mm in FX).  Exposure was f/9 and 1/1250s, ISO 800.  Handheld.

Nanny goat near Logan Pass.  Image recorded on July 24, 2011 at around 17:30, using the Nikon D7000 and the AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens at 200mm (300mm FX equivalent).  Exposure was f/9 and 1/1600s, ISO 800.  Handheld.

A Glacier Park Inc ‘Red Bus’ is shown parked at the Logan Pass Visitors Center.  These 1930’s vintage renovated convertible buses operate throughout the park.  Image recorded on July 23, 2011 at around 11:15, using the Nikon D3s and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens at 28mm.  Exposure was f/11 and 1/640s (+1.0 EV), ISO 800.

The view north from Going-to-the-Sun Road into Lunch Creek and Piegan Mountain.  Image recorded on July 23, 2011 at around 11:30, using the Nikon D3s and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens at 24mm.  Exposure was f/16 and 1/125s (-0.67 EV), ISO 200.

Near the north end of St. Mary Lake we encounter this log jam.  Image recorded on July 23, 2011 at around 13:15, using the Nikon D3s and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens at 24mm.  Exposure was f/16 and 1/160s, ISO 800.

 

Heavy Runner Mountain (left) and Reynolds Mountain from the Going-to-the-Sun Road.  Image recorded on July 24, 2011 at around 11:00, using the Nikon D3s and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens at 24mm.  Exposure was f/11 and 1/125s (+0.33 EV, normalized in ACR), ISO 200.

The view west from Sun Point on St. Mary Lake with  , from left to right, Citadel Mountain, Fusillade Mount, Reynolds Mountain, and Heavey Runner Mountain,  in the distance.  Image recorded at around noon on July 23, 2011, using the Nikon D3s and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens at 36mm.  Exposure was f/16 and 1/3205s (+0.33 EV, normalized in ACR), ISO 800.

Steel sighting-map at Sun Point.  Image recorded on July 24, 2011 at around 11:00, using the Nikon D3s and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens at 36mm.  Exposure was f/16 and 1/100s (+0.33 EV, normalized in ACR), ISO 200.

West bank of St. Mary Lake from the green side of Sun Point.  Image recorded at around noon on July 24, 2011, using the Nikon D3s and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens at 36mm.  Exposure was f/11 and 1/500s, ISO 800.

We found this bighorn sheep ewe along Swiftcurrent ridge near Lake Sherburne in the Many Glacier region of the park.  Image recorded on July 24, 2011 at around 14:00, using the Nikon D7000 and the AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens at 400mm (600mm in FX).  Exposure was f/8 and 1/200s, ISO 1000.  Handheld.

Finally, two images of a black bear sow (above) and her three cubs (below) navagating the shoreline of Lake Sherburne.  The foliage on the lake around Lake Sherburne is extremely mature in spots, and this bear family had to go amphibious to get around some significant obstacles.  The young bears seemed to have no fear of the water, and followed their mother without hestitation.  The color of the black bears in the Many Glacier area is remarkably variable, with many cinnamon-color animals.  Image recorded on July 24, 2011 at around 14:00, using the Nikon D7000 and the AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens at 400mm (600mm in FX).  Exposure was f/8 and 1/800s, ISO 800.

The images included in this picture-postcard summary represent only the briefest overview of the photographic possibilities present in Glacier.  The images were recorded on July 23 & 24, 2011, and are included in a more or less geographically organized fashion, in the way that you would encounter places along the Going-to-the-Sun road from west to east.

Copyright 2012 Peter F. Flynn.  No usage permitted without prior written consent. All rights reserved.