Went over to Jackson Hole, Wyoming the other day with Dr. Chuck Peterson (emeritus professor of zoology). Wildlife was out in full force: bison, deer, moose, big horn sheep, golden eagles, bald eagles, ravens, trumpeter swans, and geese. The wind was fairly wicked while we were in the open ranges. But all in all, had a very good time photographing in Grant Teton National Park. Stopped in Jackson that evening for some great Tex-Mex food at the Merry Piglets, just off the square.
More than a year and a half of pandemic fatigue takes its toll on the creative process. So to help get back into the groove, so to speak, I gave myself a photo break in the forest! This past Friday I got up at o’dark-thirty and headed north just below the Montana state line and west of Yellowstone NP. The area is in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and includes the Mesa Falls scenic area. The air was cold and crisp. On the back fire roads there were plenty of ice shards where water ponded over night and other trucks had broken when passing through. It is firearm season for big game, so when the sun crested over the Teton Mountain Range, the Warm River valley erupted in gunfire and sounded like a war zone! And yes, when I’m out photographing or filming this time of year I do wear my blaze orange vest!
So my day took me to both the lower and upper Mesa Falls and then off on small fire roads better suited for ATVs as opposed to my small truck. Anyway, I always like the challenge of driving off-road when I get the chance. Four wheel all the way! After spending the morning working my way up through the forest, photographing lichen and moss covered pines and spruce, I made my way up to Island Park, ID and had lunch at Phillips Lodge at The Pines. One of my favorite grills. Afterwards, I headed back down the road towards Harriman State Park and cut off on the scenic byway. From there I went back down into the Warm River canyon and ended up in Grizzly Gulch and had a fine chat with a local man about the preponderance of Black and Grizzly bears in that area. I’m not sure why folks wish to live among bears! As I came out of Grizzly Gulch, I found myself in beautiful farmland. I was really surprised to see fields of green alfalfa juxtaposed with the Grand Tetons!
Here’s a collection of some of my favorites from the day’s image making. Enjoy!
This week I managed to clear my calendar for an overnight trip up to Grand Teton National Park for some autumn photography. Unfortunately, every other tourist was thinking the same thing! As a result, the only affordable accommodation was actually between GTNP and YNP in a transition area known as John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. There, I stayed in a one-room cabin at Flagg Ranch. With no heat or electricity, I found it challenging when I woke up at 5:15am to 24o F (about -4o C). Regardless, saw some beautiful light and landscapes while there.
Terry Ownby 