Jake Peterson’s Blog

That’s right it’s more Bighorn Sheep! Jeff Cable, my folks and I have been out in Yellowstone for the last couple of days photographing anything that would stay in front of the lens. Friday with Brutus was a blast but unfortunately it had to end. Saturday was a fun ride around in the park in which we saw 15 wolves and heard of another 8 roaming around. None of them were anywhere close to being within range to photograph, somehow half a mile is still too far away, go figure. Yesterday we ventured into the park again after the roads were reopened, which were closed due to wind and snow. Upon entering we found these guys.

These are the sheep that inhabit the north entrance. Surprisingly they were quite low which is odd considering this time of the year. The snowfall just isn’t enough to force them away. We spent a good hour watching a large group, including five or six rams. One of the shots I’ve always wanted but never could get was a shot of one jumping and freezing it in mid air. This was my first attempt and although the compostion is good the sharpness is not. I thought i would post it anyway cuz i still like it. The three amigos had to leave today so it’s just me again up here in the rockies, sharing some of the delights with anyone that stops by.

Images captured with D2HS, 70-300 AF-S VR on Lexar UDMA Digital Film

This is my one hundreth post! I thought since this is a special post I’d use an image of one of my favorite creatures, the Grizzly Bear. This is Brutus, a really awesome bear that i had the privilege to work with. I of course have to thank Jeff Cable, my Dad and my Mom for making it possible. I can’t say much more so you will just have to catch the rest in the Lexar add that this guy will be featured in.

Image captured with D2HS, 70-300 AF-S VR on Lexar UDMA Digital Film

Monday was the last day I could go on the wildlife expedition, for I had to go back to school that night. Instead of going into the park like we had done for the previous two days, we went around Quake Lake and up to BigSky looking for Moose and Bighorn Sheep. The Moose were too far away to doing anything with but the sheep cooperated nicely. The eight rams that we could photograph were all of good size and munched their way up and down the hillside.

As the day wore on, the light began to fade around four as it normally does in winter in Montana. By five it was gone. The rams had moved back up the hillside and out of range. One Ewe remained down below for us to photograph in the nice light. Suddenly Suzie, our driver for the last two weeks, yes that’s how long shes had to put up with us, pointed with much enthusiasm a weasel that had just poped out. The nine of us quickly turned around on the icy dirt road and pointed our cannons down the slope. This Long Tailed Weasel, which is just amazing, played curious George for maybe 30 minutes with us. He quickly ran out to us, back to his hole and then back to us again. Very lovable little guy but boy he wouldn’t hold still for more than a second. Damn good training on panning but hard to get sharp images. He made a perfect end to a glorious weekend. The guys are lucky and get till Wednesday in the park, while I’m stuck back doing homework, which I’ve put off because I have been playing with my images. So at least I have a good excuse. What wonders will next weekend have, I can’t wait to find out.

After Saturday’s fun with the hoarfrost in the morning and the Bison in the river (as seen below),  Sunday was greatly looked forward too.

Sunday began with four big male Bison by the river munching on the grasses. A classic Yellowstone scene, the Bison, the river and the steam. It was a great cold morning. I must have had a mental block or taken a stupid pile because that whole day I couldn’t seem to take any good images, which is kinda a bummer. The day ended with a ride out to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone which is truly spectacular.

It was an end to a great day with great anticipation for the next. Stay tuned for one more day of rap up from this past weekend’s safari, but if your looking for more excitement and the current days beauty you can go to my Dad’s site for all the latest details.

Saturday was the first day of the wildlife expedition in Yellowstone and it was spectacular. We began the day with great light and hoarfrost on the trees.

The day continued on with an entire afternoon of shooting the Bison that roam the land. These creatures are stunning when they are covered with ice and frost. This particular male gave us an amazing show as he walked towards us through the steam vents and then the river. We were on a high note after that afternoon.

The afternoon was finished with a show of grace and beauty with a group of trumpeter swans in the Madison River. What will happen tomorrow?

I wished i could have gotten this up sooner but unfortunately i had to go back to school this past Tuesday and since then i have had very little time to do work with images. Beginning of the semester chores as it were. Today i finally had some time so i thought I’d get some shots up from the second day of DlWS. The day was rather unusual with power outages, snowcaoches breaking down and some wasted time. Nevertheless good things did happen.

One of the great things about Yellowstone in the winter is the ability to shoot people and their shadows in an entirely different fashion. The steam and the snow allows for a great combo with people. I spent most of the day looking for those combos and enjoying the ones i found. For instance this one above is at Grand Prismatic Springs which is just a gorgeous place. This person was walking on the boardwalk at the right moment.

The trees, the light and the shadows seemed to form this abstract image. This was at Old Faithful down the path from the lodge.

This too was on the same path down from the lodge and im afraid i don’t remember the name of the pool. He maybe walking on water but those colors are amazing.

Today was the first day of shooting for the workshop and it was good. We had nice weather and light for most of the day. We started by going into the Firehole River Canyon where there are numerous opportunities.

This was higher up on the road before any snow coach or snowmobile ran over the new snow. The light has just started to come through and it made this kinda cool pine tree silhouette on the snow.

Later in the day we went to Paint Pots where the steam is amazing. I liked this pattern with the snow covered rocks, it reminded of burning marshmallows.

Today the gang went into the park for a chance to unwind and goof around before the paticipants arrived. We had some fun shooting the breeze and the steam coming up in the cold.

I’m on my way back to Bozeman to start spring semester of school. But before I do I’m going to be spending some time with my extended family at DLWS. This morning I was passing through Salt Lake City and stopped at the Bear River Bird Refuge. It’s a great place in the fall but not so much in winter. I drove the auto tour route for a look around. This fox on the green pole was at the beginning of the route, kinda ominous.

The activity wasn’t as high as in the fall but there were some Bald Eagles and other raptors, along with a few Great Blue Herons and water fowl. The Eagles and the herons were the only cooperative subjects.

It seems like the Great Blue Herons are everywhere but to me it’s just weird to see one standing in the snow. He was cooperative so I can’t complain.

The day may have started ominously but it ended, kinda the same way. Cuz on the way out was a dead racoon on the ice covered river getting eaten by a Bald Eagle. It wasn’t there on the way in so I was kinda excited to see it. Not that im excited to see death, just looking for a good image. That racoon looks like he saying O crap he got me! Where’s my spleen?

Last night Dad and I were out running some errands and caught the sunset. Living in the Sierra’s for so long we instinctively brought all our gear with us, knowing that we would need a close up lens to get around the unfortunate poles and wires.

The whole sky lit up except forthis one spot. As you can see only a small sliver kinda like a flame scorching the sky was above the mountain range.