Then and Now #5.

In 1942 Ansel Adams went around the country on a commission from the U.S. National Park Service to record nature as seen in the parks. Below is his famous Teton Range and Snake River photograph.

67 years later, I visited what is pretty close to where he stood and recorded his scene. Different time of day, appears to be around same time of year, the trees have grown and multiplied, but the majesty of the Tetons and the beauty of Jackson Hole remains.

Go, visit.

Elk. Two views.

When next you find yourself in that great Wyoming valley known as Jackson Hole, be sure to make your way up to Teton National Park near Jenny Lake. We photographed this proud bull elk as he escorted his harem (just outside the frame) across a snow blanketed field, his amorous bugling piercing the early morning quiet.

Then, later in the evening when you find yourself in the town of Jackson, dying of hunger, be sure to drop in to Trio (an amazing restaurant!) for a tasty elk dinner.

Cheers!

On The Road... again!

Headed west.

If you've been watching the new Ken Burns documentary on PBS, among other places you probably saw Grand Teton NP, which was created by an act of congress in 1929. Just last night they showed how the greater Jackson Hole area came to be a part of that existing park in 1950. This caused more than a little stir with some of the locals at the time, but ultimately--thankfully--it became one of the most spectacular settings for every flavor of traveler, photographer, adventurer and artist.

Many new and groovy images to come! (Well... in a week or so.)

Until then, peace.

Wildlife Series #3

Moose.
Alces alces.

Moose sounds? You know what to do... click here.

Still in Jackson Hole. Different day. Wet, cold, in search of big creatures. This guy was just sitting around, waiting out the rain. Next to me was (were?) four or five other photographers. I was driving by and noticed them standing out in this field, about a hundred yards from the road. Though I couldn't see what had their attention, I figured it was worth the stop.

I stood with them and shot on and off for about 30 minutes. The moose only moved to put his head down or lift it up to look around at the curious humans and their tripods. After I left one of the remaining photographers got a shot of him standing and shaking off the rain. I saw the photo. Water droplets spraying all around. It was a winner.

With wildlife photography patience is everything!

Next up in the series: Great Blue Heron.

Cheers.

Wildlife Series #2

The American Bison.
Bison bison.

If you'd like to listen to a Bison's grunt, just click here. (It actually sounds not all that different from my snoring! Yes...I know what you're thinking..."That Rachel is a lucky woman!")

I shot this fellow while at a workshop in Jackson Hole, WY. Actually he was a part of a huge herd. But then so was I! All around me were dorky little photogs like me snapping away in all directions. Must have been a truly ridiculous sight.

These beasts are very unpredictable. Seemingly mellow, peaceful one moment, the next they decide they don't really appreciate just how close you've gotten and whamo! ...you're twenty feet in the air then mercilessly stomped into the dirt! I was nervously on the alert for this possibility the entire time. I had the distinct impression few other photographers were, though, which made me even more nervous. Nevertheless, I--like all the others--continued to shoot away. I was at least using a 300mm lens, which puts some distance between the photographer and the twitchy beast.

Thankfully, none of them became irritated enough to go all postal on us. We all got our adrenaline rushes and our portfolio shots!

Very exhilarating.