A planned winter excursion to Yellowstone National Park was the perfect way to finish my fiftieth year on Earth. Pristine landscapes with snow-covered mountains and a plethora of wildlife encounters is how I began writing the next chapter in my life.
It started with a cross country trek in the International Wolf Center van with fellow wolf lovers. The plan was to meet up with dozens of friends and colleagues in Wyoming where we would spend days learning from the experts.
Doug Smith giving a presentation about wolves. Image by Rob SchultzWe saw a lot of wolves on this trip. In fact, sixteen at once. For a photographer that’s a dream shot. But in Yellowstone, they are often too far away to make any kind of a decent image. Which was the case with just about every pack we saw on this trip. Here you can see seven (?) of the Junction Butte pack resting on the snow.Wanting to get a better understanding of how I make good images of these wolves in the wild, KSTP news anchor, Kevin Doran and I spoke on camera about tips, tricks, and the gear. Image by Rob SchultzAgate Creek Pack • May 5, 2011
There were many shared experiences while riding in the van. Several of us had been to Yellowstone a number of times which brought about fun stories. Sometimes when critters passed closed by, there was no place to stop, so we’d simply make images through the glass.
Quick snapshot through the window of a coyote that slowly walked past our van.Couldn’t pass up making an image of this handsome fella on the ridge. I may have photographed the same guy a year ago January, but that day I needed to walk out behind the ridge to find him.
Our experiences often took place outside of the park.
Check out that curl! Likely the largest Big Horn Ram I’ve ever laid eyes on! Suspect he’s crossed state lines over his lifetime. On this afternoon, I photographed him in Montana!
Photographing the ram! Image by Rob SchultzLight drizzle, but gorgeous scenery as we make our way out of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, with the International Wolf Center. It was an amazing adventure and I can’t wait to return!
