Friday, September 14, 2012

What Animals Are The Likely Stars Of Yellowstone Photography

By Tara Webb


When it comes to taking photos of animals, the Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming has abundant possibilities. In terms of the scenery of its main locations, it is hard to find better backdrops for wildlife pictures anywhere in the United States. What makes Yellowstone photography really appealing though is the range of animals which can be seen and photographed in the National Park.

One thing to always remember when attempting to take photographs of wild animals though is that they are wild, as in not tame. You should therefore always keep a safe distance and never attempt to feed any wild animals at all, as this can lead to aggression. You should never approach within 100 yards of Grizzly Bears, Black Bears or Gray Wolves in the park, nor within 25 yards of all other animals.

Staying safe and alert will reward you with some marvelous views of animals in the wild, with a little patience. The most fearsome animal in Yellowstone is the Grizzly Bear, a massive omnivorous mammal which can weigh around 600 pounds, as well as being quick enough to out-sprint a horse. Grizzlies are nowhere near as common as the much smaller Black Bear though, which remains one of North America's most commonly seen large mammals.

Black Bears are actually very common all over the mainland United States and Canada. In Yellowstone, photographers can see them in the edges of tree lines during summer months, foraging. The much bigger Grizzly tends to be more commonly seen in open areas.

Many species of deer inhabit the park, with the mighty Moose by far the biggest species that can be seen there. A bull moose is an impressive animal, with almost 1000 pounds of muscular bulk, and makes a great shot for photographers if you can capture one in your viewfinder. The Elk is the most common large mammal in the park and helps to provide plentiful prey for the predators in the area, such as the Gray Wolf and the Coyote.

Mule deer also roam through the area, offering more opportunities for impressive looking snaps. If you are patient enough, you might also manage to trap a Pronghorn or two in your camera viewer. The Pronghorn is North America's fastest land animal, and can reach running speeds of up to 60 miles an hour, something it uses to protect it from predators like Coyotes and Gray Wolves.

The Coyote is common throughout the park, but has lost its former status as the predominant canine in the park in recent years to wolves. A wolf pack was introduced to the park in 1995, after hunting and extermination programs had seen it wiped out in the are in the 1920s. Gray Wolves are now well settled, and are much bigger than Coyotes, usually weighing in the region of 40 to 140 pounds, as opposed to the 20 to 30 pound weight of a Coyote.

Bird life like Bald Eagles and Trumpeter Swans also offer great shots for photographers who have an ornithological bent. The rich ecosystem of the park makes Yellowstone photography a rewarding and exciting experience, whatever the ability levels of the people taking the pictures. With great shots available whatever the weather, a visit to this wonderful national park can be very rewarding indeed.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment