Yellowstone National Park

Grand Canyon Nat’l Park to eliminate sale of disposable water containers

Headlines: Yellowstone News Blog — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 05:50:11 +0000

Last week, Grand Canyon National Park announced they would cease to sell disposable water bottles. The plan will go into affect within 30 days under a plan approved by National Park Service Intermountain Regional Director John Wessels.

The park will increase the amount of free water filling stations for reusable water bottles, which they plan to sell around the park.

The new plan was put in place to encourage further recycling and environmental sustainability within in the park. All water sold within plastic containers less than one gallon will not be sold within the park in any capacity. Estimates say the waste associated with disposable water bottles make up roughly 20% of the park’s trash and about 30% of recyclables.

“Our parks should set the standard for resource protection and sustainability,” said Wessels in a press release. “Grand Canyon National Park has provided an excellent analysis of the impacts the elimination of bottled water would have, and has developed a well-thought-out plan for ensuring that the safety, needs and comfort of visitors continue to be met in the park. I feel confident that the impacts to park concessioners and partners have been given fair consideration and that this plan can be implemented with minimal impacts to the visiting public.”

This isn’t the first time Grand Canyon has experimented with reduction of environmental impact, especially related to waste reduction.

To read the National Park Services policy regarding plastic waste reduction click here.

More information about Grand Canyon’s reusable water bottle program can be found here.

December in Yellowstone (part 2)

Photo Finder: Yellowstone Picture Blog — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:01:12 +0000

Clear cold nights are a great to photograph stars and the moon, especially when a clear night coincides with a total lunar eclipse. This December brought perfect weather to photograph the lunar eclipse. The weather was perfect for clean nights, ten degrees bellow zero (fahrenheit), so I planned a trip to spend three days skiing, camping and photographing inside Yellowstone, aligned with the total lunar eclipse. It all worked out to provide nice photographs, good skiing and an all-around great time in Yellowstone National Park.

The shadow of Earth slowly creeps across the moon during a total lunar eclipse. Captured with a Canon 7D and 500/4.0L IS + 1.4TC III in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of - 2/3 at ISO200, f/9.0, and 1/100th of a second. The camera was mounted on a Gitzo 3540XLS tripod and Induro GBH2 head with a custom long lens support. A cable release and LiveView, as mirror lock up, was used.

The full moon rises through trees on a ridgeline in Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon7D and 500/4.0L IS + 1.4TC III in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of - 4/3 at ISO200, f/11, and 1/160th of a second. The camera was resting on a beanbag.

The moon turns blood red as it enters a full lunar eclipse, at the same time the sun rises casting its first light on Mount Everts in Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 5D II and 70-200/2.8L IS II in manual mode at ISO400, f/7.1, and 3.2 seconds. The camera was mounted on an Indur CT214 tripod and Acratech GP head. A cable release and LiveView, as mirror lock up, was used.

Photographer Dave M. Shumway opens the door to his tent during a cold December night in Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 5DII and 17-40/4.0L in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of - 1/3 at ISO1600, f/5.6, and 13 seconds.The camera was mounted on an Induro A413 tripod and Induro BHD2 bullhead and a cable release was used.

December in Yellowstone (part 1)

Photo Finder: Yellowstone Picture Blog — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:01:21 +0000

December…the crowds have left, the snow is accumulating and the animals know that they have a long cold winter ahead of them. Winter is one of my favorite times of year to visit the park because the wolves, fox and coyotes do very well in winter, and as they are thriving the snow makes them easier to spot and when you do spot them their full winter coats look great in pictures.

A gray member of the Lamar Canyon Wolf Pack walks up a hillside in the Lamar Valley as the rising sun illuminates the scene from behind. Captured with a Canon7D and 500/4.0L IS + 1.4 TC III in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of + 2/3 at ISO200, f/7.1, and 1/500th of a second. The camera was mounted on a Gitzo 3540XLS tripod and Induro GBH2 head with a custom long lens support.

An American Bald Eagle takes off from a frosted tree in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 7D and 500/4.0L IS + 1.4 TC III in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of + 2/3 at ISO200, f/7.1, and 1/800th of a second. The camera was resting on a beanbag.

A coyote makes its way through the snow that fills the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 7D and 500/4.0L IS + 1.4 TC III in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of + 1 at ISO200, f/7.1, and 1/640th of a second. The camera was resting on a beanbag.

November in Yellowstone (part 2)

Photo Finder: Yellowstone Picture Blog — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:01:42 +0000

November in Yellowstone can be a wild card in weather, but seems to always be a rewarding time photographically speaking.

A mule deer buck keeps a close eye on "his" doe in Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 5D II and 500/4.0L IS in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of + 5/3 at ISO200, f/6.3, and 1/200 of a seconds. The camera was resting on a beanbag.

Frost clings to the limbs of a tree alongside Red Spouter Fumarole in the Lower Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 7D and 70-200/2.8L IS II in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of + 2/3 at ISO200, f/11, and 1/160th of a second. The camera was handheld.

Lava Creek streams over Undine Falls as the ice of winter begins to form in Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 5D II and 70-200/2.8L IS II in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of + 1 at ISO50, f/16, and 2 seconds. The camera was mounted on a Gitzo 3540XLS tripod and Induro GBH2 head. A cable release and Singh-Ray LB Polarizer were used.

Abiathar Peak is light by rays of sunlight as it breaks through the clouds in Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 5D II and 70-200/2.8L IS II in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of - 2/3 at ISO400, f/8.0, and 1/500 of a second. The camera was resting on a beanbag.

November in Yellowstone (part 1)

Photo Finder: Yellowstone Picture Blog — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:01:57 +0000

November is often the forgotten month in Yellowstone National Park. The fall is “over,” but winter has “not begun.” The park closes most of the roads to wheeled traffic after the first full weekend of the month, but that just means that the almost empty park is all your to ride you bicycle in the South or drive your car in the North.

I have made it a tradition to visit the park on closing weekend and then again shortly after to ride my bike on the “empty” roads of the park.

A red fox zeros in on a vole near Rainy Lake in Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 7D and 70-200/2.8L IS II in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of + 2/3 at ISO400, f/2.8, and 1/320th of a second. The camera was handheld.

A coyote walks through the snow as the sun breaks through the clouds near the Lower Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 7D and 70-200/2.8L IS II + 1.4 TC III in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of + 1 at ISO400, f/5.0, and 1/2500th of a second. The camera was handheld.

An American Dipper watches the waters of the Lamar River mix with those of Soda Butte Creek in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 7D and 70-200/2.8L IS II + 2.0TC III in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of + 1 at ISO400, f/7.1, and 1/320th of a second. The camera was handheld.

A mule deer buck surveys the Gardiner Canyon in Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 5D II and 70-200/2.8L IS II + 1.4TC III in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of + 5/3 at ISO200, f/7.1, and 1/200 of a seconds. The camera was resting on a beanbag.

October in Yellowstone (part 7)

Photo Finder: Yellowstone Picture Blog — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:47:11 +0000

A trumpeter swan takes off from the Yellowstone River in late October. Captured with a Canon7D and 500/4.0L IS + 1.4 TC III in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of + 1/3 at ISO800, f/5.6, and 1/2500th of a second. The camera was mounted on a Gitzo 3540XLS tripod and Induro GBH2 head with a custom long lens support (the tripod was not fully set up).

A bison cow and calf walk through a field of grass along the shores of the Firehole River as steam rises from thermal features behind. Captured with a Canon 5D II and 70-200/2.8L IS II in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of + 2/3 at ISO400, f/7.1, and 1/400th of a second. The camera was handheld.

An American Bald Eagle soars above the Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 7D and 500/4.0L IS in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of + 7/3 at ISO400, f/4.0, and 1/1250th of a second. The camera was handheld.

Clepsydra and Spasm Geysers erupt shortly after Fountain Geyser in the Lower Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 5D II and 17-40/4.0L in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of 0 at ISO100, f/11, and 1/250th of a second. The camera was handheld.

October in Yellowstone (Part 6)

Photo Finder: Yellowstone Picture Blog — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:01:27 +0000

Dawn's first light, as fog rises from OxBow Bend in Grad Teton National Park. Captured with a Canon 5DII 70-200/2.8L IS II in manual mode at ISO100, f/2.8, and 1/4th of a second. The camera was mounted on a Gitzo 3540XLS tripod with Arca-Swiss Z1sp ball head, a cable release was used in LiveView (mirror lockup) mode.

Canada geese, clouds and turning aspen all unite along the shores of OxBow Bend with Mount Moran reflecting as the sun rises on Grand Teton National Park. Captured with a Canon 5DII 70-200/2.8L IS II in manual mode at ISO100, f/11, and 1/160th of a second. The camera was mounted on a Gitzo 3540XLS tripod with Arca-Swiss Z1sp ball head, a cable release was used in LiveView (mirror lockup) mode.

A twisted tree stump near the top of Signal Mountain frames the distant summit of Grand Teton on a blue sky morning, in Grand Teton National Park. Captured with a Canon 5DII 17-40/4.0L in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of + 2/3 at ISO100, f/11, and 1/160th of a second. The camera was mounted on a Gitzo 3540XLS tripod with Arca-Swiss Z1sp ball head, a cable release was used in LiveView (mirror lockup) mode.

A break in the clouds gives way to the sun's rays that set a series of alpine lakes aglow, as seen from atop the Beartooth Pass. Captured with a Canon 5DII 70-200/2.8L IS II in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of - 2/3 at ISO400, f/7.1, and 1/2000th of a second. The camera was handheld.

Yellowstone offers free admission for MLK Weekend

Headlines: Yellowstone News Blog — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:21:04 +0000

In observance of the Martin Luther King Junior holiday, Yellowstone National Park will have free admission into the park this Saturday, January 14th through this Monday, January 15th for all vehicles at all operating entrances.

As part of a nationwide initiative, Yellowstone joins all other U. S. National Parks in waiving park entrance fees.

Although Yellowstone is currently converted for over-snow travel, guests will be able to have waived fees regardless of mode of entry to the park. Normally non-commercial entry passes for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park are $25 per vehicle.

Other “Fee Free Days” for 2012 include National Park Week (April 21 through 29), Get Outdoors Day (June 9), National Public Lands Day (September 29), and Veterans Day weekend (November 10 through 12). More information on the Department of the Interior’s “Fee Free Days” can be found here.

While winter travel is still limited throughout the park in the winter months, many roads and points are still accessible. More information on Yellowstone winter operations can be found here.

Parks Mourn Slain Ranger Margaret Anderson

Headlines: Yellowstone News Blog — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:04:49 +0000

A memorial service will be held January 10, 2012 at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington to honor fallen Mount Rainier National Park ranger Margaret Anderson.

Anderson was killed in the line of duty while executing a traffic stop at the park on New Year’s Day, 2012. The reported gunman, Benjamin Colton Barnes, a former solider, initially blew through one traffic stop, which was checking for requisite winter travel gear. A second stop was then set up by Anderson and another ranger to intercept Barnes. It was at the second stop that Barnes reportedly shot and killed Anderson before fleeing into the park; he was found dead the next day from an apparent drowning. This is the first homicide in the history of Mount Rainier National Park. The park was subsequently closed to the public until January 7, when the majority of the park reopened free of charge.

For more information on the memorial service visit NPS.gov.

Other sources: WashingtonPost.com and CNN.com

Ed Note: Blogger Nate Alcorn is currently on vacation. This update was written by the YellowstonePark.com staff.

October in Yellowstone (Part 5)

Photo Finder: Yellowstone Picture Blog — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:01:45 +0000

An afternoon scouting trip leads to a dramatic scene at OxBow Bend with strong clouds over Mount Moran. Captured with a Canon 5DII 17-40/4.0L in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of 0 at ISO200, f/11, and 1/250th of a second. The camera was handheld.

A dusky blue grouse forages through fall's bounty atop Signal Mountain in Grand Teton National Park. Captured with a Canon 7D 70-200/2.8L IS II in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of 0 at ISO200, f/5.6, and 1/200th of a second. The camera was handheld.

Fall's colors, Grand Teton National Park. Captured with a Canon 5DII 17-40/4.0L in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of 0 at ISO200, f/7.1, and 1/320th of a second. The camera was handheld.

Mount Moran and OxBow bend as seen from atop a nearby mountain at sunset, Grand Teton National Park. Captured with a Canon 5DII 70-200/2.8L IS II in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of - 2 at ISO50, f/7.1, and 1/200th of a second. The camera was mounted on a Gitzo 3540XLS tripod with Arca-Swiss Z1sp ball head, a cable release was used in LiveView (mirror lockup) mode.