Many joke that in Yellowstone we only have two seasons, winter and summer. It definitely feels like that with lots of snow at the end of May but then the warm weather appears. Many, myself included, feel that Yellowstone might get a little crowded during the brief summer, between Memorial Day and Labor Day; however, all that you need to do is leave the roads and Yellowstone feels like it’s your own personal park.
Two bull Bison begin to cross the flooded Lamar River as the sun rises above the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 5DII with 70-200/2.8L IS II in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of – 2/3 (+-1) at ISO200, f/11, and HDRM adjustments for a three shot image. The camera was mounted on an Induro CT214 and Acratech GP ball head. A Cinnamon Black Bear searches for bird’s nests in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 7D with 500/4.0L IS + 1.4 TC III in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of 0 at ISO400, f/5.6, and 1/160th of a second. The camera was mounted on a Gitzo 3540XLS and Induro GHB2 gimbal head with custom long lens support.Four members (one out of frame) of the Canyon Pack of Wolves attempt to separate a cow Elk in the Hayden Valley of Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 7D with 500/4.0L IS + 1.4 TC III in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of 0 at ISO400, f/7.1, and 1/320th of a second. The camera was mounted on a Gitzo 3540XLS and Induro GHB2 gimbal head with custom long lens support.A male Osprey returns to his nest that is occupied by his mate and their two hatchlings in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park. Captured with a Canon 7D with 500/4.0L IS + 1.4 TC III in aperture priority mode with an exposure bias of + 1/3 at ISO400, f/7.1, and 1/400th of a second. The camera was mounted on a Gitzo 3540XLS and Induro GHB2 gimbal head with custom long lens support.
Dave M. Shumway is a professional photographer, director of communications for Volunteers of America and adjunct professor of photography at Rocky Mountain College. Currently based in Montana, Dave has two passions, one for the outdoors and one for photography. To this end, he averages 150 days/year in wild and fragile places the world over. Working as a photographer, Dave’s assignments include everything from wildlife and landscape photography to journalism and commercial work. His extensive time in the field shows through in online galleries, which are loaded with images of the fragile places to which he travels. His work can be viewed at www.DaveShumway.com.
