Yellowstone Wildlife Safari - Backcountry Journeys · 2020. 4. 9. · Join us this year on a...
Transcript of Yellowstone Wildlife Safari - Backcountry Journeys · 2020. 4. 9. · Join us this year on a...
Backcountry Journeys – Yellowstone Wildlife Safari 1
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Yellowstone Wildlife Safari
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Pricing, Dates & Booking
For current pricing, trip dates
& online reservations please
see our website.
Trip Packets
Our PDF Trip Packets are being
updated all the time. Ensure you
have the most recent version by
clicking here.
Last Published: April 9, 2020
Backcountry Journeys – Yellowstone Wildlife Safari 2
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Trip Overview
Yellowstone is without doubt one of the most diverse and unique
natural habitats in the world and is the largest single intact ecosystem
in the United States. Wildlife thrives across the vast woodlands,
meadows and mountains ranges of what is often hailed as the American
Serengeti. Bison roam across Yellowstone as they once did across the
entire continent of North America as do the world’s largest population
of Elk. Wolves hunt and play beneath the towering hills of Lamar
Valley and Grizzly Bears wander the forests and grasslands in search of
forage.
On this five-day vehicle-based Wildlife Safari you will be immersed in
Yellowstone’s thriving ecosystem and have the opportunity to
photograph bald eagles, osprey, moose, coyotes, marmots, pronghorn,
badgers, bighorn sheep and more. Group sizes are kept intentionally
small so that each photographer gets access to one on one instruction.
Unlike many of our Photography Tours & Workshops this is a less
Backcountry Journeys – Yellowstone Wildlife Safari 3
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
intensive trip and requires little hiking as we mainly travel through
Yellowstone along its scenic roadways as well as off the beaten path
backroads.
We will photograph wildlife as well as the iconic “wonders” of
Yellowstone including Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, Hayden & Lamar
Valleys as well as the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River and
Lower Falls from Artists Point. Each night return to a cozy lodge and
enjoy a fantastic meal while pouring over your photos from the day’s
adventures!
Join us this year on a Yellowstone Wildlife Safari and shoot alongside a
seasoned Yellowstone Photography guide while exploring the world’s
first national park.
Highlights
• Abundant Wildlife Photography
• Photograph thermal features such as Old Faithful & Grand
Prismatic.
• Possible opportunities to photograph Elk, Bison, Moose, Bear,
Coyote & more
• Small Groups
• Top-notch meals
• Learn from & shoot alongside a seasoned pro
Backcountry Journeys – Yellowstone Wildlife Safari 4
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Noteworthy Travel Logistics
• This trip begins & ends in Bozeman. MT at:
The Hilton Garden Inn*
2023 Commerce Way, Bozeman, Montana, 59715, USA
+1-406-582-9900
*Please note: Exact hotel is subject to change - equivalent hotel may be substituted.
If you are planning on arriving early or staying late please contact us.
• You can arrive at any time on Day One of the tour as long as you
arrive in time for the 5pm orientation meeting that evening.
• We should be back in Bozeman sometime in the late afternoon on
the last day of the tour.
Backcountry Journeys – Yellowstone Wildlife Safari 5
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Transportation On-Tour
When you arrive in Bozeman just call the Hilton Garden Inn, if you are
using their complementary airport transportation please contact
them at least 24 hours before your arrival to arrange your shuttle
pickup. For the duration of the tour we will provide ground
transportation.
Pre & Post-Trip Recommended Lodging
If you are arriving early or want to spend more time in Bozeman, MT
after the trip we recommend Hilton Garden Inn.
Backcountry Journeys – Yellowstone Wildlife Safari 6
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Itinerary Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day One (Travel Day)(D)
Plan to arrive on Bozeman, Montana by 5pm for an orientation and
welcome dinner.
Day Two (B,L,D)
We will depart Bozeman early this morning and head straight for
Yellowstone’s Northern Range. Our first day will include
photographing wildlife along the Blacktail Plateau, Mammoth Hot
Springs and Lamar Valley. We will be out early this morning in search
of Bighorn Sheep, Bison and possibly Lamar Valley’s wolves. We will
spend the morning looking for wildlife in some of the lesser known
hotspots.
Later we will look for Black Bears and explore the Tower Falls area.
Wildlife chances are fantastic in Lamar Valley in the evening and we
may see Black Bear, Bison, Elk, White Pelicans and / or Grizzly Bears.
After a full day of shooting in the field we will retire to our cozy lodge
in Gardiner, Montana.
Day Three (B,L,D)
This morning we will head out early again making our way towards
Old Faithful in search of wildlife. We will spend the day exploring the
thermal features & geysers of the upper, middle & lower geyser basins.
There are great wildlife opportunities along the Firehole, Madison &
Gibbon rivers.
After a long day in the field we will share a group dinner before
retiring to our lodging in Gardiner.
Backcountry Journeys – Yellowstone Wildlife Safari 7
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Day Four (B,D)
Today we will explore the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone if
Dunraven Pass is open and spend some time learning how to
photograph the canyon as well as the Upper and Lower Falls of the
Yellowstone. We will have a chance to photograph the tallest waterfall
in the Rocky Mountains from Artist Point which was made famous by
the artist Thomas Moran.
The rest of the day will be spent in search of wildlife such as bison,
coyotes, blue heron and bears!
Day Five (B,L)
This morning we will have one more session of wildlife photography
before departing for Bozeman. Chances of spotting Grizzlies, Moose
and Elk are fantastic in Yellowstone’s Northern Range. We will be
back in Bozeman sometime in the late afternoon.
Please Note: The exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for
the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and
nature photography we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions regarding wildlife or natural phenomena.
Backcountry Journeys – Yellowstone Wildlife Safari 8
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Trip Details
Physical Requirements
All participants must be in good physical condition and have the ability
to walk with camera equipment and essential hiking gear. For
example, tripod, camera, lense(s), sunscreen, water and extra layers (if
necessary). The weight of your pack largely depends on what gear you
choose to bring on each outing. Typically backpacks weigh between 15
and 20 lbs. But remember the choice is yours
Group Size
We keep groups small to maximize your one on one time with the
guide/instructor.
Trip length
5 days
Backcountry Journeys – Yellowstone Wildlife Safari 9
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Mileage
Approximately 3-4 miles along boardwalks and sidewalks for the
duration of the trip.
Pack Weight
15-30 lbs
Fitness Level
Approximately 3 miles along boardwalks and sidewalks for the duration
of the trip.
Meeting Time and Place
5pm on Day One at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bozeman, MT.
Trip Conclusion
Bozeman, MT. We can Drop you off at the Bozeman airport or pre-
determined location in Bozeman in the late afternoon.
Price/Start Dates
See Website: Yellowstone Wildlife Safari
Pre and Post Trip
Recommended lodging Hilton Garden Inn Bozeman, MT.
Accommodation
We will be staying in the quaint mountain town of Gardiner, Montana.
Meals
Most meals are included during the trip dates and we typically eat at
handpicked local restaurants. We often eat snacks and prepare lunch on
the drives. We typically return for a late breakfast or eat breakfast on
the road during photography trips as we are often out early to capture
the morning light. There will be one evening with dinner on your own.
Backcountry Journeys – Yellowstone Wildlife Safari 10
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Weather
Expect warm pleasant days with cold mornings and nights. The
weather can prove unpredictable in the Northern Rockies and can
change on a moment’s notice. Remember some of the best photographs
are made before, during and immediately after a storm cycle. There is
no such thing as bad weather just poor layering and gear choices –
please plan accordingly! Make sure you are prepared for rain and snow!
General Links to Weather Conditions: Gardiner Montana Weather
forecast and Old Faithful Yellowstone National Park Weather
Conditions
We recommend checking these weather links prior to your trip departure
to plan your gear and clothing packing accordingly.
Price Includes
Most meals, ground transportation, accommodation during the trip
dates: from the evening of Day One through the morning of Day Five,
professional photography instruction, park entrance fees, medically
certified wilderness guide, & gratuities for service personnel such as
drivers, pilots, captains as well as hotel & restaurant staff.
Price Does Not Include
Airfare, alcoholic beverages, accommodations before or after the trip
dates, one meal on your own, souvenirs, & trip leader gratuities
(industry standard is typically 10%-20% of the trip cost based on your
experience)
Backcountry Journeys – Yellowstone Wildlife Safari 11
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Conditioning for Photography Trips:
Always consult your physician before commencing with a workout
program.
If you are already in good shape you will likely not need to condition for
this tour. Unless you live at high altitude already you may need to
practice some light walking with your backpack and the boots or
walking shoes you plan on using for the tour. Begin by training with a
light backpack and walk every week. Make sure you are capable of
walking 3 miles in a week. Break it up if need be. Walk in ½-1-mile
increments, walking on relatively flat terrain is fine.
Please Note:
The Boardwalks are an optional part of this tour but are the only way to
see most thermal features in the park. You can complete this tour with
almost no walking what-so-ever, but you will vastly improve your
experience by participating in the short easy boardwalk outing’s!
The average elevation in Yellowstone is 7,000 Feet!! Proper pre-
hydration shortly before your trip will immensely improve your
experience as well as others experience on the tour, drink at least two
liters of water per day as least 3 days before your trip starts!
Lodging & Meals
Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours & Workshops include most
meals, lodging from Day One through the morning of the last day of the
tour, ground transportation while on the tour, National Park entrance
fees, guide fees and other items essential to a successful trip – meaning
that once your there all you will have to focus on is your photography.
We can accommodate most special diets so please let us know if you
have any dietary restrictions.
Backcountry Journeys – Yellowstone Wildlife Safari 12
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Gear List
This gear list should answer a lot of your gear questions so please read
through this carefully. If you still have questions, please give us a call.
While walking your clothing is a system of layers that you add and
subtract according to the weather and temperature. A good pair of good
synthetic “Smartwool” type socks under sturdy boots works well.
Clothing should be light-weight nylon pants (maybe base-layers), a
polypro shirt and either a sunhat or warm hat depending on the
weather. As weather conditions change add insulating and waterproof
layers to your base setup. Don’t bring any cotton clothing. Cotton is not
a good insulator and once it gets wet it takes forever to dry. Absolutely
no jeans!
Backcountry Journeys – Yellowstone Wildlife Safari 13
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Photo & Field Gear
Recommended Camera Gear: • DSLR or Mirrorless Camera. (Nikon, Canon, Sony, Panasonic etc.) • Telephoto Lenses (ranging from 100-600mm approximately)
• Wide-angle Lenses (10-20mm, 16-35mm or equivalent zoom)
• Normal Lenses (ranging from approximately 35mm to 100mm)
• Sturdy but lightweight Tripod (must be able to carry this for
hikes) • Memory Cards
• Batteries & Chargers
• Lens cleaning pen & cloth
• Camera Day Pack (this should appropriately carry all your camera
gear and have a rain cover)
• Camera Rain Sleeve
Optional (but recommended) Camera Gear:
• Back-Up Camera Body
• Filters such as a circular polarizer (for landscape shots)
• 1.4x tele converter
• Laptop Computer with Lightroom / Photoshop Pre-Installed (for
personal use in hotels for downloading images while on tour)
• External Hard Drives
• Bean bag
• Remote Shutter Trigger
• Camera’s Instruction Manual
Suggested Field Gear & Clothing:
• Personal Field Clothing (think layers)
• Warm top, such as a long-sleeved sweater or fleece jacket
• Long pants, or convertible hiking pants, one pair of leggings or
lightweight trousers to block sun and give warmth at night
• Warm Hat & Gloves
• Down Jacket (My favorite piece of gear in Yellowstone!)
Backcountry Journeys – Yellowstone Wildlife Safari 14
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
• “Softshell” Jacket lightly insulated windproof/breathable jacket for
layering and protection from wind
• Long Underwear (synthetic top & bottom)
• Shorts & T-Shirts for on the go during warmer months
• wool Socks (Smartwool, Darn Tough etc.)
• Brimmed Sun Hat
• Sunglasses
• Good walking or tennis shoes
• Casual wear, for your evenings off the trail
• Rain shell, waterproof/breathable jacket
• Rain Pants
• Shooting Gloves
• Headlamp (for evening shoots, conditions permitting)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Knee pads (for low-angle shooting)
• Personal toiletries, medication etc.
• Money, for tipping your guide (industry standard is generally 10%-
20% of the trip cost based on your experience) and for any
personal expenses not included in the tour package such as
alcoholic beverages, a few of the meals, souvenirs, etc.
This is a general list. Please call or email with any questions!
Note on Packing for the tour:
Please pack your extra clothing, toiletries, extra camera gear, and other
travel items into a suitcase, duffel or travel bag. You will not bring all your camera gear on every outing. Each evening you will be briefed on
which lenses, filters, etc. you will need to carry the following day on the scheduled tour or outing.