YELLOWSTONE PHOTO TOUR – clicking in the rain

Thursday – today is our booked Photo Tour which is something we have looked forward to doing.  Being with an experienced wildlife and Yellowstone photographer will be great and the tour has good reviews on the web.

After the usual brekky of bacon and toast with Vegemite we get ready, grab cameras etc and head to the lobby to meet our guide – Lisa Culpepper.

She seems fun and full of knowledge and when we all arrive it is time to get onboard.  Unfortunately it is raining – not too bad but enough to be a proverbial pain in the you know what.  Nevermind, our cameras and lenses are water resistant to a degree and unless we take a sudden turn off the road and land in the river we should be OK.  Lisa also hands around some plastic bags just in case we need to ‘cover up’

It is nearly a full coach and there are some dubious characters in our group – mainly the same people who were on the Stars and Steam last night.

There is one particular couple – – they tell us they are not the Winter types (sudden intake of breath) and I do not remember seeing a camera anywhere on their attire except for her phone.  She is dressed as if she is off to an afternoon at the Country Club and he sits in the front of the coach for the entire tour.  I do not understand why people who are not interested in photography do photography tours.  Let me tell you the tour was not cheap so what they will get out of it beats me – but I digress.  The other tour members are your typical Fakers.

Before we even get a distance down the road we see one of the snow coaches that has decided to try a little off-roading.

We advise Lisa that we are not interested in persuing this type of adventure and to please stay on the road.  I think that maybe she has read our thoughts and has put them away in the file labelled ‘what not to do today’.

That just goes to show you that the roads are very narrow and treacherous and any sudden deviation could see us landing in the snow.

Bison and elk are always good subjects and we are told not to try and attract their attention when we want to take our photos – just have patience and let nature take its course.  Here we are at Black Sand Basin.  This was one of the stops last night where we got to stand in the blackness and listen to the steam – how wonderful it was.

Today we get to see what could have been there last night without us knowing.  This is the Firehole River – –

and here are some members of the group standing near the snow coach – Kylie has thought better and ventured as far away as she could – –

There are loads of bison here and it would be easy just to stay and watch for the entire day but we must press on.  Here are a couple of views out the window – it is still raining and there is no room to pull over so a quick snap as we go along –

further down the river we see some bison standing in the water to forage along the bank.  Geez, their tootsies must get cold standing in that icy water – what they won’t do for a feed!

They do not seem to mind us – maybe their brains have frozen as well.

The snow doesn’t seem to phase them at all – possibly because they are so used to it.

Sometimes I wish animals could talk so that they could tell us exactly how they feel but then again they are most probably thinking ‘get that bloody camera out of my face and leave me alone’.

Here’s something a bit different for you.  At one of our stops Lisa spots this Kingfisher in the tree.  I do not know what sort of Kingfisher he is but he is just sitting there enjoying the stillness of the day and most probably thinking it’s nearly time for lunch.

It’s a wonder he remains there because some of our group is cavorting through the snow trying to get photos of a bull elk – but the elk doesn’t even give us a look – his antlers remain pointed downward and his face hidden by the snow bank.  Not very co-operative if you ask me so no photos for you.

We stop beside the river for our included lunch which we ordered last night.  I have a turkey, ham and cheese croissant with lettuce and tomato – now that was nice and filling.  We also get a bottle of water, some kettle chips and a fruit bar which was most enjoyable as we sit in the warm coach.  This would be a lovely picnic spot – if the temperature was a bit warmer; like maybe early Summer or Spring.

Lunch finished – time to move on – – when we see these elk enjoying a bit of rest.

They look as if they are having a good old conversation with a joke or two thrown in for good measure.  How they just lie in the snow beats me – they must have lots and lots of insulation under their hairy coats.

I think they must have spied something of interest as one keeps turning around to have a look while the other one is most probably telling her to mind her own business and just keep an eye out for wolves while she has a rest.

Ten minutes later we stop for some more interesting wildlife shots – another bison trudging his way through the snow and there is also an absolutely majestic male elk walking along the river bank.

You know what’s coming don’t you?  One of the Fakers (Mr Grey Jacket) decides to whistle and carry on to make Mr Elk look up and hopefully smile for him.  We just look at him astounded that he is so stupid as Lisa asks ‘who is that whistling?’ He sheepishly retreats but we say ‘it was him’.  Dobbers to the last.  I do not want my tour suspended because someone cannot understand the rules. Consequently when we get back on the coach Lisa tells him the rules AGAIN.

We do get some good photos though – –

During this time Mr Green Jacket decides he needs to pee; so behind the coach he leaves a nice little orange deposit.  Holy Bison – what else are these Fakers going to do?  Mrs Not a Winter Person is taking photos with her phone so at least that is something.

Every time we stop to get out of the snow coach, Mr Orange Jacket and the missus have an almighty need to come and stand on top of you when you are trying to take photos – what a group.  We three just try and get away from everyone.  Sometimes you win – sometimes you lose.

Back on the trail – more bison – more elk – more wonderful wintry outlooks. The Winter is definitely a great time to visit Yellowstone – you can experience the quiet of nature, the snow, the rustle of the trees when the snow decides to follow gravity and fall off the branches and the rivers as they continue to flow despite the freezing temperatures.

Back on the trail and we are passed by a large of group of snowmobilers heading home (wherever that is) after cavorting around the park. We have pulled over to the side as far as we dare so that they can pass and next minute one of them decides to to a bit of off-roading and lands splatt in the deep snow.

The driver seems unhurt and I reckon she was lucky not to have the thing land on her leg when it toppled over.  Lisa hops out to give assistance and soon everyone is back in the upright position and the machine is back on the road and on its way.

We suggest it would be good to photograph some other features so we stop at some small geysers and a lovely blue pool which, of course, has the customary bison.

So lucky that the steam has left us alone and decided to blow in the other direction for a while so that I can capture the blue-ness and clarity of the pool.

Not being a seasoned Winter photographer who would know the ins and outs of how to take photos of snow as if it was second nature,  I find it difficult to get the balance of settings but still I am happy with what I have and anyway it is for my enjoyment and to remember when I get old.

Our next and final stop is the Madison Warming Hut.  So named because after trekking through the snow and cold this little hut provides some nice warm heating and hot beverages and snacks not to mention some civilized amenities.  As you can see in the photos it is a grey, grey afternoon and gives you a feeling of just how cold it is.

We investigate the toilet block – nature must call – and we find this heart starter – it  is an ice ridge that hangs over the entrance – consequently we tip toe past it so that it doesn’t land on our persons.

After being pleasantly surprised by the warmth and cleanliness inside the amenities building it is back to the warming hut to get some hot chocolate and a Snickers Bar with Almonds which goes down a treat.

Everyone is back on the coach and we head for home.  It has been a great day with Lisa – her knowledge of photography is incredible and I will certainly be on the lookout for some of her framed prints in the Yellowstone Store.  We provide her with our email addresses so that we can keep in touch and I think maybe we are just a tad tired as there is not much conversation nor stopping for any more photo opportunities.

We get back about 4.15pm and have a chance to unwind, remove our boots and many layers of clothing before heading down to dinner at the Obsidian where we had brekky.  There are a lot of people here – just as well we had a reservation – but then again they are running behind schedule.  We are finally seated and maybe it is just me but after looking at the menu I was not impressed all that much.  I select the daily special of Rib Eye Steak with Green Peppercorn gravy and mushrooms, mashed potatoes and broccoli.

Sounds very mouth watering and when it arrives it looks great BUT after cutting into the steak I discover it was just about the worst I have ever been served.  So fatty and full of gristle (obviously hidden by the gravy) and by the time I cut away all the crap I am left with a piece of steak that is about 2 mouthfuls.  By this time I have lost my appetite but what I did eat manage to eat was delicious.  Shame it was not all like that – someone needs to speak to the chef.

Time to grab some hot cider and head for bed.  Definitely a complaint on Tripadvisor coming up about the steak.

Highlight of the day : all that snow and Mr Whistler!