yellowstone wildlife safari - backcountry journeys · 2020. 4. 9. · join us this year on a...

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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

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Page 1: Yellowstone Wildlife Safari - Backcountry Journeys · 2020. 4. 9. · Join us this year on a Yellowstone Wildlife Safari and shoot alongside a seasoned Yellowstone Photography guide

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

Page 2: Yellowstone Wildlife Safari - Backcountry Journeys · 2020. 4. 9. · Join us this year on a Yellowstone Wildlife Safari and shoot alongside a seasoned Yellowstone Photography guide

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

Page 3: Yellowstone Wildlife Safari - Backcountry Journeys · 2020. 4. 9. · Join us this year on a Yellowstone Wildlife Safari and shoot alongside a seasoned Yellowstone Photography guide

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

Page 4: Yellowstone Wildlife Safari - Backcountry Journeys · 2020. 4. 9. · Join us this year on a Yellowstone Wildlife Safari and shoot alongside a seasoned Yellowstone Photography guide

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.

Page 5: Yellowstone Wildlife Safari - Backcountry Journeys · 2020. 4. 9. · Join us this year on a Yellowstone Wildlife Safari and shoot alongside a seasoned Yellowstone Photography guide

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.

Page 6: Yellowstone Wildlife Safari - Backcountry Journeys · 2020. 4. 9. · Join us this year on a Yellowstone Wildlife Safari and shoot alongside a seasoned Yellowstone Photography guide

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.

Page 7: Yellowstone Wildlife Safari - Backcountry Journeys · 2020. 4. 9. · Join us this year on a Yellowstone Wildlife Safari and shoot alongside a seasoned Yellowstone Photography guide

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.

Page 8: Yellowstone Wildlife Safari - Backcountry Journeys · 2020. 4. 9. · Join us this year on a Yellowstone Wildlife Safari and shoot alongside a seasoned Yellowstone Photography guide

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

Page 9: Yellowstone Wildlife Safari - Backcountry Journeys · 2020. 4. 9. · Join us this year on a Yellowstone Wildlife Safari and shoot alongside a seasoned Yellowstone Photography guide

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.

Page 10: Yellowstone Wildlife Safari - Backcountry Journeys · 2020. 4. 9. · Join us this year on a Yellowstone Wildlife Safari and shoot alongside a seasoned Yellowstone Photography guide

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)

Page 11: Yellowstone Wildlife Safari - Backcountry Journeys · 2020. 4. 9. · Join us this year on a Yellowstone Wildlife Safari and shoot alongside a seasoned Yellowstone Photography guide

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.

Page 12: Yellowstone Wildlife Safari - Backcountry Journeys · 2020. 4. 9. · Join us this year on a Yellowstone Wildlife Safari and shoot alongside a seasoned Yellowstone Photography guide

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!

Page 13: Yellowstone Wildlife Safari - Backcountry Journeys · 2020. 4. 9. · Join us this year on a Yellowstone Wildlife Safari and shoot alongside a seasoned Yellowstone Photography guide

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!)

Page 14: Yellowstone Wildlife Safari - Backcountry Journeys · 2020. 4. 9. · Join us this year on a Yellowstone Wildlife Safari and shoot alongside a seasoned Yellowstone Photography guide

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.