By Tara Webb


Anyone who visits Yellowstone National park will know all about its stunning backdrops and excellent scenery. All of that makes for some stunning photo opportunities, with some fantastic settings to enjoy. Yellowstone photography really comes alive though when you take advantage of the super opportunities to take pictures of some of the world's most charismatic animals.

One thing to always remember when attempting to take photographs of wild animals though is that they are wild, as in not tame. You should therefore always keep a safe distance and never attempt to feed any wild animals at all, as this can lead to aggression. You should never approach within 100 yards of Grizzly Bears, Black Bears or Gray Wolves in the park, nor within 25 yards of all other animals.

Staying safe and being patient will reward any photographer with great shots in the park. Perhaps the most impressive animal in the park, at least in terms of size and fearsomeness, is the Grizzly Bear. A fully mature male Grizzly can weigh as much as 600 pounds, and can run fast enough the out-pace a horse in a sprint.

Black Bears are actually very common all over the mainland United States and Canada. In Yellowstone, photographers can see them in the edges of tree lines during summer months, foraging. The much bigger Grizzly tends to be more commonly seen in open areas.

There are a number of species of deer in the park, with the Moose by far the largest. A mature bull moose can weigh as much as 1000 pounds, and is a marvelous spectacle to capture through the lens of a camera. The Elk is another species of deer, and is by far the most common large mammal in Yellowstone, providing prey for the canines and other predators.

There are also many Mule Deer in Yellowstone, while Pronghorn can also be photographed, if you are quick enough. Pronghorn are North America's fastest land mammal, and can reach running speeds of over 60 miles an hour. This comes in very handy when avoiding predators such as Coyote and Gray Wolf, which also roam the park.

The Coyote is common throughout the park, but has lost its former status as the predominant canine in the park in recent years to wolves. A wolf pack was introduced to the park in 1995, after hunting and extermination programs had seen it wiped out in the are in the 1920s. Gray Wolves are now well settled, and are much bigger than Coyotes, usually weighing in the region of 40 to 140 pounds, as opposed to the 20 to 30 pound weight of a Coyote.

With such a range of stunningly dramatic animals to capture on film, it is no wonder that Yellowstone photography appeals to so many wildlife photographers. Bears, wolves and birds like the Bald Eagle and the Trumpeter Swan all contribute to a rich ecosystem. With some planning and patience, you can capture great images of impressive wildlife all year round in this beautiful national park.




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