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Yellowstone in Winter

Yellowstone in winter is a truly special place. The snow transforms the park into a mysterious, unearthly winter wonderland and whilst I was looking forward to visiting the national park, I was also dreading it. Our tour was to be conducted entirely by snowmobile and I was convinced that this was going to be hardcore. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Our snowmobiles were two seater affairs complete with heated seats and handgrips.  The back seats were for us to lash our camera gear to – just as well really because driving a snowmobile is so much fun that I could see rows ensuing every morning as to who would drive.

Bison walking along the river edge

Our first day out was also my birthday and what a magical day it was!  Not only did it snow, but we saw bison and even a wild bobcat. The bobcat was particularly special because sightings of them are so very rare.

Bobcat on the prowl

I watched, enchanted as the bobcat hunted along the river’s edge and successfully caught a vole. I didn’t want to leave the bobcat but the light was fading fast and we had to leave the park.

We were also lucky enough to spot trumpeter swans.  These swans were once thought to be extinct as no one realised that they wintered in the park.

Trumpeter Swans taking flight

I had hoped to photograph a Great Grey Owl in the snow.  Sadly, we arrived too late and all the owls had already migrated elsewhere. However, coyote sightings more than made up for the disappointment.

Coyote in yellowstone in winter

Yellowstone in winter is such a beautiful and unearthly place. I’m not normally into landscapes but Yellowstone is so much more than just the wildlife that call the park home.

Exploding geyser in yellowstone

On our last day, we visited Two Tops, a favourite site for snowmobilers and home to some of the most fantastic snow sculptures created by snow, wind and cold.  The landscape is utterly alien.  It really was like we were on a different planet.

Alien snow landscape

If you want to do a photographic tour of Yellowstone in winter, snowmobile is the way to do it because you can get to places that the snowcoaches can’t take you.  Also, your cameras will fare better in the constant cold temperature than the see saw of cold outside and warm inside the snowcoach.

This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. Alan

    Brilliant! Looks like you had an absolute blast!!

    1. Pui Hang

      Thanks Alan. It was an amazing trip and I’d love to do it again

  2. lisa

    So many great shots! Now I am inspired to go to Yellowstone!

    1. Pui Hang

      Thanks Lisa. You should go, it’s amazing in Winter! I would also recommend going with the Gerlachs – they taught us a lot about how to use our cameras and took us to some amazing places in the park

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