Wildscape Adventure

05/08/2026

Best Wildlife Camera & Lens Combos for 2026

Discover the best wildlife photography gear for 2026. Camera and lens combos tested in Yellowstone for beginners to professionals.

05/06/2026

Bear safety is critical right now in Yellowstone.

On May 4, two hikers were injured by bears near Mystic Falls, leading to temporary trail and area closures. While incidents like this are uncommon, they highlight an important reality of spring in Yellowstone.

Bears are:

• Emerging from dens
• Actively searching for food
• Moving through high-use areas

The majority of negative encounters happen when bears are surprised at close range.

Key bear safety practices include:

• Maintain at least 100 yards distance
• Carry bear spray and know how to use it
• Keep bear spray accessible at all times
• Make noise while hiking
• Travel in groups when possible
• Stay alert for signs of bear activity

For a full guide to moving safely through bear country, visit:
https://www.wildscapeadventure.com/exploringthewild/bear-safety

For the latest park update:
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/26008.htm

Wildlife Photography Tip: Safe wildlife photography starts with distance. Let the animal dictate the moment, not the photographer.

05/01/2026

The Wild in Yellowstone: Bison in May

Experience Yellowstone bison calving in May. Learn behavior, best locations, and photography tips for capturing newborn calves in the wild.

04/15/2026

Seasonal transitions are underway across Yellowstone National Park.

The West Yellowstone entrance opens April 17, followed by the Canyon to East Entrance road on May 1. The South Entrance into Grand Teton National Park is scheduled to open May 8, with Dunraven Pass (Tower Fall to Canyon) typically being one of the final routes to become accessible, scheduled for May 22. These openings significantly expand access and photographic opportunity across the park.

Wildlife activity is increasing across the northern range. Grizzly and black bears have been active in Lamar Valley, including solitary boars and sows with cubs. Bison, wolves, and coyotes are also moving more frequently as spring conditions continue to develop.

A storm system moving through tonight into Thursday is expected to bring snow to Cooke City and a rain-to-snow transition in Gardiner, along with gusty winds.

These conditions can create a strong visual advantage for wildlife photography. Fresh snow simplifies the landscape, allowing subjects like bison, wolves, coyotes, and bears to stand out clearly while making behavioral moments easier to capture.

Photography Tip: In snowy conditions, use exposure compensation to avoid underexposing the scene. Slightly increasing exposure helps maintain clean whites and separation between your subject and the background.

If you’re planning a trip to Yellowstone this spring, this is an ideal window to experience dynamic weather and peak wildlife activity. Join us out here.

04/14/2026

There is still time left to book a spot for our Mastering the Night Sky Workshop in Acadia National Park this June.

This workshop is designed for photographers who want hands-on experience capturing the Milky Way in real-world conditions. Instruction takes place entirely in the field, focusing on planning, exposure, composition, and adapting to changing conditions along the coast.

With a limited group size, each participant gets direct guidance throughout the process.

Photography Tip:
Use the NPF rule to determine your shutter speed for sharper stars. It provides a more accurate result than the traditional 500 rule by accounting for your camera and lens setup.

Learn more and reserve your spot:
https://www.wildscapeadventure.com/mastering-the-night-sky

04/01/2026

The Wild in Yellowstone: Grizzly Bears in April

March sightings mark the return of grizzlies. Discover April behavior, cub activity, and how to photograph Yellowstone’s most iconic predator.

03/13/2026

Winter conditions continue across Yellowstone’s northern range heading into the weekend.

According to NOAA, both Gardiner and Cooke City are expecting active weather, with snowfall likely at higher elevations and across the northeastern portion of the park.

Gardiner, Montana – Winter Storm Watch (Saturday 6 AM to 11 PM)
• Rain and snow showers today with gusts up to 30 mph
• Rain and snow tonight with temperatures near 40°
• Snow developing Saturday afternoon
• Around 1 inch possible Saturday night
• Cooler conditions Sunday with a chance of snow showers

Cooke City, Montana – Winter Storm Warning (Now through Sunday morning)
• Heavy snow today with around 6 inches expected
• Another 6 inches possible tonight with blowing snow
• Up to 9 inches possible Saturday
• Additional 2 inches Saturday night with wind chills near -15°
• Light snow possible Sunday

Storms like this can produce some of the most dramatic wildlife photography opportunities in Yellowstone. Animals like bison, coyotes, and bighorn sheep remain active during snowfall, creating striking scenes as snow collects on fur and horns.

Wildlife Photography Tip: Falling snow adds atmosphere and depth to wildlife images. Use continuous autofocus and prioritize the eye to maintain sharp focus through the snowflakes.

Learn more about photographing wildlife in Yellowstone with Wildscape Adventure.

03/12/2026

What are moose doing in Yellowstone right now?

Late February and early March represent a transitional period for moose in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

During this time:

• Bulls have shed their antlers and are conserving energy after the fall rut
• Moose rely heavily on woody browse like willow and aspen
• Movement is limited to reduce energy expenditure in snow
• Pregnant cows are carrying calves that will be born in late spring

Late winter may feel quiet, but biologically the park is already preparing for renewal.

Wildlife Photography Tip: Moose are large animals with dark coats, which can easily be underexposed against snow. Slightly increasing exposure compensation can help retain detail in their fur.

Join me in the field and learn how seasonal behavior shapes wildlife photography throughout the year.

03/05/2026

This coyote is celebrating.

Snow is returning to Yellowstone’s northern range today, bringing a small but welcome addition to a winter that has been noticeably light on snowpack.

Gardiner, Montana Forecast

Today
Snow showers with a high near 41°. West-northwest winds 6–8 mph.
Up to 1 inch of snow possible.

Tonight
Snow showers mainly before 9 PM. Low around 28°.
Less than 1 inch additional accumulation.

Friday
30% chance of snow showers before 3 PM.
Mostly sunny with a high near 44°.

Friday Night
Partly cloudy with a low around 24°.

Cooke City, Montana Forecast

Today
Snow developing after 1 PM with a high near 31°.
Around 2 inches of snow expected.

Tonight
Snow mainly before 1 AM. Low near 15°.
About 1 inch possible.

Friday
Snow likely after 11 AM with a high near 30°.
Less than ½ inch additional accumulation.

Friday Night
30% chance of snow before 11 PM. Low near 12°.

While these totals are not large, every bit of snow matters this year.

Snowpack plays a critical role in Yellowstone’s ecosystem. The gradual melting of winter snow feeds rivers, replenishes soil moisture, supports spring vegetation, and ultimately sustains the wildlife that depend on these landscapes.

A fresh blanket of snow also creates some of the best conditions for wildlife photography, clean landscapes, soft light, and animals moving across the open valleys.

This coyote seems to approve.

03/03/2026

Spring is just around the corner.

The sage is beginning to green up. Bison calves, the “red dogs," are arriving. Yellowstone is waking up.

This is one of our favorite times of year.

With spring comes:

Wild Yellowstone Tours – Prime wildlife activity as bears emerge, elk shift movement patterns, bison calve, and predators stay active in the valleys.

Call of the Wild Workshop – Immersive wildlife photography during one of the most dynamic seasons in the park.

Yellowstone at Night Tours – The galactic core is returning to our night skies. Soon we’ll be back out capturing stars over thermal basins and mountain silhouettes. Yellowstone at Night tours.

Spring in Yellowstone isn’t subtle. It’s energetic. It’s unpredictable. It’s alive.

We can’t wait.

If you’ve been thinking about joining us this year, this is your sign.

02/27/2026

Today, I have a male pronghorn for you.

Late February into early March is a season of quiet transition for pronghorn. The rut is long behind them, winter is still holding on, and survival is the priority.

Right now, mature males are:

• Conserving energy after the fall breeding season
• Maintaining winter group structures
• Feeding selectively on sagebrush and forbs
• Preparing physiologically for spring horn growth

Unlike deer and elk, pronghorn don’t shed their entire horn structure. They shed the outer sheath each year. In late winter, that sheath will drop, and new growth begins almost immediately. By late spring, those horns will already be taking shape again.

This time of year also highlights something remarkable about pronghorn, they are built for open country. Their oversized eyes give them nearly 320-degree vision, and they remain incredibly alert even in the quietest moments.

Late winter photography with pronghorn offers:

• Clean, minimalist backgrounds
• Soft neutral tones
• Strong profile compositions
• Excellent opportunity to highlight facial markings

Wildlife Photography Tip: Pronghorn portraits work beautifully in profile. Their facial stripes and horn curve create natural leading lines.

It may feel like a slow season, but this is the bridge between survival and renewal.