A Winter Wonderland in Yellowstone
January 26, 2025
Yellowstone National Park in winter is nothing short of a magical transformation. Snow glistens like diamonds, blanketing the earth in pristine white and muffling the usual sounds of the great outdoors. The stillness and serenity of this frozen landscape demand patience, endurance, skill, and a bit of luck—qualities that all came into play during today’s wildlife photography shoot.
The Call of the Wild: A -27°F Start
The day began in an unforgettable way: with temperatures plunging to -27°F. This was a cold I had never experienced before, and every breath came with a reminder of the harshness of the environment. Ice crystals formed inside my nostrils with each inhale, crackling like an old-fashioned ice tray being twisted open.
As we entered the park at 0700, the crescent moon hung low in the sky, casting a soft glow over the snow-blanketed landscape. It was a surreal scene, the kind of winter beauty that belongs in a dream or a painting.
Traveling through Yellowstone’s interior took over an hour by snow coach, a slow and deliberate journey into the park’s frozen heart. I shared this adventure with three fellow photographers—Larry, Jeff, and Curtis. Our expedition was led by the seasoned wildlife photographer Barrett Hedges, with Darren skillfully navigating our snow coach through the icy terrain. Ours was one of the first vehicles to enter, granting us the privilege of witnessing the park’s untouched morning stillness.
Though the road was familiar from my visit the previous year, the landscape had transformed. The snowfall this season was more abundant, draping Yellowstone in a thick, pristine white coat. My 2024 trip had provided some great images, but the winter conditions had been uncharacteristically light. This year, however, the park looked as it should—wild, harsh, and breathtakingly beautiful.
A Day of Remarkable Encounters
Yellowstone’s wildlife is always a highlight, but today was nothing short of epic. As dawn broke over the Hayden Valley, the howls of the Wapiti Wolf Pack reverberated through the frozen air, setting the tone for the day. The pack, numbering around 23, moved as one, their tracks weaving a story in the snow. Seeing these gray wolves in their element was a privilege few ever experience.
Then, the howling began. A haunting, ethereal chorus rising through the cold air. The sound was eerie, softened by the snow and the thick fog hovering just above the ground. It was the kind of moment that sends a shiver down your spine, not from the cold, but from the sheer, raw magic of witnessing nature in its most untamed form.
A Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) carefully steps in the tracks set by the pack leader. It’s unmistakable shadow cast on the pristine snowy landscape.
The day’s wildlife encounters didn’t stop there. Near Yellowstone Lake, I spotted a lone red fox trudging through the deep snow, its fiery coat a stark contrast to the white surroundings. A solitary coyote crossed the frozen Yellowstone River with quiet determination, while along the Madison River, trumpeter swans floated gracefully, their white feathers blending seamlessly with the icy landscape. And, of course, the iconic bison—frost clinging to their fur like nature’s armor against the cold—roamed the park, embodying the resilience required to survive such an unforgiving climate.
A red fox crosses a snow-covered meadow near Yellowstone Lake.
Challenges in the Cold
Shooting in such extreme cold came with its challenges, the most pressing being keeping my fingers warm. Dexterity was essential for adjusting camera settings, and numb fingers made even simple tasks a test of endurance. Condensation from my exhaled breath quickly turned to ice on the back of my camera and even in my beard. Despite the numbing cold and ice-cold fingertips that sometimes left me uncertain if I was even pressing the shutter button, I couldn’t stop shooting.
Photographing the trumpeter swans was another challenge. Their brilliant white feathers against the snowy riverbank required precise exposure adjustments to avoid losing detail. Double-checking the histogram was crucial to ensuring I wasn’t overexposing the whites. To ensure the images reflected the purity of the snow, I added a +1 exposure compensation—a critical adjustment that allowed the brilliance of the landscape to shine through.
The Shot of the Day
The pinnacle of the day came when the Wapiti Pack crossed the frozen riverbed, heading directly toward my position. It was a moment of pure exhilaration. With my Canon R5, 400mm lens, and 1.4x extender, I was able to fill the frame with these magnificent creatures as they moved with grace and purpose. Seeing them so close, following each other’s tracks in a perfect line, was a sight I’ll never forget—a testament to patience and the magic of being in the right place at the right time.
The Art of Observation
As a photographer, I strive to connect deeply with the natural world. I don’t just stand and shoot; I often drop to the ground, seeking a unique perspective that brings the viewer into the scene. Today was no different. Watching wildlife for extended periods teaches you to anticipate their movements, their behaviors, and their subtle cues. It’s a skill honed over years of observation and one that paid dividends during this shoot. Knowing when to expect movement allowed me to frame scenes perfectly, ready to capture fleeting moments that tell a story.
Reflections on the Day
Yellowstone in winter is a place of profound beauty, resilience, and connection. Personally, today’s shoot reaffirmed my deep bond with nature and the importance of immersing oneself fully in the environment. Professionally, it was an opportunity to challenge myself in extreme conditions, refining my craft and deepening my understanding of wildlife behavior and photography.
The experience also served as a reminder of the importance of patience. From waiting for the wolves to move to enduring the bitter cold, patience was rewarded time and again with moments of unparalleled beauty.
A Story of Survival and Wonder
Through today’s images, I hope to convey the story of Yellowstone’s winter wildlife—a story of survival, resilience, and the quiet magic of nature. The park in winter is not just a wonderland; it’s a testament to the tenacity of the creatures that call it home and the photographers who brave the cold to document their world.
As the day drew to a close and temperatures climbed just above zero, I couldn’t help but reflect on the privilege of experiencing such a place in its rawest form. This shoot will stay with me, not just as a collection of images, but as a memory of a day when patience, endurance, and skill came together in one of the most magical places on earth.
