Another Around the World Tacoma

GTNP is definitely impressive. The contrast between the 'hole' (valley) and the mountains is just stunning.

Definitely!

 

Thank you. And I appreciate that compliment. A lot of duds in there, but a gem or two comes to light every so often. My original main hope was that I would have a higher 'keeper' ratio with the new setup, but the more I learn about it (now that I have my hands on one) I have realized that I need to set my sights a bit higher! This little handheld machine is superb. The things it can do right in the camera are astonishing. And the 3D tracking is unreal. Funny you mention bison, we were at the Ranger Museum and a bison was laying down right next to the road. I pulled out the new setup for the first time (still not fully set up yet, but the basics are done) and I snapped (5) photos of the old bull. It instantly (and I mean instantly) found his eye, and held the focus point on the eye even as I moved the camera around. All (5) pictures look crystal clear on the back LCD. Long story short, we shall see what the future holds!

Luta has to be my best photograph ever. The clarity is just next level. I still can't believe they came out so well.

Being behind the camera while photographing her was something else. I was there, and she was there, but with my eye up to the viewfinder I was RIGHT there. It is still similar to looking at a picture, but your mind quietly knows that you are physically close, as well as visually. It was a closeness one doesn't normally experience with a 'wild' animal. It does something to you. You enter into their world, even if only for a moment. You see, with a sudden clarity, that they are far more than just a mere animal. They too have needs and wants, as well as a strong desire to live.

I recommend it to everyone. A solid pair of binoculars (I use Nikon M7's in 10x42) is a great (and much cheaper) tool that allows one to experience that same closeness.

I was surprised as well. Definitely a keeper, even though the trail out there is a bit tight (nothing extreme).

Her feet are tough, but she busted open her toe this morning on the way to Monument Geyser Basin (a geyser basin up in the mountains, without signs or guardrails, for a more intimate encounter with the bubbling and hissing earth). We somehow misplaced, or forgot, a pair of shoes for her, but she ain't complaining.

Our bison interest was thoroughly fulfilled last summer out on Antelope Island, an island out in the Great Salt Lake. There is a herd of maybe 100 (I am guessing here) that live out there year round. We would see them frequently on our bike rides. We even had to ride through the majority of them on one ride. Thankfully no issues. Haha

And just for good measure, her other side:

Red-tailed Hawk - Luta by Michael Rickerd, on Flickr