FCCP 2018 PhotoTour to Yellowstone National Park & the Grand Tetons

Florida Center for Creative Photography

PhotoTour to Yellowstone National Park

September 19 - September 25, 2018

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/2/2/d/highres_11896941.jpeg

This tour will concentrate more on the unique and varied wildlife in Yellowstone National Park. The group will visit all the major Hot Springs and Geyser Basins. However, the emphasis will be on wildlife and we reserve the right to change the itinerary to enable the group to see/photograph some of the rarer mammals such as Grizzly Bear, Moose, Big Horn Sheep, Black Bear and Wolves. Yellowstone National Park is America's oldest (http://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm) and most famous National Park founded in 1871. YNP is famous for it's geysers and large mammals. Photographers on the tour will get to see both of them up-close and personal.

On our list of expected mammals are bison, elk, moose, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, wolf, coyote and even grizzly bear. A number of great birds are expected to be encountered as well, including Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Swainson's Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk and many others.

The 7day, 6 night PhotoTour will concentrate on YNP for the majority of the tour, with a side trip to southwest Montana and a ghost town and surrounding areas before a return flight from Bozeman. All the major geyser basins including Old Faithful, Firehole and Norris will be explored as well as the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. Detailed itinerary is below.

Day 1 | Bozeman and West Yellowstone, Montana

You'll be met on your incoming flight by guide/photographers Jeff and Theresa Donald . You'll have a short time to explore the city of Bozeman before we journey through Gallatin Valley on our way to West Yellowstone, Montana, the western gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Jeff know's this area extremely well, having lived in Bozeman and taught at the university in the early '80's. He spent up to 6 weeks each summer in the '90's photographing a documentary about the Birds of Yellowstone and producing videos for the NPS.

Upon arrival and check in, PhotoTour travelers will have several hours to get settled into their rooms and explore the town of West Yellowstone. Dinner is as a group and after dinner the group will see a slide show on Yellowstone and will have a Q & A session.

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/4/1/4/600_443017908.jpeg

Day 2 | Yellowstone National Park

Today we'll explore Norris Geyser Basin and the western edges of the park. The geysers and hot springs are famous for diversity and unworldly colors. Next we travel via vans along the road leading to the Northeast entrance to the park. We frequently see Bighorn Sheep, Wolves and Grizzly Bears along this route. Elk are common and we may see Parrie Falcons and other raptors as well.

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/5/b/2/600_443018322.jpeg

Day 3 | Yellowstone National Park

Early morning drive to shoot the sunrise and then return to hotel for breakfast. Mid morning we'll travel south along the western portion of the Grand Loop Road and stop at Roaring Mountain and other sites along the way. There will be many opportunities to see Elk along this route. Mammoth Hot Springs is our next stop and we'll spend several hours photographing one of the more active areas in the park. Time permitting we may travel north towards Tower Junction and Lamar Valley in search of Big Horn Sheep and Mountain Goats if the conditions are good.

We'll lunch at Canyon village and then tour the surrounding area, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Plenty of chances to shoot both the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. Next we head south into Hayden Valley and we'll again be presented with good opportunities to see wolves, bison, grizzly, coyotes and more. Time permitting we reach Fishing Bridge and the shore of Yellowstone Lake. Here we'll watch for Moose, Wolves and some of the rarer birds in the area. Return to West Yellowstone and dinner West Yellowstone.

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/7/1/1/600_443018673.jpeg

Day 4 | Yellowstone National Park

Today is game and geyser day. We'll explore the park from Old Faithful to Lake in hopes of seeing Moose, Bison, Elk, Wolf, Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Coyote, Bighorn Sheep and other smaller mammals. We'll also be stopping at the Mud Volcano and Sulfur Cauldron for a look at another unique type of thermal feature. We'll shoot a sunset before returning to West yellowstone and dinner as a group

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/4/4/a/600_443017962.jpeg

Day 5 | Yellowstone National Park

We have a leisurely start and we'll spend the day looking for important wildlife we may have missed. Generally we spend the most time looking for grizzly bears and wolves. We'll also stop for fall colors which should be at their peak. Lunch in the park and few stops at the lesser photographed water falls and geysers. Return to West Yellowstone and dinner as a group.

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/5/8/5/600_443018277.jpeg

Day 6 | Yellowstone National Park

Today we'll explore some of the surrounding areas of the park and this may include visits to Quake Lake, Hebgen Lake, Virginia City and nearby ghost town. Return will be along the western loop road and our last dinner together will be in West Yellowstone.

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/7/4/7/600_443018727.jpeg

Day 7 | West Yellowstone and Bozeman, MT

Pack for our return to Bozeman and perhaps a little site seeing for some of the travelers. If time permits we'll stop at the Museum of the Rockies and perhaps get a glimpse of the photographs of early explorer William Henry Jackson. Travelers will depart from Bozeman International Airport.

Most, if not all of the activities and photo opportunities will be within 300 yards or less of the side of the road or the parking lot at the geyser basins etc. This is a very age friendly trip in regard to the distances traveled on foot. However, almost all of YNP is 6000 Ft and higher in elevation. Those with any physical limitations are urged to consult with their physician about the suitability of the trip for their specific conditions. Theresa is a retired nurse and can offer limited advice and treatment throughout the tour.

Gateway Airport is Bozeman, Montana. Please arrange your airfare after receiving receipt for your deposit. Arrival window in Bozeman is between 12 Noon and 4 PM on September 19, 2018. Search Priceline (http://www.priceline.com/default.asp) or Orbitz (http://www.orbitz.com/) for airfares from your home city.

As an added convenience, Jeff & Theresa will be happy to transport all your camera gear when they drive out. There is no additional charge for this service.

Expert instruction is provided throughout the PhotoTour. If we have a rain day, instruction in various editing software will be provided. Critiques of your photos are also available.

The registration fee of $3,299 (double occupancy) covers all ground transportation, 6 nights lodging in West Yellowstone, MT, 6 breakfasts, admission fee to YNP, pickup and return transportation to the airport in Bozeman.

Not covered are any incidentals, lunches, dinners, roundtrip airfare, tips. Please add $500 for single occupancy. There are several discounts available. If you have traveled on a prior FCCP PhotoTour, you may deduct 10% from the tour cost.

A deposit of $900 per person is required to hold your spot. The balance is due no later than July 1, 2018. After that date an administrative fee of $250 will be deducted from your refund. No refunds within 14 days of the start of the tour unless the space can be filled.

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/4/7/f/600_443018015.jpeg

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/4/2/9/600_443017929.jpeg

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/7/7/7/600_443018775.jpeg

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/7/4/7/600_443018727.jpeg

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/5/e/f/600_443018383.jpeg