Wildlife at Grand Teton
Ah, Grand Teton National Park—the crown jewel of Wyoming, a paradise for nature lovers, and a place where the moose outnumber the Wi-Fi signals. For photographers, it’s a goldmine of opportunities, especially if your idea of a perfect shot involves animals that either blend seamlessly into their surroundings or glare at you with palpable disdain. Today, we’re focusing on two icons of the park: the majestic moose and the elusive owl. Both are photogenic, both are unpredictable, and both will test your patience and lung capacity if things go south.
The Moose: 1,000 Pounds of Attitude and Antlers
Let’s start with the moose. These towering herbivores are essentially nature’s SUVs—massive, surprisingly fast, and likely to charge if you get too close. The key to photographing a moose is distance. Preferably a distance that requires a telescope, but since most of us aren’t NASA, a telephoto lens will have to do.
Where to Find Them:
Moose are fond of riverbanks, willow flats, and any place you least expect them. The best time to spot them is early morning or late evening when they emerge to eat, drink, and judge you silently from the bushes. If you’re really lucky, you might find a bull moose posing majestically in front of the Tetons, antlers backlit by the rising sun. If you’re less lucky, you might find one trotting directly at you because you got a little too ambitious with that 200mm lens.
Pro Tip: Moose are not fans of paparazzi. If a moose begins to paw the ground, sway its head, or display what can only be described as "resting moose face," it’s time to reconsider your life choices. Back away slowly, maintain eye contact, and try not to scream.
The Owls: Feathers, Fury, and Fantastic Side-Eye
Photographing owls is a lot like online dating: they’re either catfishing you with misleading hoots, or they’ve seen you and decided you’re not worth the effort. Owls in Grand Teton are most active at dawn and dusk, favoring forests, marshes, and places where branches can camouflage their disdain for humans.
Where to Find Them:
Listen for hoots and look for pellets—the charming regurgitated remnants of their last meal. If you spot an owl, do not shriek, “OMG, it’s an owl!” as this may cause the owl to fly away and the nearby birdwatchers to judge you mercilessly.
The Shot:
Owls have an uncanny ability to rotate their heads 270 degrees, making them ideal subjects for portrait-style shots—assuming they’re not just presenting you with tail feathers. Aim for eye-level shots that capture their hypnotic gaze. If you get one mid-flight, congratulations, you can now retire because it’s never getting better than that.
Pro Tip: Avoid flash. Nothing says “rookie” like accidentally blinding an owl and becoming a legend among park rangers for all the wrong reasons.
Safety First, Photos Second
The most important rule of wildlife photography in Grand Teton is simple: don’t become the next news story. Maintain safe distances, because getting yelled at by a park ranger could be the least of your problems. And for the love of Ansel Adams, do not attempt a moose selfie. Your Instagram followers aren’t worth the trampling.
So pack your gear, your patience, and possibly some bear spray. With a little luck, you’ll return with incredible shots of moose and owls—and, most importantly, all of your limbs intact. Happy snapping!