WESTERN MAMMALS: PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS

BADGER

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:01:06 GMT

]]>This Badger seemed to be marking its territory. We saw it in Lamar Valley on the Northeast entrance road, near the bridge under construction. Yellowstone National Park.

BADGER

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:01:07 GMT

]]>The other Badger that showed up as we were watching the first one. A couple or rivals, we never figured out. They never crossed paths, and we weren't sure if they knew each other were there or not. Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park.

BEAVER

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:25:34 GMT

]]>We were exploring some of the areas in Central Montana and went to Browns Lake Recreational Area. This Beaver was there and was busy. Couldn't resist.

BIGHORN SHEEP

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:56:02 GMT

]]>These, while quite impressive on their own, are not the leader of the pack. (see next photo.) They are shedding their winter coats for the summer season. Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park.

BIGHORN SHEEP

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:56:33 GMT

]]>This is the leader of this pack. He was just sitting in the back of the herd looking at 15 photographers snapping away at him. Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park.

BISON

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:22:46 GMT

]]>This bison was near the Geyser Basin not far from Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park.

BISON

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:22:50 GMT

]]>This bison was shoveling the snow away from the top of the grass to eat. I looked at the whole herd, and noticed they all had these ice beards.

BISON AND CALF

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 23:29:50 GMT

]]>Down in the lower area on the Madison River flats just outside of West Yellowstone, this calf kicks up her heels and has fun in the relative warmth of the spring. Her mother is the infamous X5 Bison, who is remotely controlled from a small office in Washington.

BISON AT LOWER GEYSER BASIN

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:06:18 GMT

]]>In a scene repeated many times in the warm spring (relatively for us Floridians, 48 degrees), Bison laze on a plain near Lower Geyser Basin. Yellowstone National Park.

BISON COW AND CALF

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 22:00:04 GMT

]]>There is only one way to get from one side of the Madison River to the other if you are a Bison. This cow and calf are crossing the Madison River just east of West Yellowstone. Yellowstone National Park.

BISON COW AND CALF

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 21:59:59 GMT

]]>Up on the high ground, and time to dry out and warm up. Remember that even in June, this river water is probably around 35 to 40 degrees. Madison River Plain, Yellowstone National Park.

BISON COW AND CALF

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 21:59:06 GMT

]]>Another Bison cow and calf that had already crossed the river are taking some time for a little grooming. Madison River Plain, Yellowstone National Park.

BISON COW AND CALF

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 21:59:07 GMT

]]>"Oh Momma that feels so good......" Madison River Plain, Yellowstone National Park.

BISON COW AND CALF

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 21:59:06 GMT

]]>"Who are you and why are you looking at me?" Kids of all ages and all species are always curious.... Madison River Plain, Yellowstone National Park.

BISON IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 23:30:58 GMT

]]>On this balmy 29 degree day in Yellowstone National Park near Twin Lakes, this scene is one that has been repeated thousands of times over the year, as Bison graze through the snow near a small stream.

BISON IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 22:00:13 GMT

]]>This scene is typical in the warm days of spring and summer along the Madison River coming in from West Yellowstone. One third of these animals are calves. Yellowstone National Park.

BLACK BEAR

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:51:16 GMT

]]>In the west, Black Bears can also be brown, and are called cinnamon color. Dunraven Road, Yellowstone National Park.

BULL ELK

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:09:49 GMT

]]>This Elk has its antlers coming in for the summer. Notice the velvet on them. Near Lower Yellowstone Falls, Yellowstone National Park.

COYOTE

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:23:03 GMT

]]>Coyote in Yellowstone National Park, near Geyser Basin, intently looking for something to eat after a snowfall overnight.

COYOTE

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:23:09 GMT

]]>This is the other of the pair of the coyotes at Geyser Basin. Yellowstone National Park.

COYOTE

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:02:07 GMT

]]>This is one of the dozen or so Coyotes we saw. I really thought for a moment he was looking for the UPS truck to deliver his daily package from the ACME Company. (You have to be old enough to remember Looney Tunes on Saturday morning to get that.) Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park.

COYOTE

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:28:26 GMT

]]>This Coyote was taken in Lamar Valley, and is obviously part of some tracking program. The ear tags are the orange and pale green and he has a collar with a tracking transmitter. He was not the least bit frightened of me as he walked past me about 15 feet away as he crossed the highway. Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park.

ELK

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:22:37 GMT

]]>These bull elk are in Yellowstone National Park. The rut is over and they will migrate to lower ground for the rest of the winter.

ELK

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:22:53 GMT

]]>This bull elk was walking along the Madison River just inside Yellowstone National Park.

ELK

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:22:55 GMT

]]>This bull was crossing the Madison River and bugling in the fall rut. Yellowstone National Park.

ELK

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:22:57 GMT

]]>This younger bull was wandering the streets of Estes Park, Colorado. Estes Park is the gateway town for Rocky Mountain National Park. Each fall during the rut, the herds of elk migrate into town, wandering around and stopping the tourists.

ELK

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:23:20 GMT

]]>Bull Elk, Grand Teton National Park. This guy was in classic rut mode, bellowing at his competition, and keeping his harem together.

ELK

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:23:14 GMT

]]>Elk cow on Madison River, Yellowstone National Park.

ELK AND CALF

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:02:58 GMT

]]>This female Elk and her calf were on the bank of the Madison River just east of the West Yellowstone entrance. This little one is not too old, and Mom has a tracking collar around her neck. Madison River, Yellowstone National Park.

ELK AND CALF

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:02:59 GMT

]]>Another Elk and her calf show up near the first one in the previous photo. Madison River, Yellowstone National Park.

ELK AND TWO CALVES

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:03:01 GMT

]]>I suspect that this Mother Elk is a suspicious of any small creature until she checks them out. Soon,she determines its ok, and the two Moms take in some grass while the little ones play. Madison River, Yellowstone National Park.

ELK AND TWO CALVES

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:03:51 GMT

]]>"Don't go too far, there are bears and wolves around..." she seems to be saying, as the two calves meet. Madison River, Yellowstone National Park.

ELK COW

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 22:00:59 GMT

]]>Sometimes you wish you had that super lens that is twice as long, twice as fast and half the weight of your 600mm F4. This is the opposite, when Robin had this female Elk walk up to her side of the truck and look at her. Even her 300 was a little tight, but an interesting study, nontheless. Madison River area, Yellowstone National Park.

GROUND SQUIRREL

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 22:01:20 GMT

]]>Another of the many Ground Squirrels that we saw, this one being on Slough Creek Road, just west of Lamar Valley. Yellowstone National Park.

GROUND SQUIRREL

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:28:26 GMT

]]>The look says it all.... "He said he loved me, where did he go? Will he ever come back?" One very pregnant ground squirrel surveys the grassland off Slough Creek Road. Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park.

GROUND SQUIRREL

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:29:04 GMT

]]>This one was watching from a sagebrush bush at least 2 feet off the ground. Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park.

MARMOT

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:51:20 GMT

]]>Red Bellied Marmot is what I think this is called. At Sheepeaters Cliff, Yellowstone National Park.

MARMOT

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 22:01:50 GMT

]]>This marmot was on a rock in Lamar Valley, just warming up and taking in the sights of all the tourists taking his picture. Yellowstone National Park.

MOOSE

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 13:45:57 GMT

]]>This appeared at first to be a pregnant female. She was panting, and constantly looking towards her groin area, as if in pain. But soon she got up and walked away, fooling all us moose experts. Moose Wilson Road, Grand Teton National Park.

MOOSE

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 12:11:02 GMT

]]>This yearling was also in the draw off Moose Wilson Road. Robin was shooting this one while I was taking the other one from last week. Moose Wilson Road, Grand Teton National Park.

MOOSE

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 22:02:15 GMT

]]>This young male was in the flats around Obsidian Creek off the northwest part of the loop road, south of Mammoth Hot Springs. Yellowstone National Park.

MOOSE

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:30:41 GMT

]]>This is the same Moose that Robin got last week, but I got it farther away with the big lens. In the area of the Beaver Ponds just north of Norris Geyser Basin. Yellowstone National Park.

MOUNTAIN SHEEP

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:01:06 GMT

]]>A young Mountain Sheep feeding in the area of the entrance to Lamar Valley. Yellowstone National Park.

MUSKRAT

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 14:40:52 GMT

]]>We thought at first this was a beaver until I saw it dive and noticed the tail was like a pencil instead of flat. Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Brigham City, Utah.

PRAIRIE DOG COLONY

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 13:42:58 GMT

]]>This group was just north of Moab, Utah on a hot, hot high desert day. Temperature was about 100, with heat shimmer starting to distort the photography. These guys look like they need their Foster Grants....

PRAIRIE DOG

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 13:46:27 GMT

]]>As always, I tend to become focused on using my long lenses when I shoot birds and critters. I was working hard to take the previous photo when I looked up to give my eyes a rest and this fella was on the side of the road watching me take his cousins photograph. He wanted to know if I needed any help, to which I said no. He said ok, have fun, and went back in his hole. At this time I realized that I had spent way too much time in the desert sun... Got a Diet Pepsi and left. Just off I-70 at the Moab Road interchange.

PRONGHORN

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:22:40 GMT

]]>This buck was found in northern New Mexico near Raton.

PRONGHORN

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:22:43 GMT

]]>This little one is in the same herd as the buck.

PRONGHORN ANTELOPE

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:54:32 GMT

]]>The only true antelope in North America, the Pronghorn is also very fast. My family and I watched a dominant male chase another interloper for almost a mile at speeds I can only estimate between 50 to 60 miles per hour. Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park.

PRONGHORN ANTELOPE CALVES

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 13:42:59 GMT

]]>These two were out in the sunshine, on this warm day. Both Moms were nearby keeping watch on them. Just off I-70 near Moab, Utah.

PRONGHORN ANTELOPE

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 13:42:59 GMT

]]>I wore out my welcome, even though I was 200 yards out. The Moms came and got them up and headed out away from me. Off I-70 just north of Moab, Utah.

RED FOX

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 23:32:14 GMT

]]>Anyone who has traveled around Yellowstone National Park has seen the jams of cars stopped on the sides of the roads when an animal is spotted. As I left the group of Bighorn Sheep shown last week, I spotted this fox sitting on a rock near the road. He was catching some of the diffuse sunlight on a relatively warm day. Yellowstone National Park. (1 of 5)

RED FOX

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 23:32:23 GMT

]]>He woke up and looked at us. (2 of 5)

RED FOX

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 23:27:27 GMT

]]>He climbed down off the rock, sitting and looking at us. He did a little grooming, licking his fur, and trying to wake up. (3 of 5)

RED FOX

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 23:27:28 GMT

]]>He walked behind a small knoll, out of my sight, and as he walked out, he had this squirrel in his mouth. He started walking toward me with the squirrel. (4 of 5)

RED FOX

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 23:27:31 GMT

]]>Utter Contempt. "Don't you even think about my squirrel...." He walked toward me with his catch, and for a moment, I had visions of being killed or maimed by an upset high performance poodle sized dog.... (5 of 5)

RED FOX

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:26:13 GMT

]]>This little one had made his burrow underneath an old abandoned railroad track just south of Drummond, Montana. Robin shot this photo and with her motordrive, got 5 frames off just before he disappeared.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:23:12 GMT

]]>Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado. This sheep was part of a herd on the road in the Big Thompson Canyon.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:23:32 GMT

]]>Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado. Big Thompson Canyon road.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:23:35 GMT

]]>Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:23:38 GMT

]]>Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado. Big Thompson Canyon.

WHITE TAILED DEER FAWN

gregstephens78@gmail.com (PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG STEPHENS) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:27:06 GMT

]]>We saw this newly born fawn trying to stand up in a brushy area. This was taken near Maxville, Montana.