Tony's Takes Photography

Wildlife, landscape and weather photography

The Tetons in black and white

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The Teton's in Grand Teton National Park in black and white. (© Tony's Takes)
The Teton’s in Grand Teton National Park in black and white. (© Tony’s Takes)

During our visit in July to this amazing place, smoke from wildfires to the west made capturing the majesty and color of the Teton range nearly impossible. The haze was overwhelming, obscuring much of the detail of the jagged peaks and rendering everything “gray.”

What was I to do with some not-so-great pics?

Well, I took some artistic liberty. This image is actually three shots stitched together to create a wide panorama. I then converted it to black and white and increased the grain considerably, giving it an “old time” feel.

You can almost imagine the first settlers coming to the area in their covered wagons as they headed west and hoping they would not have to cross those imposing peaks.

Early morning at Schwabacher Landing

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A beautiful summer's morning at Schwabacher's Landing in Grand Teton National Park. (© Tony's Takes)
A beautiful summer’s morning at Schwabacher’s Landing in Grand Teton National Park. (© Tony’s Takes)

There are three, iconic spots in Grand Teton National Park for taking pictures of the Tetons. I had hoped to photograph sunrises and sunsets at all three during our recent visit, just as I had done before.

However, oppressive wildfire smoke dominated the skies, oftentimes almost entirely preventing seeing the mountains unless you were right up to them. Last Thursday evening a light rain shower served to tamp down the smoke so I hoped Friday morning would give me at least one chance – and it did.

It was a tough call as to which of the three spots to go to (the other two being Mormon Row and Oxbow Bend). I opted for Schwabacher Landing because it is the closest of the three to those majestic peaks, thus helping to mitigate the effects of the lingering smoke.

Plus, there is something about early morning at this spot that I just love. Not many folks go there early and it is a nice walk along the banks of the pond with lots of spots to just soak in the view and take pictures.

Schwabacher’s Landing in Grand Teton National Park

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I’m back after a week in Yellowstone and Grand Teton. The weather was a bit less than ideal – even some snow! – but it was a fantastic trip with lots of sights and of course pictures to share.

This image was taken a few days ago as the family and I visited this spot we had not been to before. It was gorgeous with a little creek stemming off of the Snake River moving through, the forest and of course the Tetons in the background.

We took a nice little three mile hike through the area enjoying one of the few periods of sun we had during our time up there. Next time I am up there I must visit this same spot at sunrise and / or sunset as I know it would be amazing.

A beautiful scene at Schwabacher's Landing in Grand Teton National Park. (© Tony’s Takes)
A beautiful scene at Schwabacher’s Landing in Grand Teton National Park. (© Tony’s Takes)

Reflections of the Tetons at Oxbow Bend

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It took me three sunrises to capture this image last week as smoke from wildfires in Washington and British Columbia was creating a great deal of haze in the sky on the first two.

On the last morning there still was some smoke lingering which you can see but at least it eased enough to get some pretty decent shots.   The calm waters of Oxbow Bend allowed the freshly sunlit Tetons to be reflected in the water.

Scroll down for more scenic photos from Grand Teton National Park.

The Tetons at sunrise as seen from the infamous Oxbow Bend on the Snake River. © Tony’s Takes
The Tetons at sunrise as seen from the infamous Oxbow Bend on the Snake River. © Tony’s Takes

Prairie dog camouflage

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This little guy seemed to think a few blades of grass would be enough to hide him at Grand Teton National Park. Didn’t work so well.  For most folks in the west these rodents are considered pests but for some others, they can actually be quite a tourist attraction. They are kind of cute – if you can set aside the diseases they can carry and the damage they do.  😉

A Prairie Dog tries to conceal itself in some grass. © Tony’s Takes
A Prairie Dog tries to conceal itself in some grass. © Tony’s Takes

Osprey in flight with the Tetons in the background

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Pics of osprey were some of the better images to come from the trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, probably because they seemed to be quite prevalent so I had tons of opportunity (versus a single black bear and a single grizzly).  This male was from a nesting pair at the south end of Grand Teton NP and he and his mate gave me quite a show.

Scroll down for more pics of these osprey and others in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

A male osprey flies by with the Teton Mountains in the background. © Tony’s Takes
A male osprey flies by with the Teton Mountains in the background. © Tony’s Takes

Barn on Mormon Row near Grand Teton National Park

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One of the Moulton Family barns in this historic location first settled in the late 19th century.  Pretty rugged country and the winters had to be absolutely brutal for early settlers.  Feel free to share.  (Read more here)

Scroll down for more scenic photos from Grand Teton National Park.

Remains of a Mormon settlement in Teton National Park. © Tony’s Takes
Remains of a Mormon settlement in Teton National Park. © Tony’s Takes

Small things in a big park

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Taken at Grand Teton National Park just after sunrise, the small, fine details of this Cow Parsnip were attention grabbing.  The plant is also called Indian Celery or Pushki and is great forage for deer, elk, moose, and bear. In the background you can vaguely make out the Snake River and the reflection of the nearby hills. 

Cow Parsnip is extraordinarily detailed. © Tony’s Takes
Cow Parsnip is extraordinarily detailed. © Tony’s Takes

Red Tailed Hawk flyover

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Taken this afternoon at Grand Teton National Park.  Upon arrival at the park we went for a drive just to get our bearings as we had never been here before.  It wasn’t long before the driving stopped and the picture taking commenced as this gorgeous raptor flew overhead.

A Red Tailed Hawk flies overhead in Grand Teton National Park. © Tony’s Takes
A Red Tailed Hawk flies overhead in Grand Teton National Park. © Tony’s Takes