Grand Teton National Park, located in the northwest part of Wyoming and just north of Jackson, is the much smaller neighboring park to sprawling, world famous Yellowstone National Park which is approximately 8 times larger than Grand Teton NP. The smaller size of Grand Teton NP allows the visitor a more intimate visit with the features of the park, including the abundant wildlife. You simply don't have to venture very far to see something different or interesting or to find necessary amenities. I had the pleasure of getting to know Grand Teton NP well during a 5-day visit as a student in a wildlife photography workshop sponsored by the Nikonians - http://www.nikonians.org and conducted by wildlife photographer, Jim Stamates - http://www.stamates.com - in the first week of October 2012. The second half of this gallery of images chronicles some of my encounters with wildlife during the workshop. Grand Teton NP and the Teton Range are very colorful. Normally, by the first week of October, the Teton mountains would be snow-capped and the Aspens and other trees would be in their peak fall colors. Unfortunately, in 2012 extreme drought throughout the west caused an early fall with weaker leaf colors and smoke from many large fires in the west created less than ideal sky conditions on certain days. Those conditions are evident in this gallery of images. Late September and early October seem to offer the best visit experience to this wonderful place.
gallery pages:  1  2  3  >  
< 1 of 23 >
Click on image above to enlarge it if desired (click on "Close" (far top-right corner) of the enlargement page to return to here). Click on thumbnail images (left hand column) or page/image navigation arrow "Next>" above the thumbnails and images to navigate to different pages or images. This picturesque image (heavily polarized and edited to negate some of the smokey sky conditions) shows a portion of Jackson Lake with peaks of the Teton Range in the background, viewed from the west end of Signal Mountain. Nikon D700 and Nikkor 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR lens at 98mm. October 6, 2012
The historic "Moulton Barn" with "Grand Teton", the tallest peak in the Teton Range (upper right) in the background. Part of a cluster of structures still standing within the park from the late nineteenth century when Mormons, sent from the Salt Lake Valley, established new communities to support their expanding population. Homesteaders established farms in this area because of the relatively fertile soil and the availability of water despite the harsh winter conditions of Jackson Hole. Nikon D700 and Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8G lens at 70mm. October 5, 2012.
The Chapel of the Transfiguration, in the community of "Moose" (now Moose Junction, where Route 191 and Teton Park Road converge), with the "Cathedral" group of Teton peaks in the background. The chapel, which was built in 1925, is owned and operated by St. John's Episcopal Church in Jackson. The chapel was originally built to provide a place of worship for guests and employees of the ranches north of Jackson along the base of the Teton Range. Nikon D700 and Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8G lens at 56mm. October 5, 2012.
Looking northwest across Jenny Lake towards Mt. Moran and other peaks of the Teton Range. Nikon D700 and Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8G lens at 70mm. October 3, 2012
A popular, well-published iconic view in the Grand Teton National Park; the view of Mt. Moran from Oxbow Bend looking across the Snake River. Seen here a flock of Canada Geese are on final landing approach. The famous Snake River's origin is in Yellowstone National Park. From there it flows south into Jackson Lake (see image #1) and then south from a dam through the remainder of Grand Teton National Park. The view seen here, normally spectacular at this time of year with snow in the mountains and the Aspens in their full fall glory, is hindered due to smoke from the many large forest fires in the west and an early fall with muted colors due to extreme drought (part of the reason for the river's low water level in several of this gallery's images.) That said, still very pleasing to the eye and a great spot for viewing wildlife. Nikon D700 and Nikkor 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR lens at 116mm. October 4, 2012.
Schwabacher Landing along the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park is considered by photo enthusiasts to be one of the prime photographic opportunities in Grand Teton NP. (I can find no information anywhere about why this place is called Schwabacher Landing.) In early morning light the reflection of the Teton Mountains in the still, flat water of the Snake River is a majestic sight. Photographers by the dozens flock to this place in pre-dawn darkness to prepare for first light which illuminates the Teton Range in the background. Moisture in the air forms rapidly-changing cloud formations, adding interest to the scene. The image is constantly changing with each passing moment as morning light performs its magic. This is a scene from the path to the river (see the caption below the next image for more information). Nikon D700 and Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8G lens at 52mm. October 5, 2012.
So where is Schwabacher Landing? It's 16 miles north of Jackson along Highway 89/191. It's one of four locations in Grand Teton National Park where the Snake River is easily accessed by canoers and kayakers. There’s a small gravel road on your left (driving northbound), where you’ll see a wooden sign: “Schwabacher’s Landing Road.” This road dead-ends at a gravel parking lot (the arrow in the picture on the left points to the parking lot) from which you have a short hike to the famous vantage points along the river (arrow on the right). In this panoramic image above taken in late morning light, Schwabacher Landing might not look like much of a great photo opportunity. However, it must be seen at or near sunrise to be fully appreciated. This image was taken from an overlook along Highway 89/191. Nikon D700 and Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8G lens. Image is a panoramic composite of 5 images, taken in portrait mode at 70mm focal length and digitally stitched together. October 7, 2012.
Another Schwabacher Landing image taken about 100 yards north from image number 6 just after sunrise. Nikon D700 and Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8G lens; a panoramic composite of 6 images taken in portrait orientation at 52mm focal length and stitched together. October 5, 2012.
A pre-dawn Schwabacher Landing image (heavily cropped) taken to illustrate the effect of the sun first illuminating Grand Teton mountain and neighboring peaks long before sunlight reaches the foreground which is still quite dark. The contrast of light here, along with the red glow of morning light on the mountain tops, along with the scenery, are some of the reasons this place is so popular with photographers. Image taken from same location as previous image. Normally at this time of year there would be snow on the mountains and more fall color. Unfortunately not so in 2012. Nikon D700 and Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8G lens at 48mm. October 5, 2012.
Click on image above to enlarge it if desired (click on "Close" (far top-right corner) of the enlargement page to return to here). Click on thumbnail images (left hand column) or page/image navigation arrow "Next>" above the thumbnails and images to navigate to different pages or images.

This picturesque image (heavily polarized and edited to negate some of the smokey sky conditions) shows a portion of Jackson Lake with peaks of the Teton Range in the background, viewed from the west end of Signal Mountain. Nikon D700 and Nikkor 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR lens at 98mm. October 6, 2012
" above the thumbnails and images to navigate to different pages or images. This picturesque image (heavily polarized and edited to negate some of the smokey sky conditions) shows a portion of Jackson Lake with peaks of the Teton Range in the background, viewed from the west end of Signal Mountain. Nikon D700 and Nikkor 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR lens at 98mm. October 6, 2012" href="javascript:openLB(2240104018,'',XLarge,'',1024,682);">Click on image above to enlarge it if desired (click on "Close" (far top-right corner) of the enlargement page to return to here). Click on thumbnail images (left hand column) or page/image navigation arrow "Next>" above the thumbnails and images to navigate to different pages or images. This picturesque image (heavily polarized and edited to negate some of the smokey sky conditions) shows a portion of Jackson Lake with peaks of the Teton Range in the background, viewed from the west end of Signal Mountain. Nikon D700 and Nikkor 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR lens at 98mm. October 6, 2012
Click on image above to enlarge it if desired (click on "Close" (far top-right corner) of the enlargement page to return to here). Click on thumbnail images (left hand column) or page/image navigation arrow "Next>" above the thumbnails and images to navigate to different pages or images.

This picturesque image (heavily polarized and edited to negate some of the smokey sky conditions) shows a portion of Jackson Lake with peaks of the Teton Range in the background, viewed from the west end of Signal Mountain. Nikon D700 and Nikkor 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR lens at 98mm. October 6, 2012
gallery pages:  1  2  3  >  
< 1 of 23 >