Dubois, Wyoming

For those of you traveling to Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) this summer and want to add a true cowboy, small town experience, don't miss the quaint western community of Dubois, Wyoming. (Population 971 from the 2010 census.) 

"Where real cowboys work and play." 

  

Dubois, (pronounced dew-boyz) is only a short, breathtaking drive east over the 9,695' Togwotee Pass on US Route 26 and well worth the trip. Whether you have a day or longer there are plenty of things to do for the whole family.

Spend time fly-fishing dry flies or nymphs for Browns, Rainbows and Cutthroat on the Wind River, a classic mountain stream that runs parallel to the highway with easy access. Or spend time in town at one of the yummy eateries, unique gift shops or friendly watering holes. Say hello to Bill, an icon of the old west and long time resident. Tell him I sent you.

However my favorite place to visit is the Silver Sage Gallery on Main Street (http://www.silver-sage-gallery.com/) Just park and ask anyone where you can find internationally known western artist Tom Lucas and equally renowned artist Gary Kelmig, owners of the establishment. Sit for a spell and listen to histories about the 14 artists represented by the gallery and shop the exceptional, exclusive work of sculptors, potters, jewelry makers and photographers. Take home a lasting memory of your visit.

If you are still looking for something to do, Friday night Dubois hosts a rowdy rodeo at the Clarence Allison Arena. Photograph the rodeo clowns, barrel racers, bull riding and cowboy characters honing their ranch style craft.

The Dubois Museum, a living history museum, is a great place to discover times gone by (http://www.duboismuseum.org). Make sure to ask about the summer interpretive program series and you may be lucky enough to tour Sheep Eater Indian bighorn sheep traps, teepee rings, petroglyph sites and tie hack ruins.

If it's wildlife viewing that brings you to town, start your journey at the National Bighorn Sheep Center (http://www.bighorn.org/) where you can learn the biology of the species then wander the gift shop to bring home a bighorn inspired souvenir.

Looking for a way to stretch your legs? Find solitude hiking the granite domes or craggy 13,000' peaks of the Wind River Range. Or take an easy stroll through the town park for peace and quiet.

You will find a number of places to rest your head for a good nights sleep. There is a KOA and other RV parks in the area. Many historic ranches offer accommodations, horse pack trips and all inclusive vacations. Why not take the kids on an adventure they will never forget?

When you are ready to find out more information about Dubois visit http://www.duboiswyoming.org/ to get started and  http://www.duboiswyomingchamber.org/ to see a calendar of events. Or leave a comment/question and I will do my best to answer.

How about it? Have you planned your trip yet?

Whoo whoooo!

Day two! And another post to delight you.

OK, thought my Mom would get a kick out of that little rhyme! Hi Mom! My goal today is to introduce you to these cute great horned owlets, just out of the nest, and tell the tale of how I got the shot.

Great horned owls are found everywhere, females typically larger then males. Often perched high in quiet, secluded habitat taking up residence in trees that include deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests. They prefer areas of open habitats, where they hunt, and woods, where they tend to roost and nest.

I found these owlets on the grassland located in the South Platte River basin on the Colorado Eastern Plains. It was at the end of a three day workshop on the Pawnee National Grasslands and only the hardy participants were left. We photographed this pair in the golden light of the evening and came away with some super shots then headed back to our vehicles to call it a day.

Just before packing up the gear, I turned to the owlets to say thank you for the opportunity (as I often do to my subjects) and OMG! This is what presented itself. With a quick exposure adjustment and a few frames later I knew I had something special. Hope you agree! I call this image appropriately "Owlets" and it has been a favorite of viewers and clients alike.

Really???

It has taken me this long to add a new post? Believe it or not, I am back!

And just like the last post, I am reporting luck has intervened again and this July will be the third time I'll have the chance to camp and photograph brown bears at McNeil River State Game Sanctuary in Alaska. It can't be possible! I am still pinching myself. Three permits in eight years? WOW!  So appropriately I feel the need to post a bear photo! OK?

Glad you agreed. I have been amiss in processing images from McNeil for quite a long while. Shame on me. Please forgive my tardiness. So, inspired by Arthur Morris and his 175 straight days of blog posts, I will try to post on a more regular basis. Hopefully you will follow along!

Let me take you back to July 2012 and the circumstances surrounding this photo opportunity. I call it an opportunity because it is so rare to win a permit a second time. Our small group had hiked up the trail to overlook Mikfik Falls and were watching brown bears consume dying salmon in the pooling waters of Mikfit Creek. Occasionally a bear would sneak off upstream with a mouthful, disappear for a time, then suddenly reappear to delight of the photographers and bear watchers. This is one of those extraordinary moments when a bear actually raised its head and made eye contact.

If you would like to know more about the bears and permit opportunities at McNeil River State Game Sanctuary check out http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=viewingpermits.mcneil_overview. I can't recommend it enough!

If you get a chance, let me know what you think. I would love to hear from you! It has been a while.