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Rocky Mountain Thunder: Bison Rut Photography Workshop

Rocky Mountain Thunder: Bison Rut Photography Workshop

$1,132.50
Dates:
August 12 - 15
Location:
Lamar Buffalo Ranch
Meals Included?:
No
Instructors:
Kate Ochsman
Audience Type:
Adult
Program Type:
Field Seminars
Program Subject:
Photography, Wildlife
(Activity Scale)
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The bison rut is one of our favorite wildlife events in all the world. Big males compete for breeding rights with the females. Testosterone, musth, and adrenaline hang thick in the dusty summer air. Sunsets are late and are absolutely mesmerizing in their haze and vibrant colors. The grunting males have such loud roars that the valley itself seems to tremble with thunder. Males fight, sending clouds of dust swirling. Females and males have quiet, loving moments of connection and tenderness – the only time in the year to get “couple” shots of the males and females. The rut is an absolutely power-charged event and shows the true power of the American bison. We will spend most of our time in Lamar Valley and will spend at least one full day down in Hayden. This is a photography focused seminar.

About the instructor

Kate Ochsman is a naturalist and wildlife photographer based outside of Yellowstone. Kate believes in art for a cause – hers being conservation. Her artistic “why” is to help people connect with the wild, both within and outside of themselves, for we protect what we know and love. Building her fine art photography portfolio, Kate travels globally to photograph wildlife and wild places. Before her move to Yellowstone, Kate, a certified South African Safari Guide, ran an innovative program in the South African bush for college-aged participants that taught them photography, filmmaking, marketing and how to use these along with social media to spread awareness for wildlife conservation issues. She has also worked in human-wildlife conflict in Namibia. These days, Kate is focusing on American wildlife and conservation issues through wildlife guiding and photography.

Download Program Information:

Rocky Mountain Thunder: Bison Rut Photography Workshop Course Letter

More Information:

Lodging | Audience Descriptions

We are continually updating and refining our COVID-19 mitigation measures to ensure the health and safety our guests, staff and volunteers. Read our COVID-19 guidelines for program participants.

SUMMER ACTIVITY LEVEL SCALE

  • Be prepared to hike up to 1 mile per day, comfortably, through relatively flat terrain on maintained trails.
  • Be prepared to hike up to 3 miles per day, comfortably, with elevation gains up to 600 feet. Some off-trail hiking possible.
  • Be prepared to hike up to 5 miles per day, comfortably, with occasional elevation gains up to 1000 feet in undulating terrain.
  • Be prepared to hike up to 8 miles per day, at a brisk pace, comfortably, with climbs up to 1500 feet on dirt trails. Loose rocks, uneven footing, and off-trail hiking are possible. Good coordination is recommended.
  • Be prepared for brisk aerobic, destination-oriented hiking up to 12 miles a day. You should be physically conditioned to do these hikes comfortably. Elevation changes up to 2000 feet on dirt trails or off-trail. Loose rock, uneven footing, steep hillside traverses, and stream crossings are possible. Good coordination is required.

WINTER ACTIVITY LEVEL SCALE

  • Leisurely hikes up to 1 mile per day through relatively flat terrain on maintained or snow-packed trails.
  • Hikes on snow-packed trails, or snowshoe or ski trips, up to 3 miles per day with climbs up to 250 feet.
  • Brisk hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing up to 5 miles per day with climbs up to 500 feet, including some trail-breaking in snow.
  • Brisk aerobic snowshoeing or skiing up to 8 miles per day with climbs up to 1000 feet; or steep, rugged, off-trail skiing or snowshoeing—including breaking trail in variable snow conditions.
  • Brisk aerobic snowshoeing or skiing up to 12 miles per day with climbs up to 1500 feet; or steep, rugged, off-trail skiing or snowshoeing—including breaking trail in variable snow conditions.