Photo by Sherman

The magnificent aroma coming from the dutch oven smelled wonderful as I stepped out of my vehicle at the Alcova campground that we had chosen for the gathering of the Casper Photo Club.  Our club president had been there most of the day preparing her special dutch oven dinner and it was apparent it would be very tasty.  This was a field trip to photograph the sunset at Alcova and anything else of interest we happened to see.   The dutch oven dinner was a scrumptious meal of chicken, vegetables and biscuits which we enjoyed as we waited for better light.

A scrumptious dutch oven meal of chicken, vegetables and biscuits.

After dinner, we set out to find picture possibilities of Alcova.  This is a pretty little reservoir not far from Casper, Wyoming.  The side we were on has a large canyon and large rocks of red sandstone plus the hillside is covered with green coniferous trees.  This was the same canyon where the first rubber raft was used to float down the whitewater of the North Platte River in 1842 when John C. Fremont was surveying what is now central Wyoming. This was before there were any dams or reservoirs on the North Platte River.  Today Alcova dam backs the Platte’s water into the canyon and is used by modern day boaters.

Today modern boaters cut up the waters of the canyon at Alcova.

It was an enjoyable evening hiking around the canyon area of Alcova.  I could always look around and see the reservoir and enjoy the vast expanse of Wyoming.  The red rock contrasted beautifully with blue water and green trees.

Blue water and sky contrasting with the red rocks of Alcova.

As the evening progressed, heavy clouds moved in and covered the sky eliminating any sunset possibilities.  We were disappointed but realized that happens from time to time.  Still the trip was well worth it especially considering the dutch oven meal and the great company.  But don’t forget, when a photographer has their camera, it’s always a great day.

Check out more of my photos at http://samsherman.imagekind.com/store/default.aspx.

It was eleven degrees below zero at the Snake River Overlook in Grand Teton National Park in February and the sun was just thinking of ascending over the low mountains to the east.  Here I was in one of the most beautiful places on earth and I had my camera just waiting to take some sunrise pictures.  In spite of the cold, my thought was that it was always a good day if I could take pictures.  I was elated!  Eleven below didn’t change that for me.  Of course I was dressed for the cold… snow boots with wool socks, long handles, jeans, snow pants, 3 layers of shirts, warm mittens, and a nice warm new Winter coat.  I even had in reserve toe and finger warmers if I needed them.  What a fantastic Winter morning as I stood there with my camera waiting for the sun to begin shooting its first beams of sunshine onto the Tetons.

As I gazed west at the Teton Range, I remembered something from somewhere in my past photo studies that told me I should look in other directions because there might be sky color where it wasn’t expected.  I turned to the east and, sure enough,  there was some interesting salmon hues of color in the sky.

The sun was beginning to create some color to our east.

After taking some pictures of the eastern sky, I directed my attention back to the Tetons.  Stomping my feet to help keep them warm, I waited until the sun began to produce a pinkish color on the high peaks of the Tetons.  Sunrise was arriving in the valley of the Snake.

The Grand Tetons at sunrise at the Snake River Overlook.

As it has done for eons, the sun continued on its movement higher into the sky lighting the Tetons more and more until they were fully illuminated.

Snake River Overlook later in the Morning.

As I have been writing this piece, I kept thinking how could I put some specific photographic lesson in it.  The lesson I kept coming up with is that no matter what, if I’m dressed for the weather, even eleven below zero, when I’m out taking scenic photographs, it’s a great day.

See more of my photographs at  http://samsherman.imagekind.com/ and click on galleries.

I’ve driven by the National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, many times.  Usually it’s the Summer and there are no elk in the refuge. They are all up in the high country getting fat on the forage available there.  In February I was in Jackson Hole, and  because it was winter, the elk were on the feed ground, so they could enjoy the  alfalfa pellets the refuge provides during the Winter.   The Casper Photography Association had planned this trip, and I was lucky enough to be able to go.  We rented a  horse drawn sleigh with driver for our group, loaded up, and away we went.  This was a dream I’d had since I was 15 years old and a new arrival in Wyoming.  My Aunt Rhea and and Uncle Herb told me about their trip in 1960 when they went on an Elk Refuge sleigh ride. Their trip was a time when the elk were actually fed hay from the sleighs.  Since their story of an enjoyable trip, I had always wanted to do the same thing.  My forty year dream was coming true, and now I also had my camera.

This was not our sleigh but we were on one just like it.

Draft horses which pulled our sleigh. I've always liked draft horses and these were beautiful animals that were well taken care of.

It was a beautiful February afternoon, not very cold, probably around 32 degrees. There was a light breeze but not so strong as to take the wind chill temperature down much below 25. My winter clothes did feel good, however.  The lighting was almost perfect for photography.  There were some high clouds which helped to diffuse the light.  The sun was at about a 45 degree angle.  This type of lighting would be helpful when we reached the elk.  It’s lighting much like you would see in a portrait studio.  The clouds and the snow on the ground would help diffuse the sunlight and bounce it into the any shadows. Without some diffusion, harsh shadows would be cast across the subject and that would not be conducive to good portrait photography.   I considered the elk my subjects for portraits, and the natural lighting and great setting my outdoor portrait studio.

The first wildlife we came across were a party of four coyotes.  Apparently, coyotes and wolves hang around the elk to feed.  We didn’t see any wolves but our sleigh driver told us there was a pack that drifted around looking for a meal.  The coyotes tended to feed on carrion.  These particular coyotes were not real worried about our sleigh. The sleigh driver told us if we were to get off the sleigh and walk, the coyotes would scatter to the hills.

Four coyotes were the first wildlife we saw up close in the refuge.

Zoom lenses are great to be able to get closer pictures of wildlife.

As we watched the coyotes, we noticed swans flying off in the distance.  They at first were white against the blue sky, but they were quickly lost to view as they flew with snow-covered hills as a background.  I kept my lens on them, and just for a brief time, they flew so they were highlighted against some distance pines.  They were in this position just long enough for me to get one camera click before they were once again lost against the snow covered hill.

Swans are also common to the feed ground.

The driver also mentioned that if people were on foot in the refuge the elk would run off.  But, by being on the sleigh we were able to move in very close to the elk without frightening them.  We were taken into a group of bull elk.  I had never seen such large elk in one place.  They were beautiful and magnificent and very regal.

This was a group of large bull elk.

One regret is that I did not take a picture from a distance of the large herd.  I was just too amazed at the individuals.  Consequently, I took most of my portraits of individuals.  In these portrait type pictures you can see that there are no major shadows.  This is partly because of the high clouds creating diffused light.  The snow also helped to bounce the light into the shadow areas.  Consequently, harsh shadows were almost eliminated.

The diffused sunlight and bounced light off the snow allows the viewer to see better into the shadow cast over the elk's side.

The diffused sunlight and bounced light off the snow allows the viewer to see better into the shadow cast over the elk’s side.  I cheated a little more on these photos in that I did use PhotoShop Elements 6.0 to slightly lighten the shadows.

Most of the bull elk were not shy at all.  They did what they do all the time — eat, sleep, watch for predators, and fight.  Actually this was not the time of the year they did their hardest fighting, but they would challenge each other at least to show who was boss.  These “fights” didn’t last long as they seemed more interested in basking in the sun.

Our sojourn on the National Elk Refuge came to and end all too quickly. My elk portraiture was a very enjoyable and a worthwhile experience.  Many years ago when I first heard of sleigh rides on the Elk Refuge, I wasn’t much interested in photography.   I’m not necessarily glad I waited to visit the refuge until I was a camera buff, but my camera sure did help add to my dream of visiting the National Elk Refuge.

Please visit  my wildlife gallery to see these and other wildlife photographs.   http://samsherman.imagekind.com/store/Images.aspx/b172e61a-f5e0-48b8-bc34-01507ac764d5/Wildlife

I don’t know how old I was when I first saw the movie Shane, the 1953 American Western film produced and directed by George Stevens, but I do remember I was awestruck not only by the movie but by the scenery.  I was pleasantly surprised to find it last week on a visit with the Casper Photography Association to Grand Teton National Park in western Wyoming.  I didn’t even know it existed until someone asked if we wanted to see the Shane Cabin.  “Of course”,  was the answer.

We spent a few delightful minutes of photographing the place.  It didn’t even disappoint me that it was February, and I would have to wade through snow to get to the cabin.  It was exciting trying to think of the movie and bring back that awestruck feeling of my youth.  It didn’t look like I remember it as there is not much left.  Just the outer walls and some beams where the roof once was.  Still I was thrilled to be there.

Shane Cabin as I walked down from the road

All nine club members present began shooting their pictures.  We made sure we were not in each others way.  I tramped along the pole fence and carefully negotiated the deep snow through the gate, excited to take a look inside.  The floorboards had long ago vanished, so it was tricky picking my way to the blocked out wood window.  We were all interested in shooting a picture through that window.  I wanted to use the wood to frame the the view of the Tetons in the distance.  The mountains had been covered in clouds all day and were just now beginning to lift a little.

The Tetons as seen through the window of the Shane cabin. The clouds were just beginning to lift off the mountains.

We all explored the dilapidated cabin and jabbered excitedly about our memories of the movie, and how much fun it was to see and investigate what was left here of that famous movie.

The most exhilarating part to photograph was the cabin with the Tetons in the background.  It didn’t matter that it was Winter,  and the valley was snow-covered.  What did matter is that I was there, actually at the Shane Cabin, basking in it’s historical significance and trying to recall from old memories the movie and how much I enjoyed it.

Shane Cabin with Tetons in the background

As we finished our photography. we headed west to the town of Jackson.  But on the way back we were lucky enough to see more of the Tetons as the clouds did lift some,  not totally, but enough to shoot a few last moment pictures, and the sun began to sit.

The clouds did not totally leave the Tetons on this day

What I gained the most of this experience was “the experience”.  I suggest you just go out and shoot pictures of what interests you.  Enjoy the experience and just enjoy living life with your camera.

I have added these and other pictures to my web site.  Please visit it at http://SamSherman.imagekind.com/

I really like my Pentax K20 digital camera with the Pentax 18 to 250 mm telephoto zoom lens.   I often use a polarizing lens to help make skies bluer.  When I use the polarizing lens, with the 18 to 250 mm lens I see vignettes in all four corners of my picture.  I’m guessing that this is because the 18 mm setting for the lens “sees” at a wide angle consequently catches the edges of the polarizing lens and that’s what appears in photos.  Here’s an example of what I mean:

Notice the darkened corners. This is know as a vignette.

Step-up rings provide a way to fit a larger diameter filter or accessory onto a smaller lens. The step-up ring screws onto the lenses threading and provides a larger thread which the photographer can then attach other elements including a polarizing filter or more step-up rings.

In my case, my lens has a 62 mm diameter.  I purchased a 62 mm to 72 mm step-up ring.  I also purchased a new 72 mm polarizing filter to screw it into the front of the step-up ring.  It worked great.

No vignette using the step up ring.

The step up ring gave enough diameter space so that the 18 mm wide angle setting did not “see” the edges of the polarizing lens and the vignettes did not appear.

I usually take my camera wherever I go. Day before yesterday was not an exception. I was in the process of making some Watkins deliveries and about ready to drive home. I decided to take a detour and follow the road that goes by the Three Crowns Golf Course in Casper, Wyoming. The wind was blowing about 45 mph and the temperature was about the same number.  Here in Casper we think of that just as a good breeze on a warm day in the Winter. I had my camera with me and it wasn’t even in the back seat but right next to me.

As I glanced into the sky, I saw a large flock of several dozen Canadian Geese. They appeared to be in a stationary position and just hung there in the blue sky with high white clouds. They were flying into that 45 mph breeze but making very little progress. I quickly pulled my car over to the edge of the road; pushed the emergency flasher on; grabbed my camera out of its bag; jumped out and pointed the camera at the flock. This is one time I was pleased with the auto settings as the birds began to move and spread out even through the high winds. I just pointed, composed, shot and let the camera do its automatic things. I panned the sky looking through my lens finding the groupings and clicked the shutter with several different compositions. Quickly the geese dispersed and were gone but I did obtain a picture I could live with.

Photography is a fun and exciting activity but a person needs to be ready. Fortunately I was ready and the picture turned out.

Please go to http://SamSherman.imagekind.com/ and view some more of my photography.

Friday the 13th is supposed to be a bad luck day. I am not superstitious to any great degree so I decided I’d try and make it a lucky Friday the 13th photographic day. It had snowed a inch or so during the night. I suspected there might be more snow on Casper Mountain, and I might find something interesting to photograph. I made the short drive up there with camera ready.

I drove the twists and turns of the Mountain road while listening to the oldies station on the radio and keeping time to the songs by tapping my fingers on the steering wheel. It was another beautiful afternoon with fresh snow covering the pines, and I was feeling lucky. There wasn’t as much snow as I had hoped but still wanted to discover some new photographic sights. I had in mind going to one of my favorite places on the mountain at Tyler’s corner where there are stands of Quaking Aspen that are picturesque any time of the year. I had visions of the Quakies extending from snow cover stretching high into a dark blue Wyoming sky showing off their whitish bark and bare branches. Quaking Aspen is my favorite tree, and it’s delightful to photograph any time of the year. I suspected I could photograph them in some sort of scenic pose.

When I left Casper, the clouds had begun to break away, but I could see they had not totally moved off Casper Mountain. I hoped they would lift more by the time I arrived at Tyler’s Corner. Once there, the sun was playing hide and seek. More hide than anything. There were no shadows on the Quakies. I waited for a break in the clouds so the sun could peek through and make the snow sparkle and create shadows on the clumps of Quakies. It just didn’t happen. Had the bad luck of Friday the 13th been tossed at me by the fickle fates of the cloud gods? The sun never broke through, but I wasn’t going to give up and let bad luck win.

From out of my past came words to mind I had taught my students. Move in close, crop out, simplify. I don’t know how many times I had told my photography students those words. I think it was time I used them myself. I began to observe more closely what was there. Not just the big picture but I inspected more closely some of the less obvious conditions in the Quaky patch. What had I missed at other times I’d been here when I was photographing large scenic areas? My eyes scanned through the trees. Move in close, crop, simplify. There! Just on the edge, some initials carved in a tree. I had seen them many times in the past and ignored them. Now they stuck out and peeked my curiosity. I moved in close with my zoom lens and focused. Not a bad composition so I clicked the shutter. There was another not far away. Zoom, focus, click.

Who had carved these letters? How long had they been there? I had no idea but the letters had healed over and darkened, indicating they had been there for many years. Who was KR? Who was KIP? Here’s a mystery not to be solved by me, but they did create a lucky photographic opportunity. I zoomed in, simplified and cropped out.

Examining the area more, I found an old bird house. Its gray, weathered wood showed that it had been there a long time. The bottom was falling out, and I could see the old nest in the crack at its underside. If the bottom didn’t finish its descent to the ground sometime during the Winter, it would still be able to be a home for a bird family next Spring. Once again I simplified and cropped out.

The snow the previous night must have been a wetter snow than what we see later in the Winter. The Quakie trunk had been blasted by the wind and snow was pasted to the tree. Here was another interesting photo opportunity. There was no need to picture the entire tree. The snow plastered trunk was what I found interesting. Move in, crop out, simplify.

None of these pictures will ever be hung on someone’s wall as a work of art, but it was an outdoor experience that is more than photography. Photography is just a good reason to get out into the Wyoming mountains and experience a lifestyle that has entertained me for years. Friday the 13th was not a bad luck day. When a person is in the Wyoming mountains with their camera, bad luck is not allowed. Plus when we crop out and simplify, sometimes we end up with some not to bad pictures.

Please go to http://SamSherman.imagekind.com/ and view some photographs of mine that you might actually want to put on your walls.

Dry, brown and gold leaves crunched noisily under my feet as I slowly walked the bird viewing path up Garden Creek at the Audubon Center on the edge of Casper, Wyoming. The air was cool. The sky blue with no clouds. It was a beautiful Fall morning. The mountain stream, Garden Creek, was running clear and cold. I was encircled by brown, snarled Cottonwood tree trunks with golden-yellow leaves. Honey blond grass swished as I walked by. Red Wild Rose berries invited me to photograph their brilliance. Light was pouring through the leaves as they shimmered and shined and even appeared to glow in the morning light. The side and back lighting was amazing. As a photographer I appreciated the early morning light shining into my face this October morning. A photographer should not be afraid to shoot into the light. I was inspired to take many photographs, most of which were not very good. But the sidelight was so inspiring, I couldn’t help myself. Thankfully I’m only showing a few here.

Light pouring through the golden, shimmering Cottonwood leaves.

Side lighted Cottonwood trees along Garden Creek with Casper Mountain in the background.

Side lighted Cottonwoods with Casper Mountain pine trees in the background.

More of Garden Creek in the Fall.

After following Garden Creek for some distance, time was running out as I had plans to drive to Garden Creek Falls. Walking there was too far, and I’d need to cross private land so a short drive was necessary. As I traipsed back to my car, not really paying much attention, I heard crashing noise to my left. I looked up and standing before me was a doe Mule Deer. The crashing noise came from another deer which I never saw. I must have spooked one out. This doe, however, wasn’t ready to flee. She seemed almost as curious of me as I was of her. I’d been in this area on other days and seen deer, but this lady was as close as I had ever been to one here. I wasn’t ready with my camera, which is a no-no for a photographer. Fortunately, she hung around long enough for me to get a picture.

Mule Deer Doe

I paid more attention on the way back but didn’t see any more wildlife. I did notice Garden Creek with its crystal clear water, rocks, and Fall leaves. Zooming in close with my lens, I set my camera to stop action and took pictures of the water as it cheerfully proceeded on its journey to eventually join with the North Platte River.

Garden Creek

Arriving back to my car, I stowed the camera safely away and drove to Garden Creek Falls. I made the short trek up the trail to the Falls hoping to find the Falls bathed in light but should have known better. This time of year the Falls are in the shadow of Casper Mountain and would remain that way until Spring. I decided to shoot some pictures anyway and figured on using my HDR program when I returned home. The HDR program would help to “see” into the shadows better. HDR photography is something I’ll have to delve into more on a future post.

Garden Creek Falls

It was a good thing I grabbed the opportunity to photograph Garden Creek when I did. A couple of Days later Casper was hit by an early Fall snow storm and freeze. All those beautiful Fall leaves were frozen and turned brown, but at least I was able to enjoy a satisfying hike along Garden Creek before the storm hit and enjoy the beautiful side lite and back lite Cottonwoods and other foliage.

See more of my photography at http://SamSherman.imagekind.com/

Nate Champion makes a courageous dash from a burning cabin at the KC ranch and is shot down by gunslingers. Cattlemen from the Wyoming Stock Growers are surrounded in a barn at the TA ranch by 200 members of a posse from Buffalo, Wyoming. The Gunslingers and Stock Growers are ready to break out of the TA barn but are rescued by the army. There is spectacular Fall beauty in Crazy Woman Canyon. An eighty-four year old abandoned power plant with amazing architectural windows is still standing. This and more history was revealed to me and others on a recent Casper College trip.

OLLI, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of Casper College, sponsored a fun two day class in which I was lucky enough to secure a place. It consisted of a two-day excursion that offered discussions involving history, literature, and natural features in Johnson and Natrona Counties of Wyoming.

We began our journey by viewing the Hoofprints of the Past Museum in Kaycee, Wyoming. This is a fun museum to visit. I even managed to get some pictures of a couple of outdoor exhibits. Museums can be a great place to practice your skills as a photographer. I often use their displays for pictures with their permission, of course.

Outdoor wall of and exhibit at the Hoofprints of Past Museum

Looking into a window of the Hoofprints of the Past Museum

Much of our trip dealt with the Johnson County Cattle War. This was a conflict between the large ranchers of Wyoming (Wyoming Stock Growers Association) and the small ranchers who especially lived in Johnson County. Basically, the hostilities of 1892 began when the large ranchers hired approximately 50 Texas gunslingers to go into Johnson County to clean up the rustling problem. The definition of rustling, of course, differed whether a person was one of the large ranchers or small ranchers. The Wyoming Stock Growers had managed to persuade the Wyoming legislature to pass a law which basically said that no one but the larger ranchers (Wyoming Stock Growers) would be able to brand mavericks. Mavericks are unbranded, motherless, calves. The small ranchers mostly ignored this law and branded any mavericks or any other unbranded calves they found. Of course, the big ranchers were doing this, too, but that was “ok” by them. Only the little ranchers were considered “rustlers” according to the Wyoming Stock Growers.

The 50 Texans came by train to Casper where they were joined by a few members of the Wyoming Stock Growers. This group was basically called Invaders by the homesteaders of Johnson County. Traveling from Casper by horse, they planned to invade Johnson County and take care of the “rustlers”. That pretty much meant they were to kill as many “rustlers” as they could find. They had a list of about 60 men that included the sheriff, mayor of Buffalo, and several other notables of Johnson County. All were marked for death.

The invaders first stopped at the KC ranch near present day Kaycee, Wyoming. Nate Champion and Nick Ray were surrounded in a cabin and eventually killed by the invaders. Unfortunately for the invaders, word got out to Buffalo, and Sheriff Red Angus put a posse together of about 200 men and headed out to stop the Invaders. The Invaders decided to hold up at the TA Ranch where they ended up being surrounded in the TA barn by the posse. A shootout occurred. Just before the Invaders were going to make a break for it and probably be gunned down by the posse, the army arrived and arrested the Invaders, basically protecting them. They were taken to Cheyenne for trial, but one never occurred. To this day, no one was ever been held accountable for the murders of Nate Champion or Nick Ray.

I’m not sure if there is any longer any evidence of the shootout at the KC ranch, but the TA ranch is still there. Bullet holes still mark the buildings where that shootout occurred. I have always wanted to go to the TA and finally managed to realize that dream because of the OLLI Class. I was enthralled by the barn and other buildings.

Barn at the TA Ranch where the Invaders were surrounded by the posse

Bullet holes put in the TA Ranch by the posse over 100 years ago in 1892

After a delicious chili lunch at the TA, the class boarded the vans and headed up Crazy Woman Creek. What a beautiful Fall drive. Crazy Woman flows out of a large canyon and a narrow, one lane dirt road twists and turns up the canyon following the creek. The class would stop from time to time and look at the scenes and listen to the instructors as they taught about the geology of the area . As I listened to the geology instructors, I felt I had to put my camera to use. It was mainly a cloudy day, but from time to time the sun would break through. I tried to use those opportunities for photography, but didn’t limit myself to just those times the sun was shining. My advice for others is to look for, see, and photograph what they view as a good photo. Remember, if you have a digital camera, there is no cost in taking as many pictures as you like.

Crazy Woman Creek

Crazy Woman Canyon

An Example of no direct sunlight but this picture of Quaking Aspen turned out anyway.

Crazy Woman!! What a strange name!! How did the area get this name? According to the Casper College catalog, there are two legends which give rise to the name Crazy Woman Creek. Both are based upon tragic events. In one, a young woman is left alone after an attack on her village. She lived in a squalid wickup and on moonlit nights could be seen leaping from rock to rock in the creek. For some reason, the Crow Indians felt she brought good luck, so they left her alone. The second legend told of a trader who unwisely sold whiskey or “firewater” to gain favor with the Indians. When it was gone, the Indians demanded more, which he could not supply. After he was killed, his young wife made her escape, only to wander up and down the creek, demented. Because of the loss of her sanity, she was safe from further harm by the Indians. It is said that Jeremiah Johnson cared for her afterwards.

As we left Crazy Woman, we headed to Buffalo for dinner at the Virginian Restaurant in the historic Occidental Hotel. This is a beautifully restored 19th century style business in downtown Buffalo. The food and hospitality was superb.

Friday on our way south to Casper, our next stop was an old power plant in the Salt Creek Oil field of Natrona County, Wyoming. It was built and used in the 1920’s and provided electricity to the large Salt Creek Oil field and the town of Midwest. At one time, it generated enough power to light the football field at Midwest, giving them the honor of having the first night football game in the world lighted by electricity.

Salt Creek Power Plant as it looks today.

The plant is in disrepair, and because it has been abandoned for years, it has suffered years of deterioration and neglect. I was not only struck by the broken windows, but also their architectural beauty. The domed windows were amazing. I ended up taking several pictures, trying to capture the beauty that is still there.

Picture taken from inside looking out.

Inside looking west.

Outside looking in.

Actually seeing the place where Nat Champion and Nick Ray were gunned down, being there, looking at the bullet holes at the TA ranch, traveling up Crazy Woman Creek, and actually walking in the power plant that generated the power for the first night football game was a dream come true. This was something I’d wanted to do for years. Wyoming, its history, scenery and people is a photographer’s paradise.

See these photos and others framed and matted at http://SamSherman.imagekind.com/. Change the frames and mats to your satisfaction.

I admit it! Sometimes I’m a road hunter. Here in Wyoming that means someone who hunts big game animals from their vehicle. That’s considered being a lazy hunter to be honest. Well, I wasn’t hunting with a rifle. I was hunting with my camera, so maybe I can be forgiven. This week I drove Poison Spider Road and surveyed each side of the country road for Antelope (American Pronghorn). I was not disappointed.

Poison Spider road is a great area for Antelope, but the road has a peculiar name. According to Mae Urbanek in her book, “Wyoming Place Names”, one possible reason Poison Spider Creek received its name was when an early surveyor needed a new thread for his transit, he went to a spider web to get it and was bitten and died. Another version says a sheepherder was bitten by a poisonous spider and died. Yet another story says the water was poisonous to livestock. Take your pick. There are many curious names in Wyoming but that doesn’t take away from the abundance of Antelope along Poison Spider Road.

Maybe I was road hunting to avoid poisonous spiders, or maybe I was just enjoying a drive in Antelope country. Whatever the reason, I was richly rewarded. There are more Antelope in Natrona County, Wyoming, than there are people. There might even be more Antelope in the entire state than people. Needless to say, I live in prime Antelope country and should take advantage of that and pull my camera out from time to time and see what I can photograph.

Early Fall in Wyoming can be magnificent. It sure was Sunday with clear, cobalt blue skies and warm temperatures but not hot. I could see sky from over my right shoulder clear across to over my left shoulder all the way to the horizon on both sides. There were times I could see at least 50 miles in some direction or another. Antelope were grazing all along the road. Most of the way is over private land closed to hunting, consequently, the critters were not too skittish. They did get a little nervous when I would stop my car to take pictures. They do sometimes have a strange urge to first run off and then stop and turn around and peer back at what frightened them. If they are too wary, they won’t stop, but if they are more curious than scared, they stop and look back. A photographer can take advantage of this and sometimes get some good pictures. One key for any wildlife photographer is to know the animal’s habits. Use that knowledge to your advantage to get some shots.

One more thing about Antelope is that they might not run far from a car, but as soon as a person opens the door and gets out, they run off using their great speed. The Antelope is the fastest animal in North America, so they can disappear over the hill very quickly. They are a wonder to watch as they bound through the sagebrush, leaping, running and being free. Consequently, a long time ago, I learned not to get out of the car for my Antelope pictures. Just roll the window down and shoot. That’s why I was road hunting this past Sunday. I was able to capture a couple of pictures I thought I could display here.

This Antelope let me take his picture from my car window.

Small Antelope Buck

One the way back, I observed for my first time ever, two large Antelope bucks fighting it out. Their horns were locked in bodily combat. The larger animal was pushing the somewhat smaller one back as he dug his hooves into the ground. Their leg muscles were tight and bulging. Heads with large horns were down almost in the dirt each pushing and shoving hard and making the area around them seem like a dust storm. I knew I wanted this picture and hoped they would give me the time to stop the car and shoot. They didn’t! As soon as I stopped the car, they stopped fighting. Each wandered off as if it was just a nice warm evening and did not have a care in the world. So, I didn’t get my picture of an Antelope fight.

Buck Antelope fight for females. This is the time of year they build their harems. These two were doing just that. A buck will run off any other bucks so they can have the sole attention of their ladies. This is a time immortal event that has been occurring and reoccurring for thousands of years. I just feel so lucky to be able to observe this and live in Wyoming and have the opportunity to photograph them.

After fighting another Antelope, this one surveyed his realm.

Please take a look at my other pictures at my web store. Framed scenic prints are available. http://SamSherman.imagekind.com/