Look for these critters in Yellowstone

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE THE TOUR

All tours and workshops will be geared towards the client’s interests and abilities. Where we go and what we see will depend on your goals. Please know that we can not guarantee a particular sighting but with our vast knowledge of the park and wildlife, we will do our best to fulfill your dreams.

Deby has spent the past ten years, living right outside the North entrance to Yellowstone, taking wildlife photos, writing stories, giving tours and advocating for the park and the wildlife. Her vast knowledge of the park will enhance your tour and her joy of the wildlife will inspire you to care.

Follow the rules & no smoking or perfume

To be eco-friendly, we ask that all participants refrain from smoking or using scents of any kind. We will carefully follow the park rules and instructions given us by the rangers. Short hikes, less than 1/2 mile, will be allowed during photography workshops, if desired but we will be careful to not damage the park’s resources or disturb the wildlife. We want you to enjoy Yellowstone and get great photos while being safe and preserving our national park. You can choose a 2 – 5 mile, easy or moderate hike, as an add-on option for your environmental education tours.

Length of Tour

Our tours run approximately 8 hours, normally from early morning until around 2 in the afternoon.

Our tour company is based in Gardiner, MT and most tour will begin from there or Mammoth. We can make arrangements for pick up at different locations (only when roads are fully open), however, depending on the location you select for your tour, there may be an additional $50 charge for locations like Madison Junction, Cooke City or Hayden Valley.

Don’t forget to let me know where you will be staying. Meeting time can be adjusted, according to your needs.

Weather and what to bring:

First of all, bring smiles, enthusiasm and questions.

Layers! The weather in Yellowstone can vary 20 to 40 degrees in minutes so always be prepared with layers. A jacket, hat and gloves for early morning and t-shirt for afternoon. Sunscreen and hat are important. Rain jacket advised, though we don’t experience a lot of rain. For our tours, you must wear sturdy shoes.

We will have a couple of scopes and binoculars for your use but if you have your own, please feel free to bring them.

A Note About Food

Your guide is in the process of obtaining the required food handling permit and hopes to be providing lunch and snacks by the time the 2022 season begins. Be sure and check ahead and also, advise of any special needs or allergies.

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS OR PHOTO TOURS

Before booking, let me know where you will be staying, what kind of camera gear you own and your familiarity with same. Make certain that you have plenty of lunch, snacks and drinks for the day – the Gardiner Market provides prepared sandwiches and other goodies. We will either sit and have a leisurely lunch or eat on the go, whichever you prefer. Let me know your goals for our tour.

Included in each photo workshop will be a full day in the park, 8 to 12 hours, with as much photo instruction as you desire (workshops only), transportation to and from your local lodging in Gardiner or a pre-arranged location, and insight about the wildlife in Yellowstone. You will need to bring bear spray, binoculars, camera equipment, including a tripod, and scope if you have one. I can provide bear spray and instruction on how to use if necessary. Note, photography tours do not include instruction – however, we do the best to get you in the right spot to take your images.

We can not guarantee that you will see any particular animals, or that you will be able to get closeup shots if the situation is unsafe or unlawful. For wildlife photography we recommend a minimum of a 400mm lens – 500 or 600 is preferable and a tripod. Bean bags for shooting from the vehicle, are recommended. Bring plenty of memory cards and fully charged batteries. If available, you can rent a Nikon D800 with a Sigma 150-600 lens for the day, at an added cost. Tripod may or may not be available. I will have a scope that we can use for viewing distant wildlife. The amount of time you want to spend watching animal behavior will be entirely up to you – but the focus will be on photography.

Possible camera, lens and tripod rental

I have extra Nikon gear, with long and short lenses, and a couple of extra tripods, that can be rented for your convenience. You will need to bring your own SD cards.

Booking and refund policy:

Booking in advance is required with full payment to guarantee your date. If cancelled 30 days before your trip, 1/2 of the tour amount will be refunded. Trip insurance highly recommended. Be familiar with the park rules and be prepared to follow them. Let me know if you need any additional information.

Lodging, transportation from airport, park pass (good for 7 days) and gratuity not included in this price. Fun, great photos and enhanced knowledge of the wildlife and park are included.

*Note, it is important that you know the basic settings of your camera prior to the workshop, so that you can get the most out of your day with us. However, if you need some extra instruction on the use of your camera, we can arrange to meet the evening before.