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So here is the back story on this picture...
We decided that we would take a trip for Christmas instead of exchanging gifts...
This was the brain child of my youngest daughter - as many know I live in Florida but was raised in Michigan. I will never appreciate warm 80 degree Christmas days...I'll always long for crisp, softly, falling snow. So when she suggested Wyoming for Christmas we quickly signed up. Since she moved to Denver area 4 years ago - we haven't had Christmas with her.
She made arrangements for a good chunk of my family (14 of us) to go to Yellowstone for a Snow Cat Winter Adventure. We had the entire day to explore (with a guide - it's the only way you can enter the park during winter months).
We saw LOTS of Bison - and at the end of the day, we were on our way back to our meetup place. When a small herd of Bison were walking down the road - plodding slowly but with purpose - heads hung low, their hot breath causing fog - they were on a mission to join the larger herd that we had seen earlier.
I asked our guide if I could get out of the vehicle (just ahead of us was a dozen snowmobiles and riders, that had stopped their machines and stood off to the opposite side of the snowmobiles away from the Bison.) She said it would be fine. So my LONG lens and I got out of the Snow Cat and proceeded to shoot off several shots.
Funny thing - my nephew (6 years younger than I) did the same thing - BUT for whatever reason one of the Bison did a little charge thing towards him....he quickly got back into the Snow Cat...lol
We had a very magical day...it was amazing. I was hoping for a Fox/Wolf - deep sigh. But we did see Eagles, Coyote, Bison and various rabbits...
Thank you so much for the Ribbon - It's my first ribbon (I'm hopeful that I'll get more) I've ever had in a FS - It only took 11 years and 3 months of entering ALMOST every FS from then to now...THANK YOU!!!
(Family)
BTW - We also did an "Ugly Sweater Day" - ugh...
Rian - this is for you...I did a little more editing to take out the distracting tree shadows...good suggestion - I actually hadn't even thought of trying B&W...Thank You!
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Congrats on the ribbon, lovely story. We have been doing a "trip instead of gifts" for a few years now, but take our trip later in the year when there are fewer people on holiday. Its a great way to really spend quality time with family.
I love the story behind the photo, I really really liked this photo on first viewing but just didn’t like the background. I probably would’ve cleaned out all the dirty parts and made it all white. And I can’t believe this is your first ribbon in a FS, I was sure that you had placed before.
thanks for the backstory Janine ..
sounds like you and your family had a wonderful Xmas..
btw .. I sorta like the one you put in the challenge with the 'distracting' background ... and usually I would prefer black and white over colour .. but in this instance i like the colour best .. it gives a warmth to a cold environment .. :)
Was curious how this was obtained and I see the long lens used (smart!) and perhaps from a vehicle (extra smart). Nice shot. Must have been very exciting for sure.
Congrats on the Yellow. Great image and I know I could never see myself shooting in those type of conditions. I Freeze up in the middle of a summers day. Well done. I would still prefer to see this in B&W printed large above a fire place in a lodge...for sure
Janine .. this is amazing .. i cant imagine how you would have got a photo like this without risking life, limb and camera ..
congratulations on something incredible and stunning .. and of course the yellow .. :)
Yellowstone
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