Cost: $5895 double occupancy/Deposit $1500
Limited to 6 participants From Billings Montana
Spring in Yellowstone National Park is a time of rebirth.. The boiling hot pools, steaming geysers, dense concentrations of wildlife, a little fog to add mood, and the lack of crowds make this, perhaps, one of the most extraordinary times of year to visit. Bear activity is high in the spring and they are very visible. Mothers with cubs are out and the big males are searching for mates since its the peak of the breeding season We often see 10-15 bears in a single day. Since the wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone is now the premier location in the world to view wolves and be able to witness natural behavior. We may have opportunities to photograph them in the Hayden and Lamar Valleys.
We will also spend time photographing elk and calves, bighorn sheep, coyotes, moose, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and perhaps even less seen inhabitants such as otters, pine marten, bald eagles, and trumpeter swans. We will be out each day from dawn to dusk in search of as many excellent nature and wildlife images as possible.
As with all wildlife photography there are never any guarantees but in the past we have had very good luck photographing wildlife at this time of year. This is sure to be a photographic adventure you’ll never forget
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Billings Montana. Due to winter flying conditions and possible delays it would be best to arrive a day early and overnight in Billings. Pickup at Billings airport at will be at 11am. You could also fly to Cody Wyoming. Pickup in Cody would be at 1pm. We then take a beautiful drive up the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway to our lodging near the east entrance of the park. This will be our base of operations for the next 4 days. We’ll see some magnificent scenery and perhaps some wildlife along the way. Once settled in we’ll enter the park for an afternoon photography session (Dinner)
Days 2-4: We spend the next 3 days exploring the eastern part of Yellowstone which in spring is a prime viewing location for Grizzly Bears. rich “Northern Range” of the park Sylvan Pass is known for viewing bighorn sheep and the area around Fishing Bridge and Lake is a great place to see a great gray owl. Our goal is for you to take home the very best photographs that conditions will allow. We’ll be leaving each morning early before sunrise and returning in the evening after sunset.
Day 5: We will Transfer to Gardiner Montana this morning but will photograph along the way. After lunch and checking into our lodging we’ll go out for an evening session
Day6-8: The next 3 days we’ll be exploring the northern range of the park which known for a high concentration of black bears. We’ll spend time in the Lamar Valley witnessing the bison calving season which be in full swing. Good chance for wolf sightings and perhaps a wolf pack will den close enough for some great viewing of the pups
Day 9: After breakfast we make our journey back to Billings. You will want to schedule your departure for home anytime after arrival in Billings which will be at approximately 12 noon
Tour 1 starts and finishes in Billings Montana
Tour Prices Include:
- Transportation from and to Billings MT at the start and end of the trip via group shuttle
- Meals (lunch & dinner) breakfast served by lodging
- Lodging during the tour. You are responsible for lodging in Billings or Cody before/after the tour
- Lodging is double occupancy
- Photo Instruction and image critiques (if desired) by D. Robert
- Guides and Drivers
- Taxes on all services
Tour Prices DO NOT Include:
- Airfare to/from Billings MT
- Transportation to the park from Billings if you miss the shuttle
- Gratuity for Guides and Drivers
- Alcoholic beverages and desserts
What to Bring
Equipment: We recommend a minimum of 400mm telephoto lens for this tour. A 600mm lens is better. In addition to a variety of wide angle and a mid range zoom lens will come in handy
Digital shooters will want to bring along a couple of flash cards and a means to download images when cards get full. We always suggest you bring along 2 camera bodies if possible in case of equipment failure. A sturdy tripod and a good ballhead or gimbal head is encouraged but many photographers these days tend to handhold their lenses and that is perfectly fine in most situations. Extra batteries for your camera are advised.
Clothing: Clothing should be comfortable and warm. Even in spring temperatures in Yellowstone can drop below freezing. I recommend layering your clothing. Good waterproof boots and light gloves are essential. Remember, since most of your body heat is lost through your head, warm headgear is a necessity. You should bring along some rain gear as well.
About your Tour Leader
D. Robert Franz has been leading photo tours in Yellowstone National Park since 1991. With undergraduate degrees in wildlife management, geology and graduate studies earth science, Robert has an extensive knowledge of the natural world. His nature and wildlife photography has been extensively published (over fifteen thousand images published worldwide including hundreds of front covers) Robert has had images featured in, Audubon Magazine, National Wildlife, Sierra Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, Defenders Magazine, National Geographic, Das Tier Magazine, Sports Afield, Field and Stream, and many more. Their photographic prints have hung in the Smithsonian and the United States Congress. They are also accomplished assignment photographers specializing in nature and environmental issues. Clients have included Adolph Coors, Wildlife Conservation Society, Field and Stream Magazine, The Trust for Public Lands, Via Magazine, Greater Yellowstone Coalition and others. Their photography is represented by a number of the worlds leading stock photo agencies such as Getty Images, Alamy, Windigo Images, and Okapia
Robert has won many awards for his nature photography over the years. In 1989 Robert won the Colorado Outdoors Magazine Nature Photography Contest. In 1993 he won the Wyoming Wildlife Magazines Nature Photography Contest. Also in 1993 Robert won an award for a published calendar image from the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History. In 2001 and 2004 Robert had winning images the prestigious Nature’s Best photography contest. In 2003 Robert won Image of the Year for Nature Photographers.net. In 2006, 2008 and again in 2010 Robert finished 2nd in the Images for Conservation Pro Tour of Nature Photography contest held in different locations in Texas. This is the world’s most challenging nature photo contest. In 2007 Digital Photography Magazine proclaimed Robert as one the worlds 100 best wildlife photographers.
Robert has been leading photo tours since 1989 and now conducts high energy nature & wildlife photo tours through Franzfoto Instructional Tours. For the the past 10 years Robert leas tours almost daily throughout the summer in Yellowstone National Park with his company that he recently sold Experience Yellowstone Tours. He spent 130-140 days each year in Yellowstone. In years past Robert lead tours for Wildlife Images Photo Tours, Voyagers, Natural Habitat Adventures & Close Up Expeditions. Robert, his wife Lorri, and their dog Roscoe live in the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem near Cody Wyoming.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
GROUP MINIMUM: Occasionally, we are able to run a tour below our group minimum which is usually 4. In such instances it may be necessary to apply a small group supplement in which case you would be contacted regarding such a situation but you would not be obligated to accept the new terms.
RESERVATIONS: Your deposit is required to secure your place on any tour, with the balance due 60 days prior to the departure date. Deposits are fully refundable minus a small handling fee if cancellation is received at least 120 days prior to the departure date. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will mail you our acknowledgment and tour reservation form. Details of hotels, flight arrival recommendations, and other trip tips will be mailed when the tour is full.
MEALS: Meals are included depending on the trip details,but not alcoholic beverages.
ADMISSIONS: Access to public buildings and national parks etc. is not included in the land price.
CANCELLATION P0LICY: Due to the high number of cancellations we’ve received in the past several years a new refund policy has been implemented.
- Cancellations more than 120 days ahead of the tour are refunded 50%.
- Cancellations between 60-120 days ahead of the tour will be refunded if the spot can be filled minus $50 handling charge.
- Cancellations less than 60 days ahead of the tour are non-refundable.
CANCELED EXPEDITIONS: In the event of insufficient tour sign‐ups, Franzfoto Tours reserves the right to cancel any given tour. In that event 100% of moneys received will be returned. However, Franzfoto Tours is not responsible for expenses incurred by its customers.
LUGGAGE: Franzfoto Tours requests that tour participants limit their luggage to the equivalent of one suitcase, one flight bag, one camera bag, and tripod. We do not wish to be dictatorial in this matter, but asks that group members bear in mind space and comfort in our vehicles. All personal luggage are the responsibility of the owner.
SMOKERS: Smoking is not permitted at meals or in vehicles. It can be permitted at photo stops where local ordinances permit, photography and photographers are not affected.
RESPONSIBILITY: “Nothing in this Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risks and Release and Indemnity Agreement shall be interpreted as the participant and parent releasing Franzfoto from liability for injuries, damage, death, or other loss to participant or others that may occur within the jurisdiction of the National Park Service and is caused by Franzfoto negligence, gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct, including but not limited to any negligence with respect to Franzfoto judgments and decisions, or Franzfoto failure to take reasonable precautions to ensure it provides defect-free equipment.”
Franzfoto Tours comply with current Yellowstone National Park regulations. Franzfoto is an authorized Yellowstone National Park Photo Tour permit holder.
