Professional Development Profile: Winter Photography in Yellowstone National Park
by Lauren Kitrell

In December 2023, I participated in a professional development opportunity in Yellowstone National Park. Known for its sweeping landscapes, charismatic megafauna, geothermal features, and typically large crowds, Yellowstone is a place I have found personal and professional clarity over the years. I needed to find some of that clarity at the close of a challenging year, so to America's first national park I returned.

My class was called, "Connecting to Winter Through a Photographer's Lens", and it was offered by the park's official nonprofit partner, Yellowstone Forever. In addition to operating bookstores and gift shops, the talented staff at YF offer a wide range of educational opportunities throughout the year. This 3-day course emphasized connection to, and exploration of, Yellowstone through the mechanism of photography, nature journaling, and hiking. It seemed a perfect blend of new experiences and observation of different teaching methods for familiar content.

The program was based at the Lamar Buffalo Ranch. Lamar Valley is famous for being the epicenter of Yellowstone's 1990s wolf reintroduction, but the Buffalo Ranch holds its own historical significance. It was constructed in 1907 to research, protect, and preserve the nearly-extinct United States bison population. I was excited to visit Yellowstone in winter for the first time, and to be based in the heart of wolf territory, but the lodging and all the potential that came with it was a huge selling point.

Campus consisted of rustic cabins, each with a propane heater, 3 beds with mattresses, a chair, 3 small reading lamps, and some shelves for storage. I had a private cabin which was much appreciated (especially with all the extra gear that comes with photography and winter travel). We also had a shower building in the center of campus and a main lodge that was open 24/7 with bathrooms, a full kitchen for mealtimes, chairs and tables for coursework, and a phone for emergencies since there is no wifi in Lamar.

Our first night included an orientation for everyone to meet and learn about the goals and structure of the week, and time to settle into the cabins. The instructors were also very intentional about emphasizing respect and conservation of the wildlife in the park, which was reiterated throughout the program. For example, we were told to walk with headlamps between buildings because bison wandered through campus and were near impossible to see in the dark. A few past participants had bumped into the bison! Rest assured, no bison were bumped during this particular program.

Travel during the seminar took place on a Yellowstone Forever bus. The bus carried the group and camera gear, and the itinerary was flexible to accommodate the varied interests of the participants. One might say options were limited since there is only one plowed road in the park during winter, but it was a relaxed atmosphere with friendly people and beautiful surroundings. There was more than enough nature to go around.

A few highlights included:

OBSERVING AND PHOTOGRAPHING THE BIGHORN SHEEP RUT
I had seen the Yellowstone elk rut and the tail end of the bison rut, but this was my first bighorn sheep rut. In November/December, male and female sheep descend from higher altitudes to mate. The amazing thing is the courtship and mating occurs right next to the road! I was concerned about getting rammed by a testosterone-fueled male, but they were so distracted by females and their competition that observers watched the drama unfold with ease.

NO CROWDS!
I LOVED Yellowstone in winter. There were NO crowds! Most of the people on the roads were park employees, researchers, or other photographers. The landscape was spectacular with steaming rivers and geysers, snowy bison, crisp sunrises, and absolute silence. Did I mention NO CROWDS?!? I personally spent 45 minutes parked next to a bison herd with my windows down so I could listen to the grass squeaking between their teeth as they grazed. Maybe not for everyone, but I found it incredibly peaceful.

CHARISMATIC MEGAFAUNA
A complete nature novice can make their way through Yellowstone and experience multiple large animal species in the park. And maybe it was the timing and conditions of when I was there, but I felt the animals were closer to the road than I'd previously experienced because there was less traffic. One highlight was coming across a limping coyote in Lamar. I was in my own vehicle and watched him catch a rodent before laying down for a rest. When I told my instructors, they said, "Oh, that's Tripod!" and I learned the well-known coyote had lived in the area for years. Between his cheeky nickname and well-known nonchalance around valley occupants, I found this animal particularly endearing.

WOLVES!
It is no secret I like wolves. Winter wolf-viewing in Yellowstone was spectacular. I encountered two different packs, and watched one wolf cross the road right in front of me. I kid you not, he looked both ways.

Fun highlights aside, I found this trip to be deeply introspective. Do I recommend Yellowstone Forever field seminars? Absolutely. To everyone. For personal or professional needs. Did I find the structured program built my deepest connections and growth opportunities? No. I found my strongest connections to place were built when I was observing, listening, and photographing alone, and in near-silence. I feel this observation was my most meaningful professional takeaway from this experience.

We naturalists are busy people. We work hard to create engaging, enjoyable, and educational programs, and we strive to do so in a wildly unpredictable place - the outdoors. To anticipate and alleviate risk, I am prone to finding a schedule-oriented rhythm and sticking to it. But in that rhythm, I forget what it feels like to be the student. Someone visiting a new and strange place for the first time. Someone nervous about not knowing what they're about to see or do. Someone less confident being outdoors or recreating with their peers. As I have reflected on these feelings, I have felt my empathy build back up for my audiences. I am reenergized to help others experience their own spark moments in nature. Their Tripods and crosswalk wolves. Their squeaky bison chewing. In all the hustle, I had gotten away from structuring those moments in my teaching. I feel privileged to get back to it and create space for all to connect with nature through their own unique interactions.

I am grateful to, and appreciative of, the Minnesota Naturalists' Association for supporting this development opportunity. I also highly recommend the Yellowstone Forever Institute to anyone seeking personal or professional education opportunities in Yellowstone National Park.