#engageyourcuriosity

Blog and photos by Kyle Moon As a photo guide and instructor with Yellowstone Wild, I am often asked, “What setting should I be at?” The truth is, it simply depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. Let’s not forget that photography is a form of art, and you can manipulate your camera settings to…

Blog & photos by Evan Watts On a cool morning, an eerie noise, sounding almost prehistoric, echoes through the crisp mountain air. An elk bugle… the first heard in nearly a year. The aspens, willows, and cottonwoods, all of which are full of vibrant green leaves, begin to yellow. Where a month ago, it was…

Blog by YW Lead Naturalist Laura L. Featured image courtesy of Rob Harwood. We are all Earthlings, fellow passengers on a living planet spinning through the vastness of space. The Earth remembers its story in stone. Rocks hold the record of upheaval and renewal, of oceans that came and went, of creatures long gone…

Written by Aleksa B. Forming emotional attachments to wild animals is usually a recipe for heartbreak. Unlike domesticated species (dogs, cats, other pets), the lives of animals in the wild are often fleeting and unforgiving. But when you work in Yellowstone, see these animals every day, and are fortunate enough to witness their entire lives…

Blog by YW Naturalist Parker N. Before Yellowstone became famous as the world’s first national park in 1872, it was a home and hunting ground for Native American tribes who occasionally lived, and regularly traveled through, for thousands of years. While many people think of Yellowstone as a “pristine wilderness,” untouched before it was protected,…

For most visitors to Yellowstone National Park, spotting an owl is a rare and unforgettable experience. These elusive birds, cloaked in secrecy and stealth, are masters of camouflage and often go unnoticed by the casual observer. Their primarily nocturnal habits, keen senses, and shy disposition only add to their allure. While many people hope to…

By YW Naturalist Laura L. Old Faithful is not the tallest geyser in the world. It’s not the most frequent. It may not even be the most exciting. And yet, it’s undeniably the most famous. Why? The answer can be found in a combination of factors working in sync to create its signature “faithfulness”. For…

There is a reason that winter is the time of year that draws more photographers to Yellowstone than any other. Winter is a time of extremes, when the landscape is covered in a calming blanket of white and all of the wildlife is pushed to the limits of survival. Winter is drama, and trying to…

To learn the story behind the photos, check out Evan’s full trip report HERE!  All photos and text courtesy of Yellowstone Wild Photo Naturalist Evan Watts. Due to high demand, Evan is offering 2 workshops in winter 2026.  There are still a few spots left!  Learn more and book your spot HERE. To learn more…

“That the tract of land in the Territories of Montana and Wyoming, lying near the headwaters of the Yellowstone River,… is hereby reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy, or sale under the laws of the United States, and dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the…