I couldn't wait to go. I was equal measure nerves and excitement, and not too far that the little kid who was back in Montana when she was 11.... that was in 1979, what! Now it was 2008, I was a photographer and a producer working in NYC, yet of course, not photographing or working in any environment anything like I had ever seen in Montana when I was a kid. It was a long time coming. Over twenty-five years.
The whole concept was wild, like wild considering my aunt lived In Montana and I loved her and, of course, love Montana. Who doesn't honestly..... it was April, May, and I wasn't that long married. My wife at that time, wasn't able to travel with me for this trip due to work commitments. It was okay. She was kind of shy, and uncomfortable in new environments, and with new people, so likely worked out for the best.
Things were rough in NYC with finding work around this time. The writer's strike was not long over and everyone was taking anything they could to get by. I flew out to Montana with an iPhone 3, I think, a small Sony digital snappy cam, and a Nikon D200 with an F3.5 28-70mm Nikon Zoom that I'd just bought. It was all I could afford at that time. I was trained on Canons but I loved, loved this Nikon camera but had never tried the lens. The zoom looked like an old school lens, all metal looking, with the stops and info all over it like graphs! It was a work of art for me, so fell in love with her when I saw her. Love at first sight so to speak. Pun casually intended....Anyway....
Once I landed, I felt giddy and silly like a little kid again, racing through the airport to meet my Auntie. It's not a big airport so it didn't take such a long run but if really felt like it was the most epic amount of time before I got to the baggage claim, then raced over to my Aunt who was in the terminal waiting for me. There were many hugs and many tears. We rushed outside to climb into my Uncle Chris' car, more hugs with Chris then, off we went in his big red Suburban SUV truck.
We left for Yellowstone after a few fabulous days of food, wine and catch ups on the deck! We packed like champions and headed out on the road early, not long after sunrise.
Even the ride along the Highways in Montana are epically beautiful. You just need to point your phone or camera out through the window and grab a snap it would be perfect. We took a few stops along the way, through routes that were still packed with snow but you could start to see wildlife already. Just glorious. By the time we reached West Yellowstone it was quite late and as we headed to our cabins, the Yellowstone meadows had Bison meandering by us. I love Buffaloes and of course snapped more pictures along the route.
I loved seeing them, just hanging out there. There had been a big bush fire in Yellowstone earlier in the year, so seeing this still lush part of the park and buffalo on there was really something. We rested that night, had some good food and lovely chats, then crashed early in prep for heading around the park the next day. I was in my element surrounded by this amazingly beautiful place and all the gorgeous animals, seen and unseen.
Next morning, we were out while the dew was still on the meadows. It was beautiful and so tranquil. I can't exactly remember which part of the park we went to first, but it was all as gorgeous as I could remember. We got into some slow moving traffic, where this beauty could be seen hanging out in the woods by the edge of the road. I've loved Buffaloes since the first time I ever saw them here those twenty-five years ago. I remember my mum filming them with a Super 8 camera. There was a lot more Buffalo to be seen back then.
I do remember after stopping for a quick bite to eat after our Buffalo sighting. We weren't too far from the Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River at this point I think. Another amazing place of the many in the park. We slowed up a little as there was a little bit of activity on the side of the road. There was a bit of a drop into a more wooded area but will lush foliage when Spring in full bloom. I grabbed my camera and hopped out of the car. My aunt and uncle didn't get out, but rolled down the windows. You could plainly see a family of elk a little further into the foliage.
I moved further up the road away from all the people standing there and gently edged down the side of the hill leading to the foliage. I didn't want to get too close to the elks in case I startled them. No matter what I did though, I knew they would clearly feel my presence. I went a little closer and then a little closer then stopped. I already had my camera set and ready to go but then I felt really very tentative about even taking a photograph; I felt like I was intruding on them.
As a photographer, I've always had this sense of pause for everything which seems counter-productive, although, I've found it does the opposite. I dunno. It's just a respect thing and I've always had a little bit of restraint momentarily and then go for it.
I moved even closer still and then could hear my uncle telling me to be careful. I stopped for a moment and moved my hand super slowly up towards the direction of his car, letting him and my aunt know I'd heard him, then keep on going, baby steps. I gently brought my camera around to the front of my body and as I lifted it up to my face ready to snap a picture, the Elks at first, seemed totally unaware of me, although I knew they had to be, then the little one just lifted his head and looked right at me. I paused for an instant again and then looked right at her, then pressed the shutter.
I felt like I was intruding but I pressed the shutter all the same and stayed there for a little while photographing a little more, but not too long as I felt like a had taken enough photos and wanted to give them some space. There were still people on the other side of the hill taking pictures and filming video. There would be so many more people through there that day, and the next doing the same. I was just so happy that I had to able to spend some time with them and have a fleeting little eye contact with the little one before looking away.
I walked back up the hill and got into my uncle's car. My aunt turned around and smiled at me, as did my uncle, and, saying nothing, off we went, away from the Elks on to making more memories.
About the Creator
Lisa Carville
Working director, producer, writer. Photographer for many years, wannabee surfer and absolute silly billy.
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Icy Chaos in Central and Eastern Europe
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By Muhammad Hassan2 days ago in Earth
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By Muhammad Hassan5 days ago in Earth
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