Grizzly in Summer Snow

About this photograph

A Yellowstone grizzly pauses in falling snow on the final day of June—a remarkable encounter from a father-daughter photography trip.

My teenage daughter wanted me to teach her wildlife photography, so we planned an early morning in Yellowstone while staying in Cooke City. An unexpected summer snowstorm was in the forecast, making the weather uncertain and the roads increasingly difficult.

We got up at 4:00 a.m., bundled against the cold and set out despite the poor visibility. The effort paid off: over the course of the day, we spotted twelve different bears, including this grizzly standing among summer grass and wildflowers as fresh snow fell around it.

As the day wore on, conditions deteriorated and roads across the higher elevations began to close. Dunraven Pass—the direct route between Canyon Village and Tower Fall—was closed before we were ready to return. We had to take a long detour back to Cooke City, adding several hours to an already eventful day.

The difficult weather gave us far more than we expected: a memorable day spent learning photography together and an unusual portrait of Yellowstone caught between two seasons.

With its direct gaze, richly textured coat and visible falling snow, this grizzly bear photograph brings the character of Yellowstone into a home, cabin, lodge or office. It also makes a meaningful gift for bear enthusiasts, wildlife lovers, photographers and anyone with a special connection to Yellowstone National Park.