Glacier Park Photographer

Fall in Glacier National Park, Big Sky Journal Interviews Tony Bynum

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 20:17:00 +0000

Glacier National Park is a paradise. People often emerge from their first visit to the Park and feel like their lives have been forever fundamentally changed. At the very least, no one ever forgets their first visit to Glacier National Park.

A cow moose wanders across a small pond in Glacier National Park, Montana. © Tony Bynum
This and other images of Glacier National Park are for sale on Tony's website.

People often return to take more photographs, smell the flowers, hike and climbed the peaks and raft the rivers. So when the Editors of the Big Sky Journal called Tony to talk to him about fall wildlife photography in Glacier, he was happy to talk.

Big Sky Journal Interview

Tony Bynum talks about photography in Glacier National Park in this interview published in the Big Sky Journal. You'll also find two other interviews one from a bird photographer, the other about photographing in Yellowstone.

You can find the entire article online here at this link Tony Bynum Interview - Big Sky Journal

Or, you can purchase the Magazine, either by subscription, or the newsstand in Montana.

UPDATE ON FALL CONDITIONS

As of September 6, 2017, fall colors are outstanding on the west-side, but fading on the east. A recent cold snap and snow froze the much of the remaining foliage slowing its transformation from green to brilliant orange and yellow. Many areas still have green leaf's next to trees with no leaf's left.

The following day, stiff winds stripped away a lot of the ripe leaves. There still are pockets of color, and it's still worth a trip. I predict however that after next week, the color will be mostly gone from the east side.

"Sunrise sun on Rising Wolf" Rising Wolf Mountain, Two Medicine Vally, Glacier National Park, Montana. © Tony Bynum

Go Photograph the Larch

That's not all bad because just as we lose all the color on the east side, the larch begins to go crazy on the west. I recommend you check them out too.

Larch trees in Glacier National Park, Montana

Colorful larch trees layered in front of green fir trees and a snow covered hill in Glacier National Park, Montana

Stong contrast from the bright orange of the fall larch creates a nice visual.

A larch fired ridgeline descends down into Kintla Lake on Glacier Natioanl Park's West Side. The fall larch is a sight to behold.

Colorful Larch trees reflect in ripply waters of the Flathead River, Glacier National Park, Montana

Click here for more photographs of fall trees

Have a great fall!

Glacier National Park Summer Fires

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 15:19:00 +0000

Glacier National Park summer fires sparked by recent storms.

CRITICAL UPDATE!!!!

Photograph of a storm over Glacier National Park, Montana. Recent lightning strikes in Glacier National Park have started a number of small fires. © tonybynum.com

This is a press release from the NPS. This post is a public service to help spread the word to visitors and those planning to visit.

August 11, 2017

Media Inquiries Only:

Lauren Alley 406-888-5838

Kelly Stevens 406-888-7895

MEDIA17-39

Multiple Fires in Park Following Storm

Some backcountry campgrounds and trails are closed. All roads remain open.

WEST GLACIER, MT. – A storm that moved through the park late yesterday afternoon triggered approximately 150 lightning strikes throughout the park. Multiple fires have been reported.

Fires are suspected or known in the Apgar Lookout area, the Nyack area, Sprague drainage, and Camas drainage. Visit the following website for estimated fire sizes: http://www.wildcad.net/WCMT-KIC.htm

The following trails are closed: Apgar Lookout Trail, Howe Ridge Trail, Camas Trail, Trout Lake Trail, the Sperry Trail from Lake McDonald to Sperry Chalet (including all secondary trails such as Synder Trail), John’s Lake Trail, and Lincoln Lake Trail.

Backcountry campgrounds in the areas listed above are closed and backcountry users in those areas are being walked out. Those include Arrow, Camas, Snyder, Sperry, and Lincoln Backcountry Campgrounds.

Other backcountry areas in the park are still open for day use. No new overnight backcountry permits will be issued today to reduce the number of people overnighting in the backcountry while the park assesses the impacts from last night’s storm.

Sperry Chalet guests will either hike out via the Gunsight Pass Trail or remain in place while the Sprague fire is being assessed. Guests with reservations for tonight will not be able to access the chalet. Additional updates will be available as the fire is further evaluated. The structures in the Sperry Chalet complex are not immediately threatened, however, the main trail accessing the chalet may be impacted by the fire.

No horseback rides will depart from the Lake McDonald Corral today.

A Type III incident commander has been assigned and additional resources are being ordered. The initial attack for these fires is being managed with park and Flathead National Forest fire management staff and law enforcement, including air support.

Most areas of the park remain open including all areas of the North Fork (all closures have been lifted from earlier this week), Apgar Village, the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Granite Park Chalet, Two Medicine, St. Mary, and Many Glacier.

Fire managers expect hot and dry conditions to persist through the weekend. Additional trail closures are possible as conditions change or new fires are detected. Visitors should check the park’s trail status page for the most current closure information. https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/trailstatusreports.htm

The park is currently experiencing a power outage on the west side of the park unrelated to the fires. The outage extends beyond the park boundary. This may impact the park’s ability to provide up to the minute fire updates.

This is a press release from Glacier National Park.

Thank you, and be safe out there.

Tony Bynum.

Glacier National Park - Crown of the Continent Ecosystem - Bear Research

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Tue, 16 May 2017 15:19:00 +0000

In a press release issued May 15, 2017 Glacier National Park announced that it will begin it's annual inter-agency effort to monitor grizzly bears throughout the Crown Ecosystem. The Park Services is asking the public to avoid entering trapping locations, and always have your bear spray handy and know how and when to use it.

A young male grizzly bear. © Tony Bynum

Here's a grizzly location map from about 2008 . . . By the looks of it, at least within the study area and on it's margins, Grizzly bears have been, or will likely be everywhere at one time or another. Sure, some will venture beyond where humans think they should go, after all, they are still bears. Click here see more photographs of wild grizzly bears.

The dots represent the average location of each bear. Glacier Park is north of Highway 2 and south of the Canadian Boarder. Source: Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks, "Montana Outdoors," Magazine, 2009.

According to the press release, areas where bears are actively being trapped or baited will be marked and flagged so heed the warring and avoid entering these areas. Research is a necessary part of management our resources. We should respect the request and not disrupt the data collection activities, or the bears for that matter. In a similar story, a number of years ago a man was actually killed by a bear after entering a study closer area.

Thoughts on Bear Management

Although I personally believe we have the data we really need at this point (researchers will always come up with more questions than answers). I believe the real problem for our bears, and most wildlife is not that we don't know enough about them, but we don't do enough of the right things, to allow them to live. It comes down to habitat, and politics.

The two things, loss of habitat though encroachment mostly from new homes and towns expanding into the remaining high quality habitat, and the strength of the political machine to talk about the importance of habitat but then make decisions that, at least for the foreseeable future (our lifetimes and our children's) are not good for wildlife, particularly bears.

A grizzly bear sow with her two cubs. © Tony Bynum

As a society we can't just leave a trial a trail, we have to turn it into a road. A road then becomes a highway and soon enough there are 14 foot fences down either side of a 500 foot easement streaming semi's and cars, 3 wide each way for miles. Yet we still study bears to try to find out what they need. I'll tell you what they need. To start, they need space and to be left un molested.

I've always thought we could do away with most of the monitoring, and expense, if we would do things that we know protect the habitat. But since we cant do that, we have to keep looking for more minutia or that silver bullet that says, "if we do this, it will be okay, go ahead and drill right here."

More education and less study is what we need. We need an ecological ethic.

Well folks, I'll leave you with this from Aldo Leopold:

“The time has come for science to busy itself with the earth itself. The first step is to reconstruct a sample of what we had to start with. That in a nutshell is the Arboretum.” The Arboretum and the University, The River of the Mother of God.

Full copy of the Glacier National Park Grizzly Monitoring Press Release

May 15, 2017

Lauren Alley 406-888-5838

MEDIA17-18

Annual Bear Monitoring and Capturing Begins

Visitors urged to be alert and follow bear safety protocols while hiking in the park

WEST GLACIER, MT – Each year, Glacier National Park participates in an interagency effort to monitor grizzly bear population trends in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem.

To monitor population trends, bait stations, automated cameras, and traps are used to capture and mark the animals. There are an estimated 300 grizzly bears living in the park. The park’s goal is to maintain a sample of up to 10 radio-marked female grizzly bears for this monitoring effort. This year, some bears may receive a collar for the first time. Others may have a collar replaced if it is near the end of its useful lifespan.

Brightly colored warning signs identify bait stations and trap sites. Visitors are required to heed these signs and not enter closed areas. In 2010, a man was killed by a grizzly bear seven miles east of Yellowstone National Park after wandering into a capture site. Trapping efforts will continue May 15 through October at various locations throughout the park.

“Glacier National Park is bear country, and park visitors should be prepared for bear sightings, in addition to following other hiking safety precautions,” said Jeff Mow, Glacier National Park Superintendent.

Park visitors should travel in groups and make loud noises by calling out or clapping their hands at frequent intervals, especially near streams, and at blind spots on trails. These actions help avoid surprise bear encounters. Do not approach any wildlife; instead, use binoculars, telescopes, or telephoto lenses to get a closer look. Visitors should maintain a minimum distance of 100 yards from any bear within the park.

While carrying firearms within national parks and wildlife refuges is permitted as consistent with state laws, proper use of bear spray has proven to be the best method for fending off threatening and attacking bears, and for preventing injury to the person and animal involved. Wounding a bear, even with a large caliber firearm, can put you and others in far greater danger.

Anyone participating in recreational activities in bear country is highly encouraged to have bear spray. The bear spray should be readily accessible, and hikers should know how to use it.

Visitors should store food, garbage and other attractants in hard-sided vehicles or bear-proof food storage boxes when not in use. Garbage must be deposited into a bear-resistant trash can or dumpster. These actions help keep bears from becoming conditioned to human food, and help keep park visitors and their personal property safe.

Visitors should report any bear sightings or signs of bear activity to the nearest visitor center, ranger station or by calling 406-888-7800 as soon as possible.

In addition to bear safety precautions, hikers in Glacier National Park should review other safety measures to take when exploring park trails. To help plan day hiking trips in the park, Glacier offers a Day Trip Plan to help visitors prepare for their hike. Before departure, it is vital to tell someone where in the park you are going, and how long you expect to be gone. Visitors should carry the ten essentials, including a map of the area, a compass, a flashlight, extra food, extra clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen, a pocketknife, matches in a waterproof container, a candle or other fire starter, and a first aid kit. Visitors should also carry bear spray and be prepared for suddenly changing weather events.

For more information about how to safely explore Glacier National Park, visit http://www.nps.gov/glac.

Glacier National Park - new boating rules may help protect the Park Waters from invasive species

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Tue, 09 May 2017 16:59:00 +0000

DO NOT PLAN TO USE YOUR OWN WATERCRAFT ON EAST SIDE LAKES UNTIL JUNE 1, 2017! Lake Mcdonald and the North Fork area lakes will be open for personal, nonmotorized, hand carried boats only (NO TRAILERS WILL BE ALLOWED IN GLACIER PARK WATERS AT ALL) on May 15, 2017 - WITH LAUNCH PERMIT ONLY!

Stormy waters on Saint Mary Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana. © Tony Bynum

Last year Glacier National Park officials closed park waters, under an emergency order, when invasive, non-native muscles were found just east of the Blackfeet Reservation at Tiber Dam. Tiber Dam is about 120 miles east of Glacier Park and sits 10 miles south of Highway 2, between Chester and Galata - yep, between Chester and Galata . . .

A single boater on Lake Mcdonald, Glacier National Pake, Montana. © Tony Bynum

This year, although the threat still remains and likely will forever, Glacier National Park has crafted new regulations for the 2017 summer season. (link to Glacier National Park boating page with new rules). Here is an exert from the Glacier National Park boating page.

You must thoroughly clean, drain, and dry all of your boating, wading, and fishing equipment before coming to the park. A free launch permit is required to launch all non-motorized watercraft in Glacier National Park. In order to qualify for the permit, all such boats, arriving at the park, must be cleaned, drained, and dried prior to inspection by NPS staff. Boats that pass inspection will be issued a launch permit, which is valid as long as your watercraft stays in the park. It is critical that all boats be cleaned, drained, and dried or a permit will not be issued.

Boat trailers are not permitted to enter park waters. All trailered non-motorized watercraft must be hand carried to launch points.

Inspection stations for hand-propelled watercraft will be located on the west side of the park in Apgar Village (for Lake McDonald and North Fork area lakes), and the east side of the park at Two Medicine, St. Mary, and Many Glacier Ranger Stations.

Though launch hours are not restricted, inspection hours are limited. Hours vary throughout the park and will be adjusted seasonally. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, permits are available from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Apgar boat ramp (Station closure time will be adjusted as summer daylight wanes) and from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at all other locations - St. Mary Visitor Center, Two Medicine Ranger Station, and the Many Glacier Ranger Station.

Boaters wishing to launch on any North Fork lakes must obtain a permit at Park Headquarters, and then immediately proceed to their North Fork launch location after inspection.Boaters living in the North Fork area who wish to boat in North Fork lakes, should contact the Polebridge Ranger Station for inspection procedures.

Glacier National Park only provides boat inspections and permits for boaters launching on park waters. Inspections and launch permits for Blackfeet tribal waters are available on U.S. Hwy 2 between East Glacier and Browning and at Chewing Black Bones Campground, just north of St. Mary MT. (https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/boating.htm)

This is, in my view, a logical response to the threat of waterborne invasive species. I don't like it, but it's logical and probably the best option.

There are holes and issues that still need addressing, but until the Park Services can come up with a better plan, I think caution is the better park of valor.

Issues that still need addressing publicly.

Local boaters. What about local people who's boats only go into Glacier Park waters and never leave the area? Many local people live and recreate in the Park. Every time we leave the official boundary of the Park we have to get reinspected. There should be a special use permit for those of us who live here and regularly use Park waters with our own personal watercraft. There could be a provision that if the watercraft is used in any other water, it must be re-inspected, otherwise, it can be used.
Issues related to Park boundary waters like the Middle Fork (not in the park but is the southern boundary) and the North Fork of the Flathead River, and Lower Two Medicine Lake, and Waterton Lake. According to GNP Officials, Waterton Lakes also has a moratorium on motorboats but allows self inspection of hand paddled boats). The question is, how are we going to keep invasive species out of waters located in multiple jurisdictions? The "flimsy" inspection program won't be enough. It's a start but until the NPS Glacier National Park makes a real public relations push I fear we'll wind up with invasive species in the Park. The Blackfeet Tribe is requiring boat and wader inspections too!

Option for those who want to boat Glacier Park but done/can't/won't bring your own boat.

Use Glacier Park Incorporated boats - expensive and now, due to increased demand, will be harder to rent. But, you can rent canoes and other paddle style boats, or take a ride on one of the historical, guided boat tours.

Glacier Park Boat Company operates several historic boats. This is Swift Current Lake in Glacier National Park. © Tony Bynum

Happy Boating - Swift Current Lake, Many Glacier, Glacier National Park - © Tony Bynum

Link to additional Glacier National Park Photographs

Always wear your Personal Floatation Device. Happy Boating in Glacier National Park. Tony Bynum

Spring in Glacier National Park - first "dark sky's" designation - but what will users do about it?

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 14:32:00 +0000

It's raining and snowing here in Glacier National Park, at least on the "wild-side" of the park - east glacier to the Canadian Border. For the people who live along the eastern flanks of the Rocky Mountains, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, the eastern border of Glacier Park, spring means warmer temperatures and receding snow lines but it also means wet weather.

The snow line is receding, the grass is greening but the clouds are providing ample rain and snow.

This particular spring is a bit cooler and wetter than it has been in the past few years. I predict a later opening for the Going to the Sun road than last year, but it should be open in June! Lately, we've had cool nights, cool days, some rain mixed with snow, lots of clouds, slowly greening grass, and the pasque flower is blooming!

The first prominent prairie wildflower of the spring.

Looking west across the southern end of the Blackfeet Reservation into Glacier National Park and Saint Nick.

Going the Sun Road near Saint Mary Lake. © Tony Bynum

I wanted to bring to your attention the news that Glacier National Park was just given the honor of being the first "Dark Sky's" park. What is a Dark Sky's park? It's one where there's a strategy to consider and reduce ambient scattered light. Where stargazers and photographers can go to take photos of the night sky. Here's the full article about Dark Sky's and Glacier-Waterton Peace Park.

Sounds like a fantastic idea. I have one request, please, if you're into night photography, stop using massive amounts of annoying bright light in your photography and just use what the stars, moon, and nature provides. What I mean is, how about not adding light sabers, torches, lighting rocks and tents, no more of it, please. It sucks when you're watching over Lake Mcdonald or Saint Mary Lake and you have to watch light saber duels flashing around all night, it's become a very strange thing. I wonder why people don't take a more careful measure of their impact on the people around them?

Various ways "Dark Sky's" are wrecked by people who love dark sky's adding bright lights. It's rather amazing that the people who love to star gaze seem to also love to shine bright lights around in the sky. I don't get it. This is a screen grab off google photos.

Switching gears. The opening day of Serrano's restaurant has become something of a milestone. The town of East Glacier comes out of its winter slumber on May 1st, the day Serranos restaurant opens. In the past few years, it's been pretty popular so get there early, I think they open at 4pm.

If you're interested in food during the winter months, Ramsey's "Fire Brand" is open year around, and Mark Howser, popular "Two Medicine Grill" opens early to serve you and is a year around restaurant connected to a small, but well-stocked grocery store. You can get beer, wine, ice cream, there's a deli and they make pizza too!

Finally, for gas in East Glacier, There are Bear Tracks. Bear Tracks offers beer, wine, milk, chips, and a wide assortment of foods. It's gas pumps are always open and the store is open year around as well.

If you're planning a trip to Glacier, please bring your bear spray and carry it where you can actually us it!

For more Glacier Park Photographs here's a link to Tony Bynum's gallery with a few Glacier Park Photographs.

Tony Bynum

Record Breaking Snowfall for East Glacier Park, Montana!

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 19:27:00 +0000

It's not widely known that East Glacier Park just dug out from over 60" of snow. Little is know broadly about winters in East Glacier Park - until now.

I want to share with you a short, time-lapse I created. You'll see me move a mountain of snow after the epic winter snowstorm of February 2017.

Enjoy

Glacier National Park - Guest Post Richard Horst

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 15:18:00 +0000

This is a departure from my normal musings. I asked a friend if he would write a story about his fist visit to Glacier National Park. He agreed.

Richard lives in the southern portion of Montana with his wife and two kids. He often visits Yellowstone, bud had never been to Glacier. This year, he and his wife drove up to Glacier Park for the fist time ever.

If you're interested in telling your Glacier Park Story, please let me know. I'd like to find a few people who would like to make regular contributions to this blog.

Here's Richards take on Glacier National Park.

It was really a no-brainer. The plans were being made to return and the sign from St. Mary's was still taking up the full width of the rearview mirror. Rejuvenated, elated, full of wonder and awe, my wife and I could hardly contain ourselves. We had spent the last 4 days trekking hikes on various trails through the east side in the Crown of the Continent. "We are so bringing the kids back next year," my wife said enthusiastically, "we just have to, this has to be an annual trip with them from now on!" She exclaimed. Up until this point, even after living in and around southwestern Montana for 15 years, we had never been to Glacier National Park.

Lunch break amongst the wild flowers with a view of Grinnell Glacier

I remember the feeling as we settled in the campground just outside St. Mary's. We had maps spread out like kids on Christmas morning planning our 4 days to explore. We wanted to cover as much country as we could, even if it meant wearing ourselves out! Well, we succeeded in doing just that. Each day we completed 8-15 mile unbelievable round trip hikes - from the more difficult Grinnell Glacier and Iceberg Lake hikes to the easier Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake loop. Socks worn thin, sore legs and backs, evidence of blisters and all, it was perfect! Since that first trip, we have been like mini marketing gurus for GNP, for those of you who have been there know, this area is like no other. We knew we had just barely scratched the surface of what this magnificent place had to offer and decided it was our goal from now on to explore as much of it as we possibly can.

Lake Josephine's mirror

My photography of Glacier is in its infancy. However, that's part of the wonder of it all. Planning, exploring and creating. It is such a vast and diverse place that wildlife excursions can also lead to panoramic landscapes, portraits of lakes and mountains, picturesque waterfalls, wild flowers, even historic buildings and bridges. Everywhere you gaze is literally a work of art. My camera pack is always full and it's easy to get your mind in a scramble. That's the fun part though - it is always an adventure! And while wildlife is invariably my primary focus, I am always looking to connect with my surroundings in nature. That is why I have often found myself overwhelmed with the power and mystique that blankets GNP.

High above "The Lick"

This year was our 3rd annual excursion to GNP and each time, not wanting to leave, I have managed to find a way to extend my stay longer and longer. On this trip, the first 4 days we spent as a family, choosing less strenuous adventures the kids could handle. But the next two days I spent there alone, on a mission to add more and more photographs to my ever growing collection. For me as a photographer the trick is starting early, as the evidence of first light barely tickles the tops of the trees. At this time of day you can have many places in GNP all to yourself for longer than you think.

Two Medicine area of East Glacier

Your mindset needs to be wide open though - with the only plan of the day to be back to the trailhead by dark. Even the "tourist hot spots" can be near vacant for a fraction of time if you plan it right. Go there early, or very late in the day even, and the wonder of it all can be yours exclusively, but if only for a few moments. Those moments can seem like hours.

There is something very spiritual and healing in Glacier National Park. For me, the "Mountains are my Medicine."

Maybe I'll see you there... and I press the shutter release...

A kid being a kid and cooling off in the summer sun

Thanks for listening and if you have a moment visit my images over on my website.

www.richardhorstphotography.com

Glacier National Park - Black and White and Uncommon Views

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 23:49:00 +0000

The leaves have fallen. Glacier Park's fall colors came about two weeks early this year. As quickly as they came, they disappeared - it all happened pretty quickly this year. On a scale of one to ten, ten being the best fall colors I've ever seen, I'd say this fall was about a 6 or 7 on the east side.

Black Bear in fall colors, Glacier National Park, Montana. Nikon D4, Nikon 200-400 f4, a-fs VR II. 1/500th @ f5 iso 400. © tonybynum.com

Generally, fall colors on the west side of Glacier National Park are fantastic - they're also more predictable. You can almost always find good color someplace. On the east side, it's always different from year-to-year and you never really know what you're going to get - it's very unpredictable.

But how important is color? We’ve seen a lot of saturated photographs of Glacier National Park. I’ve created a few colorful photographs of Glacier National Park myself. I’m sure some of you have also seen black and whites of Glacier too.

When the color goes away, or when I feel a need to put energy into my photography, I create black and white images. They are much harder to create, take more time and a lot more attention. Color can carry the image but black and whites are about shadows, lines, and composition.

Chief Mountain, Black and White - part of Chief Mountain is on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, and part is within the boundaries of Glacier National Park. The leaves have all dropped and winter is on its way in Northwest Montana. Notice that this composition breaks the rules. The subject is in the center. I find that my images are often better (more appealing to me) when I can break at least one rule. Nikon D810, Nikon 50mm 1.8, 1/125th @f8 iso 100. ©tonybynum.com

I’m often asked, “how many keepers do you get in a day?” It’s a hard question to answer.

Sometimes it’s one, maybe two. Other times none. On this day, I did okay. I think keepers are a matter of taste but I find that I do my best work when I’m stressed but able to remove myself from it and go to places where there’s solitude. This time of year, after all the tourists have left the Park, solitude abounds.

Two cow moose feed in a small pond in Glacier National Park. Nikon d810, 24-120, f4 af-s, 1/500th @f6.3, iso 100. ©tonybynum.com

While I’m creating images, I’m completely lost in the moment. Somehow I'm able to let the presence of time and the abundance of solitude take over. I create better images when there are fewer modern, mechanical noises. Fewer cars, and no people.

I allow things to flow. I seldom shoot with a tripod for this reason. A tripod limits my creativity. For me, the time it takes to set up a tripod boots me out of my flow. Sadly, I've never learned how to incorporate a tripod into my landscape photographs without disrupting the flow. Most of the time, I just need to shoot and not worry about composition and tripod placement. I allow myself to just see arrangements, lines, darks, and lights, and go, as they say, with the flow.

A stream leading to Rising Wolf Mountain, Glacier National Park. Nikon d810, Nikon 12-24 af-s 2.8, 1/125 sec @f11, iso 64. ©tonybynum.com

Don't get me wrong, I love photographing humans in their element, but sometimes I prefer to craft images when the world around me is calm. I mentioned stress. I find that when my mind is spinning with the news of the day or the stresses of life, when I leave it all behind, for just a morning, I create better photographs.

On this day I discovered that what caught my attention most were the shadows, not the usual bountiful colors we so often experience in such magical places.

Here're a few keepers from today. How many, I did not count them, you can if you like.

Rising Wolf and Sinopah in the distance, Glacier National Park, Montana. Nikon d810, Nikon 24mm f1.4, 1/2500 @ f4, 64. ©tonybynum.com

Sinopah Mountain, Glacier National Park, Montana. Nikon d810, Nikon 24mm af-s f1.4, 1/250 @ f8 iso 64. ©tonybynum.com

My favorite capture of the day. I particularly like this photograph. It has all of the elements that I look for in a good quality image. Shadows, clouds, a strong subject, and a broken rule - the subject is centered. Nikon d810, Nikon 24-120 af-s f4, 1/640 @ f6.3 iso 200. ©tonybynum.com

There's only one thing better than bringing a little bit of glacier home with you, and that's actually being here in the flesh. Click this hyperlinked text for more Glacier National Park Photographs.The link is safe, it will take you to more of my photographs of Glacier National Park.

Tony

Glacier National Park Destroying Itself from the Inside - Instagram and the Parks Reckless Social Media Program

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 12:53:00 +0000

Glacier National Park - Instagram posts are helping to destroy the Park Resources

If this were not about one of the most important public resources in America, and I was not compelled to help protect it, I would have dismissed it. This piece is controversial. I'm prepared to receive some backlash, even ridicule, and name-calling. That's okay, but before you make your comments - AND PLEASE MAKE THEM - consider this. This is not about me, I'm the messenger. This is about a current social, and resource management issue, one that if not dealt with aggressively now, will metastasize to the point where it will gobble up more time and resources than can be deployed by Glacier National Park to deal with them (if it hasn't already). Nip it in the bud now, and there's a chance to put this cat back in the bag. I'm alone in writing this. Whatever errors you find, grammar, spelling, even facts, etc., are mine. Please don't let them get in the way of the message.

Here's the heart of the problem, GNP is pimping the park though it's Instagram feed, and NOT using the powerful social media platform to educate and teach users about the Park. It is also not going after the bad actors. Instead, it's teaching people that it's okay to be reckless, inconsiderate, unsafe, and downright destructive. But why?

Glacier National Park - Historical Homelands, My Home, and a Piece of Heaven

For the past 15 years, I've lived in East Glacier Park, Montana - the locals just call it, "East Glacier." Highway 2 and the Burlington Northern railroad splits East Glacier on its way east across the "Hiline" to Chicago and west around the south end of Glacier National Park to Spokane, Portland, and Seattle. East Glacier is also home to the original Glacier Park lodge. East Glacier and the Lodge, are completely within the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and the Park shares it's the eastern border with the Reservation. The Blackfeet know it as, "The Backbone of the World."

I like to call this the "wild side." The east side is where visitors wind up because of its solitude, abundant wildlife, massive views out across the prairie, and access to the most splendid landscapes in all of North American. It's also where the most sensitive environments lie and where too many people, including the Park Service, are helping to increase missus of the Park through social media, in particular by posting provocative and suggestive photographs - with no proper explanation - to the popular photography app, Instagram.

The Instagram account for Glacier National Park - is a lot about "Ranger" Jake and his goal to grow the Park's Instagram account at any cost and at the expense of Glacier's resources.

Living in East Glacier year-around, I see the Park every day. I touch it, taste it, and feel it in my bones. Glacier National Park (GNP) is part of me, it truly is my home. I also see Park users day in and day out. Most are hugely respectable, kind, happy - or maybe grateful is more accurate - they follow the rules, have some deeper moral and ethical understanding of what it takes to protect a place from being over loved. Most pack their trash out, they don't often detour into closed areas, but mostly, they respect other users. When things are going well, and people are respecting the place and each other, the Park can handle the massive, annual visitor numbers.

I've hiked much of the park, bagged some of the most well known peeks, photographed wildlife from east to west, and north to south. I've boated on or swam in many of its lakes, including far-off ice-filled ones, and I've introduced my children to this heavenly land. We're relatively new here, the Blackfeet have known this land for thousands of years. All the more reason to respect and protect it.

Glacier National Park and the National Park Service

Glacier was created in 1910 by an act of Congress, and signed by President Taft. This means Glacier predates the National Park Service (NPS) by 16 years.

2016 marks 100 years since President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill creating the National Park Service (NPS).

"the Service thus established shall promote and regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national parks, monuments and reservations…by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purpose of the said parks, monuments and reservations, which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."

The mission and purpose of the NPS is to protect the park's resources and leave them "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Arguably an enormous and lofty goal, particularly in light of the demands now placed on the park's already limited resources. Shrinking budgets, a spoiled political culture, increased demands, overuse, higher frequency of damaging weather events all are making it difficult for GNP to maintain, never mind improve, the conditions of the Park. In fairness, the new Going to the Sun Road is a stunning landmark and a monumental accomplishment! Most of the full-time park employees are good people who love the park and do what they can to ensure it's protected.

Now, pile on the new, relentless, uninhibited spirit of adventure, the unrelenting drive by the "Gopro-Culture," kids with unlimited resources and motivation to find something exceptional, noticeable and to them, worth doing in life. Couple this energy and a camera or a camera phone, add access to social media, and you have the makings of an ever more rapid increase in resources degradation throughout our national park system.

Sadly, and most alarming, Glacier National Park's social media program is helping lead the way by encouraging misuses though it's Instagram feed by sharing photographs of people doing things that are at least questionable, and in some cases outright against Park policy.

Posting Photos of closed areas but not describing they're closed.

In GNP's race to show the world how beautiful the place is, is in some cases promoting the use of areas closed for resource protection. Thousands of likes and comments on Instagram and Facebook, such as, "wow, where is that," "I want to go there," "how do I get to that place," followed often by the answers, only help make things worse for all users of the park by encouraging people to trespass into areas closed for resources protection.

Meanwhile, without describing the closure (helping to educate visitors) and asking people to respect the rules, the comments and kudos, (tapping beer mugs) go on. I wrote about the Logan Pass area closer in an earlier post "Glacier National Park - Landmark area now closed to the public."

The image below was clearly taken from a closed area in Glacier Park. Whether it was taken before or after the closer makes no difference, the area is closed. Therefore, either GNP should not post the image, or it should use the platform to help educate users, not entice them into trespassing! This was a great opportunity for GNP to mention that the area around Clements Mountain, and Reynolds Creek as well, are close to off-trail travel and briefly explain why. Beautiful Photograph by the way.

Below is a photograph of a handicapped person with his three-wheeled vehicle at the foot of Avalanche Lake. That's quite an accomplishment! However, as great a story as this is, it's simply unwise to not mention that bikes are not allowed on trails in Glacier National Park and describe, in a few words, why this event took place.

The above image should have had a definition of the Park regulation related to the Americans with Disabilities Act . . . That way people would know that while this is a wheeled mechanized device, it's also allowed under GNP's ADA provision. Section 1.5 ii) "Trails, Campgrounds, and Areas:

A) The use of any type of non-motorized wheeled conveyance (i.e. canoe dolly, cart, etc.)

anywhere in the backcountry is prohibited. Wheelchairs as defined in the Americans with

Disabilities Act (ADA) may be used by persons with disabilities."

This photo provides a great opportunity to describe the wildlife policy in the park. This photos is exactly what people what to see when they come to Glacier, only not this close. Right? Here's a link to another article I wrote about wildlife and glacier parks new wildlife protection regulations.

The image below is from the account of the Instagram manager - Lets grab some brews dude, hang a hammock and have some relaxation time . . . Is that promotion of a product? Hmmm . . . Personally, I love the idea, but it's unwise to share this kind of image, particularly if you're the federal employee who's responsible for the GNP Instagram feed. . . I'm sorry, live it up, but what's the point in posting this? It's all about "see how cool I am." No thought of how it might influence other's to do the same on the shore of Bowman Lake. Or, maybe this is the kind of thing that GNP is now promoting? Great product placement too. Thanks Jake.

The public expects more from public employees. I'm not suggesting that if you're a civil servant you should not drink beer, I'm suggesting that as a civil servant you're expected to follow the rules and at a minimum keep this kind of thing between yourself and your friends, not post it for the entire world to see. Take the hammock down and get rid of the advertisement for the beer company and it would be acceptable. Two beers crashing together, a thumbs up followed by the hashtag #glaciernps. For those that don't know, #glaciernps is also the account for Glacier National Park "glaciernps," the nps stands for National Park Service. In just about any other segment of our federal administrative system, this kind of post would not only be unacceptable, it could get you a meeting with the boss. Don't forget, this is the public account of the person who is in charge of GNP's Instagram account.

Below are more images selling a product or in the very least the author is trying to get the attention of the manufacturer of the coffee. Do we want to encourage people to use the Park as their product photo studio? We can if we get the proper permits for photographing models and props and if we're promoting a brand. . .

Above two images. Nice product shot Levi. Even Lakeside coffee thinks it's great, they ask in the comments if they can use it to market coffee on their Instagram account.

Good grief, not sure what to say about this one . . . But it is an example of the power of social media.

Just what we need more of, commercial photography and illegal camping in an unauthorized camp location.

Is this paid content advertising and product placement - i.e., commercial photography from Glacier National Park? Hmmm . . . lets ask Patagonia . . .

I wonder why we're thanking Filson, Bing, and Alaskair, was this a commercial shoot or is this guy just promoting himself?

I wonder if this guys' being paid? Looks like a model, a prop and a contract with Sunset Magazine and Tandemstock. Read it . . .

Cheers! More product photography, was this a commercial shoot for Highlander?

No product placement here!

"Instameets" wrecking park experiences and resources

Blast out a notice to all your followers that you want as many people as can attend to meet at a specific location, at a specific time. Gather 100's of people on the shore of Lake McDonald and have them share photographs of each other while tagging #glaciernps #glacier #glacierpark, #meetup and so on. Basically, create an opportunity for photographing models and props and spreading the word to the world that massive crowds in GNP are welcome. Here's an image posted by GNP from a recent #meetup on the Short of Lake McDonald, on the Parks west side. It was used to drive traffic to it's facebook page. Great advertising, nice photograph, but poor use of the lakeshore in Glacier National Park.

I suggest that if GNP is going to organize and sanction this kind of event, with this many people it follows it's own public gathering regulations and meets in the already approved public free speech areas.

No other group could get away with that number of people, in one group in the Park, particularly in such a relatively high use area. I'm sure there were lots of visitors affected by this mob. I have no doubt that this sea of Patagonia and Mountain Hardware was fun for some, but how is this protecting the Park's resources for future generations? To repeat, this is a GNP event marketed via it's social media platforms - can anyone answer, why this even is smart let alone allowed?

You and I would have to have a permit and likely GNP would not permit such activity on the shore of a lake. But this is advertising for the Park, by the Park, so it must be okay. Imagine the look on the enforcement officers face when he/she arrived to find this mob on the shore of the lake. Talk about "who needs enemies when you have friends like that." It's the job of the NPS to protect the resources for future generations, not help create a destructive and disturbing gathering.

Glacier National Park's Own Instagram Account

Below is a girl paddling a canoe in Swiftcurrent Lake, not wearing a life jacket. Sure, it was a cool angle, and the photo was well crafted, but why would GNP promote such mindless activities? You might think grizzly bears are the biggest threat to your life while visiting GNP. You'd be wrong. More people die from drowning either by swimming from shore, or falling overboard, and yet, on the Parks own Instagram feed this, and many more photos of boaters without proper personal flotation devises - this one's someone playing roulette with Swiftcurrent Lake.

Anyone who's knows much about Glacier knows that any lake in Glacier can go from calm to three-foot waves in a matter of minutes. I guess it was a cool photograph though, right? Think about this, what a great opportunity to educate the public, instead, "look at me, look at how cool I am," which continues to be the theme of the GNP Instagram account.

In another case, I commented on a post that showed a logo and was obviously promoting a brand (considered commercial photography in a national park) and I was told it was not commercial. How could it not be, it's promoting a brand and product. Even if it's not, GNP should use better judgment.

Below are more photos from the Parks Instagram feed. Imagine if every brand or product manufacturer made Glacier National Park its commercial photography studio? You may not have an issue with it, or you may even believe that's okay, but until the NPS changes the regulations, this is commercial photography and it's being promoted by GNP.

Another great opportunity to remind people to be safe and not boat without a personal flotation devise. Read the post next to the image and tell us if you can make any sense of it.

I love this one, promote diving off into rocks . . . It's legal, people do it all the time, but why not just leave it alone or in the very least caption this image by reminding people of this is how people die in Glacier National Park. . .

Okay, so we have no idea where this is, but until the Park has a policy on hammocks, this should just be left alone . . .

Again, and take a look at the contraption used to hang the hammock. Why would GNP post such an image?

What's to say about this one. Just dumb. Sure, it's fun, we've all swam in the icy cold waters of Glacier, but why is GNP promoting topless men, and diving into ice cold water? Search and rescue must need something to do.

Another great opportunity to share the a public announcement about the risks of hypothermia in Glacier. I would suggest this kind of imagery just not be posted by GNP. Is that a brand or is this promoting a product? Maybe it's the guy with no shirt on? Hmmm . . . Again, not appropriate . . .

What a great opportunity to talk about pets in the park, and why not? Well, because the GNP Instagram feed is about the social media people and their peeps . . . Not about creating the right image for the Park.

Okay, this is for real. Is this an image from the TV show, Cops? Why would GNP post a photo suggesting anyone race down the roads in Glacier? It's bad enough that our law enforcement offers have to spend so much time as traffic cops. . . Images have meaning and this one tells the wrong story.

Finally, fishing from a canoe. Why not say a little about the fishing regulations or tell us about lead and or bait fishing, and remind us to wear a personal flotation device.

All of the above images were taken from the Glacier National Park Instagram Page. In not a single post was there the slightest attempt to educate, or explain to the viewers that Glacier National Park is not an unlimited playground. By the look of it, however, it nearly is. Finally, in every case, the creator of the image is tagged and in some cases told to follow. This is unnecessary and should be stopped immediately.

Other Offending Instagram Accounts

Here are few more cases where people are promoting a product, brand or shooting models and props in the Park. The funny thing was, in June of 2016 I invited the NPS to be on a panel of experts to talk about commercial photography and permitting on public lands and national parks. The conference was sponsored by Professional Outdoor Media Association(of which I'm currently the Vice President) and because the location was Kalispell, it made perfect sense to have a representative from GNP attend and explain film and photography permitting in the Glacier.

Coincidentally, the park service representative used the scenario of photographing a whiskey bottle and how that would be considered commercial photography and require a permit. The photo below was posted to Instagram after the conference, it was taken in Glacier National Park.

In the case of the photograph below, "hoxiesox" clearly is stating he's using a model for a photoshoot in Glacier National Park. "Thanks for being my/everyone's model on this trip." This suggests there was multiple photographers and multiple trips . . . Again, using Glacier National Park as a private studio. The regulations clearly state, "models and or props." In this case it's a "model."

Quintontolman seems to be one of the biggest abusers of commercial photography in the park and even adds illegal camping to his bag of tricks. Number one, dispersed camping is not allowed without a permit. Second, erecting a tent outside of an authorized camping area is similarly not allowed. What's the difference between a tent and a hammock, particularly when it's set up in one of the most visited locations in the Park, the Saint Mary Lake, Wild Goose Island overlook. Imagine the response from all the people trying to get a photo of the lake only to find that a few knot-heads were setting up a camp right in plain sight!

More examples from quintontolman . . .

I love this one. Promoting a brand or product, this looks very much like a photo shoot for Flathead Brewing . . .

Probably the biggest offender of National Park Policy is @alexstrohl a professional photographer one time hired by the State of Montana to capture images for the State's own marketing campaign. Alex has almost 1.5 million followers on Instagram and often he will have well over 50,000 likes and hundreds of comments. He's a real agent! Here are a few of his recent images all taken in Glacier National Park and posted on his Instagram account. Glacier National Park follows his Instagram account.

Last we checked biking off road is not allowed, but for Alex, I guess biking along the shore of Saint Mary Lake, in front of wild goose island is cool . . . Besides that, it's illegal according to the Glacier National Park 2016 Compendium, Section 1.5 ii) "Trails, Campgrounds, and Areas:

A) The use of any type of non-motorized wheeled conveyance (i.e. canoe dolly, cart, etc.)

anywhere in the backcountry is prohibited. Wheelchairs as defined in the Americans with

Disabilities Act (ADA) may be used by persons with disabilities." I'm 100% positive that Mr. Strohl is not disabled and that in almost every case, it would be hard to make the argument that a two-wheeled bike, ridden along a lakeshore fits under the provision . . .

Okay, just park it in the lake, it's all good because we're down with fat tire bikes in the lakes of Glacier National Park. Again, this does not meet ADA policy under GNP. See above caption for reference.

Camping anyone? Sure, how about wherever we want . . . Nothing wring with a few feet from the shore right?

This one's great. How about setting up our tents on the bluff overlooking the lake? That would be cool if it were a campsite, but it's not. Alex is cool enough, rules dont matter to him . . . But I'm sure he'll come back and say, "I'm new here, I did not realize . . . " BTW, as cool as this shot is, the road is just out of the frame on the right.

Same as above . . .

Okay, park the tent right next to the lake . . .

Okay, cool, back again but this time with a new tent and a slightly different location/angle. Nice!

I know this is getting old right? But, again the law states, "4) Campsites must be located a minimum of 100 feet from lakes, streams, rivers
and other water sources." Sorry Alex, again you're not doing so great at being a good steward of the Park.

Okay, is great, lets burn down the tent while we're at it . . 1) Wood fires (other than personal wood fuel camp stoves) are prohibited in all backcountry areas, as well as unplowed auto campgrounds and picnic areas.

Hum, commercial shoot for Abitibico? Ambassadors?

Another post for Abitibico boats . . . I would not be surprised to find this and other images showing up in print. Or maybe this was a pay to play deal, a product shoot?

More "Hammock-Time" - this will destroy some of the most spectacular locations!

How many of you have ever tried to get comfortable in a hammock? They're about as comfortable as a box of rocks on a rail car. If you like to be folded up like a banana or you desire to have a broken back, get one and try it out in your back yard. Regardless of their utility or comfort, the movement to hang hammocks between two trees, no matter the location or the condition of the trees, is simply out of control. The surge will continue to grow exponentially until something is done to stop it. In the mean time, places are getting wrecked, trees broken, branches busted off from climbers, and many visitors experiences interrupted by hammock hangers who erect these contraptions in the middle of the most spectacular and most viewed locations in the Park!

A hammock set up along the shore of Saint Mary Lake, right below one of the most viewed locations in the Park. Sometimes, there are hundreds of people overlooking this scene from just to the right and above this hammock. This activity will get this location closed to the public, mark my words! Those trees are dead, ancient, and I guarantee you they broke branches attaching their hammock in between them. There are many images just like them on Instagram . . .

Overlooking iceberg lake has never been more fun then when you can do it in a hammock!

It was so much fun in the first place, how about doubles! Maybe we can break some more branches of if we get lucky, break a tree down or trample this location followed by another 100 people doing the same. We're soooooo coooool!

These trees are said to be over a 1000 years old. This particular one is along a trail in Glacier (I wont name the location for fear of helping other idiots find it and hang hammocks in it) but imagine what it took to hang this hammock? It's such a shame. Notice this is a hammock company posting this photograph.

It's a matter of perspective -

Our national parks use to be respected. People, including the NPS itself, use to take pride in our parks. But, when it comes to Glacier National Park, it seems some have lost their way, if they ever had it. Or, in the very least the operator of the Instagram account for Glacier is ignorant.

Glacier National Park is it's worst enemy when it comes to promoting stupid ideas, and in some cases, illegal activities. Furthermore, GNP is also tagging the creator of the image. What's that all about? GNP is basically operating the account like it's a commercial operation with little thought to how it's influencing the masses. It's almost like someone left the keys to the monster truck on the counter and 13 year old "Jonny" took them and tried to drive the truck over the neighbors Ferrari. Who does that?

Glacier National Park is under attack from the inside and out, and all that GNP wants to do is tell us they can handle the numbers and they have it under-control. Bring more visitors, send out more cool photos. . . The truth is, GNP is literally being consumed and degraded from all angles. The sky - via climate change - the ground - extreme doers, gopro nation, social media, photography, you name it.

As the kids go back to school, the tourism season winds down and Glacier National Park gets some solitude back. This year, will end with the highest numbers of visitors in one season - EVER! If you can imagine this, almost a million in July alone! That's like the entire population of our great state of Montana visiting Glacier, all in the same month!

What's behind the popularity? It's a variation of things.

1. National Park 100 Birthday
2. Cheap Gas
3. Instagram and Social Media
4. Combination of younger, mobile well-funded kids, and older, retired people who are trying to see the world's treasures before they die.

Those are just guessed but I think cheap gas is the main driver coupled with social media and so many people trying to be noticed by the world. It's becoming a real danger to the future of the Park. I can say this much, "we ain't seen nothing yet."

The Future

Even with all the people visiting Glacier with cameras of every kind, I expect Glacier Park to experience increased visitation. There are consequences to increased visitation. While there are a lot of good people that visit the park, there are a few that will do anything to get noticed and those people will ruin experiences for many. More places will be closed, and more rules will be crafted and to stop the people who just can not help themselves from doing stupid things.

Things like disbursed camping (erecting tents in the most dramatic locations), nude, and scanty photoshoots in popular-places, hanging hammocks in every cool spot where two trees grow, chasing wildlife with phone cameras, flying every kind of electric propeller-driven thing made, and so on. The Park Service generally and Glacier National Park specifically MUST get a handle on this problem before it completely loses control and the Park shuts down from complete miss management resulting in the description of one of the crown jewels of the planet. The public is watching people, and images have power!

Mark my words, base jumping, wings suits, fat-tire bikes, flotillas of floaters, extreme boaters who will cascade down anything that will float their pack rafts, lip ripping bull trout chasers, and additional illegal camping, invasive species, all are on the increase - to say NOTHING of the 90% of the main user's who seldom leave the road.

A few extremists will continue to ruin the Park for the masses. That's the trend and I have no reason to suspect it will change. I do not believe anyone of the people who are doing stupid things in the park will all of a sudden find ethics and decide to reign in their own desires to be discovered and become the next globe trotting national geographic explorer! Never mind that a career in the photography world, for most, is, at best, some free swag, maybe a shirt or some other apparel, a shared post or two and a "we'll help you get your name out there," but few are making any money yet many will help to get formerly visited places, closed. That will be a sad say as it will affect the other segment of the user group that has some level of restraint and common sense.

My Social Media Instagram Policy Recommendations

The vision and goals for social media must be outlined beginning with the purpose of the park. Nothing shall be posted that does not meet the standard for protecting the resources for future generations. Here's a list of specific rules I would enact.

GET a POLICY!
No sharing private, or non government account address's.
Limit posts to one, or two per day.
Consider developing a theme that corresponds to a message or park policy - NO random posts
Only post images of locations where you want people to go.
Never make a post without a positive park focused message.
Never post unsafe, or illegal activities - as cool as they may be.
No posting selfies, or driving social traffic to your personal account, or friends accounts.
No posting brands, models, or other commercial photography and no promotion of unpermitted services, products or brands.
No sharing images from abusive accounts - accounts that often post unpermitted and illegal activities in the Park - biking off trail, permitted camping, damaging resources, illegal fires, no hammock photos outside permitted camping areas, or camping outside of designated camping areas.
Always post a safety message when it comes to water pics and boating.
No off trail, off pavement instameetups or meetups, and they must be cleared by the special use office along with the local enforcement officer.
Do not post images, as beautiful as they are, from closed areas of the park without describing the closer and why it's close and asking for respect and participation.
No camping photos that are not clearly from an approved camp site, with a location listed.
The Instagram account manager will be responsible for recording, documenting, and reporting abusive accounts and reporting those accounts to law enforcement one per month.

Additional Reading - Instagram and Social Media wrecking our public lands and National Parks

Should anyone doubt me, here are few more articles were written about the subject of social media ruining our parks and environment . . .

Christina Adele Photography - a very well written piece from a National Parks social media employee now working in Yosemite. Give her post a read.

To them, the only purpose nature serves is to provide them with the shot that they can pump up in photoshop to gain more followers and impress their friends and family. They think about outdoing the shot the last person who visited got. They think about the now, and not about how their actions might affect these parks in the future. These actions continue to snowball as people do increasingly ridiculous things to outshine others.

http://www.christinaadelephotography.com/blog/how-social-media-is-destroying-our-national-parks

Hillary Oliver for, "Adventure Journal," wrote another nice piece about Instagram and how some users are helping to destroy out environment.

“I’ve noticed a disturbing trend as well … seems a few people will go to great lengths for a photo op, even if it means setting up a tent in a fragile or dangerous spot…most likely not even camping there, but the problem is that it inspires others to do the same…a major brand even started a hasthtag ‘camp everywhere.’ I just hope people use good judgment when they are camping in the wilderness.”

http://adventure-journal.com/2015/04/is-your-instagram-destroying-the-environment/

Why Did I Write This, resources and the business of photography?

You may find this post a little strange since I'm a professional photographer and have a blog titled "Glacier Park Photographer." You might wonder, why would a photographer, who makes his living selling photographs, be harping on the very medium that feeds his family? It sounds a bit like the cook calling the kettle black - doesn't-it? You'd think I would be one of the first to get out there and make some cool photographs of people in the Park.

The demand to be noticed is out of control. Instagram has created a way for people to explore, and post photos of people using products. It's simple to tag the brand or send the photo. Often the payment is in trading out gear, or apparel, in exchange for an Instagram post, and or, some cash. Often times the brands adopt "ambassadors," and expect them to get the clearance and follow all the rules when taking photographs. Most, don't follow the rules, don't get permits, or do anything more than race to find the most spectacular location before the next guy . . . To be sure, it's all about getting noticed, building brands, and making money. Most of the people who engage in this kind of activity, are amateurs looking for a way to "make it," land a photo-shoot, or become a brand ambassador.

I believe there are limits. I've watched GNP be overrun by people who's only motivation is to park their VW bus in a meadow, climb on top of the roof rack, and take a self-timed image to post to Instagram. In other words, it's selfish and all about their own ego. It has nothing to do with the Park, it's resources it's beauty beyond the fact that it makes a great photography studio. The last car shoot I did in the park, where I took few photos of the new Jeep for an editorial article in a car magazine cost me about $200 in fees, 4-5 hours in administrative time, a 40 page permit, not to mention I have to carry Glacier National Park specific insurance. Total cost for the shoot, about $800.

Some have argued that I don't understand the new generation of adventure photographers. Other's have called me washed up and unable to compete with the new hipster approach to photographing our national parks. I've been ban from the Glacier National Park's Instagram account for speaking out against it's poor choice of images and worse, policies about what and how post are made to it's Instagram feed. As much as the ban does not bother me, and I've since been reinstated, I believe the reason I was ban was becuase I spoke out about Glacier National Park's using images either that showed illegal activities, or in the very least, dramatized and encouraged questionable behavior. What follows should make my case.

Full disclose

I have photographed products in Glacier. I've also worked on major motion picture films in Glacier. The difference, I applied and paid for my permits, and they're not cheap! I have also photographed my family and friends in the Park, but there was no product placement or payment, it was for education and or memories. I know GNP is not following up on these photo-shoots to check to see if any of them had permits.

Finally

As we watch the Park be overrun, we should know that we can and should do something about it. GNP should imidiatly stop posting and sharing stupid, ill conceived images. It should review the recommendations and adopt them as needed. We should not allow this to continue for if we do, we will have only ourselves to blame. Photographs have power . . . Instagram and social media have power.

If you want to voice your concerns, leave a comment - they will get read by the superintendent of the Park. If you feel more compelled, please send comments or make a phone call. If you see stupid activities, report them. Stop a real Ranger and tell them what you're seeing. With some additional pressure from us, we'll help the Park Service do the right thing.

A link to the Glacier National Park Compendium (the rule book). You'll find a link to the pdf of the full document at the link above.

Email or call the Superintendent -

Jeff_Mow@nps.gov

406-888-7901

By Mail
Glacier National Park
Park Headquarters
PO Box 128
West Glacier, MT 59936

By PhoneVisitor Information
(406) 888-7800
Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD)
(406) 888-7806

About Tony Bynum

Tony Bynum is one of the most well known wildlife and traditional outdoor sporting photographers in America. He's currently the Vice President of the Professional Outdoor Media Association. A life long conservationist, hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman, Tony holds a Masters of Science degree in Resources Management (public lands watershed restoration and wildlife policy), undergraduate degree in Geography and Land Use Planning, and a minor in Environmental Studies. After working in Indian Country for a dozen years, including a two year assignment with the EPA in Washington D.C., he returned to the west where he was appointed by then Secretary of the Interior Gail Norton, to the Central Montana Resource Advisory Council (a federal advisory committee). The next few years Tony earned his living as senior scientist for a private consulting firm where he managed large scale scientific research projects across the United States. Tony quit the corporate world in 2006 to focus his attention on conservation, commercial, and outdoor photography. Today, Tony is hired to photograph TV, advertising, and conservation projects. He has over 150 cover photos and his images have been seen in all the major outdoor magazines. Tony was the location expert in Glacier National Park for the new Imax movie "National Park's Adventure," a Mcgilvery Freeman Film. Tony continues to make resources managment a cornerstone of his life. Watch for the forthcoming short documentary about Tony and how public lands, hunting, and photography sustain his lifestyle - Coming October 2016.

Glacier National Park Storm Cell Photographs

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 16:44:00 +0000

Glacier National Park Storm Cell Photographs

Storm cell over Glacier National Park, Montana. ©tonybynum.com

Two nights ago I was on my way to find something to photograph. As I contemplated which direction to go I noticed the light was flat and not really worth spending a lot of time on. I decided to drive out onto the prairie, a shot distance from my home and see if I could find anything interesting.

Well, as luck, or fate would have it, from out of nowhere it seamed, this storm developed over the southern end of Glacier National Park. These are a few photographs of the storm cell that developed over Summit and Little Dog Mountains and progressed north along the front range of Glacier National Park, Montana.

The Glacier National Park storm cell building and dumping rain on the Park. ©tonybynum.com

The Photographs

The first photos is of the storm cell developing and letting go of it’s moisture. The following images are the cell developing, beginning to collapse and then moving though the area dropping heavy rain and creating high winds. I’d say the winds locally were 50 miles per hour as the storm moved though. I eventually had to quit shooting because the wind and rain became unbearable. What’s interesting about these photographs of the Glacier National Park storm cell, is how uncommon and rare it is to see this kind of cell develop, almost out of know where, over the mountains, and this late in the season. We see them more often on the prairie.

The storm cell breaking apart and elongating as it moves north along the front of Glacier National Park, Montana. ©tonybynum

The middle of the cell opening up and dispersing. ©tonybynum.com

The storm cell over Glacier National Park, passing though northward with clearing sky's behind it. ©tonybynym.com

How the photographs were made and the photography equipment I used

All of the Glacier National Park storm cell photographs were taken with a Nikon D810, Nikon 17-35 f2.8 lens (Because I left my 14-24 in another Pelican case back home), mounted atop of a Really Right Stuff tripod / ball head combination with a bag of rocks hanging from the center support. The shooting data indicates that I was all over the place with my settings and for good reason, because I was. I created these images at various ISO’s from 31 (yes iso 31, the D810 goes that low) to 400 with shutter speeds ranging from a fraction of a second to up to 10 seconds and apertures from 3.2 to f22. What you cant really see in these Glacier National Park storm cell photographs is the lighting. There was lighting in the clouds, which is why there are lighter spots in the clouds. But what I did not capture were any of the lighting bolts. . . Unfortunately, my lighting trigger failed to pick up on the strikes (on the bright side, I got home and fiddled with it and got it working again, so now I’m ready for the next storm – which means the lightning storms are over for the year. . . Ha, Ha, Ha.

Please leave a comment and share to your Glacier National Park Friends! Happy Shooting! Tony Bynum

Summer in Glacier National Park - Flowers, Water, Paddling and Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 20:21:00 +0000

Glacier National Park, Paddling, Fishing, Photography - virtually alone!

As if paddling a canoe across Swiftcurrent lake, in Glacier National Park wasn't exciting enough, how about paddling it upstream, toward a sign posted on a bridge that read, "no rental boats in the stream." We knew that if we could make it beyond the sign, we would see few if anyone else along our journey.

Stacy paddling across Swiftcurrent Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana. Mount Wilbur in the distance. ©tonybynum.com

As we gently pulled through the parking lot at Many Glacier neither Stacy or I ever imagined the volume of cars and people in Glacier Park on this day. In all my years of being in Glacier National Park (I've lived here since 2002), I'd never seen anything approaching the numbers I saw on July 2, 2016 (keep in mind I always try to avoid crowds in the park and it is seldom that I'm anywhere near the popular spots during the middle of the day).

The entire road from the Swiftcurrent lodge to the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn was lined, both sides with cars. There was even an enforcement officer issuing parking tickets to those that choose to drop their vehicle without considering that parking rules still apply.

No matter for us, we were about to embark on a simple, but spectacular adventure in Glacier National Park. One where we would see few other people - certainly for part of the trip, NO ONE ELSE around! This is an adventure that just about anyone with a little motivation, some simple planning, and follow through can accomplish.

As we eased our way down to Swiftcurrent Lake, I could hear a man shouting, continuously, the names of his children. Over and over, "Chad . . . Mark . . !!!" as if they were in the city still, and his kids were lost someplace among the towering skyscrapers.

I replied, "stop yelling," to which he screamed back at me, "mind your own business!!!" I laughed quietly as I watched his kids scamper along the lake shore - in complete sight of their father and visa versa mind you. A minute later I looked up and could see him being scolded by his wife as they stood in the doorway of their 35 foot, 1990's vintage mobile sleeping quarters complete with the bounding kangaroo printed on the side. Classic "vacation" for people from the city who think Glacier is an amusement park. Boy how things have changed over the years . . .

We dropped the Pakboat canoe in the lake, loaded up our provisions and paddled up Swiftcurrent Lake. Grinnell Peak loomed large on the west side of the lake while the Swiftcurrent Lodge rose high above the east shore. Along the way we encountered the boat named, "Chief Two Guns." A spectacular location, one of the most beautiful in all of Glacier National Park.

"Chief Two Guns" makes its way down Swiftcurrent Lake, Mount Grinnell or Grinnell Peak in the background. Glacier National Park, Montana ©tonybynum.com

Our mission was to paddle Swiftcurrent Lake, investigate the stream that connects Lake Josephine to Swiftcurrent and either paddle up the creek, or portage the Pakboat up the trail to Lake Josehpine. Few if any people ever portage a 17 foot boat in Glacier Park, but the Pakboat is made light-enough to do just that, so we did it. The creek was a little to swift to paddle up, so we decided on plan b, the portage.

We put all of our gear in our dry bag backpacks and carried the boat between the two of us, one in front, one in back - it turned out great. The trail is a quarter mile long and ends up at a nice beach on the shore of Lake Josephine. We again dropped the boat in the lake, loaded it with our provisions - some food and beverages, a couple fishing poles and of course cameras - and headed up the lake!

Stacy and I portaging the Pakboat from Swiftcurrent Lake to Josephine Lake, in Glacier National Park, Montana

Stacy leading the way wearing her waterproof backpack. Fishing poles, paddles and life jackets in the Pakboat. This boat is light enough to portage. Glacier National Park, Montana ©tonybynum.com

We paddled a bit following a large boat (Morning Eagle) operated by Glacier Park Boat Company (Follow this link for more information and the history of Glacier Park Boat Company). You can pay for the tour if you like, but we prefer our own canoe . . . Later, about half way up the lake, we were met by a stiff head-wind and decided at that point to turn back and head down the creek that connects Josephine and Swiftcurrent lakes.

Morning Eagle heading up Josephine Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana ©tonybynum.com

Stacy paddling against the wind, up Josephine Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana ©tonybynum.com

The creek has a sheltered entrance just up the west shore from the boat dock. It's sheltered from the wind and very easy to paddle, even beginners could navigate the moderately slow stream. We saw and heard lots of birds, a beaver and at one point we could smell the clean hint of wildflowers.

Stacy paddling down the small creek that connects Swiftcurrent and Josephine Lakes in Glacier National Park, Montana ©tonybynum.com

Tony Bynum casting a fishing pole in Swiftcurrent Lake. No fish were harmed in the making of, or during this trip. I guess I've lost my touch - not even a bit all day long!

A reminder. If you plan to take a boat into Glacier National Park, be sure to read the new rules. Personal watercraft can be self inspected and for motor boats, you'll need to have them inspected by the park service. Here's a link to the details about boating and permits in Glacier National Park.

We had a great trip. It's nice to know that we have such a spectacular place to go. Glacier National Park is part of our public domain. It's managed for the benefit of all. Sure, there are managment issues, but to those who would choose to sell or transfer ownership of this great land legacy to a third party, I say RUBBISH! #keepitpublic #ourwild #nationalparks #glacierpark Please be advised. Taking public lands away from it's owners could be hazardous to your political career!

Tony Bynum on Swiftcurrent Lake using the Werner Paddle to bounce a little light into his face for a photo! Mount Wilbur in the background. ©stacy dolderer

People ask often, what gear I use. Here are few from this trip. Without this gear, my adventures both in Glacier National Park, and abroad would not be possible. This is not a paid advertisement, this is a personal trip I took in Glacier National Park. No payment was rendered during or after the adventure.

Werner Paddles - for this trip we used the Werner Nantahala canoe paddle. Lightweight, strong, and built for river's and flat water paddling.

Pakboats - we used a Pakboat Wilderness 170, the workhorse of their line up. What a boat! I've had this boat on all types of water from class III to lakes and would not trade it for anything . . .

Over Board camera bags - This is the DSLR Pro model. It goes on every single water adventure I do. I've had this bag in waters from Montana to New Zealand and it's works!

Cheers, Tony Bynum

This is not a paid advertisement, these blog posts are my own. While I do often receive gear and occasionally payment from sponsors, this post was not paid. This was our adventure and our's alone!

Glacier National Park - it's really open now!

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Mon, 02 May 2016 20:13:00 +0000

Glacier National Park has "officially" opened. I know the Park Service will tell you, "we are always open," and technically, they'd be correct. What I'm talking about are the Two Medicine, Chief Mountain, and Many Glacier Roads. Those three roads are what allow access into the Park on the east side (Cut Bank Road too).

Saint Mary is the beginning of the Going to the Sun Road, and it's been open to the Rising Sun campground and boat launch for a couple of weeks now. On the west side the road is open to cars until Avalanche Creek. Some hiker biker access is allowed, consult the National Park Service, Glacier National Park for more specific road and access information.

I'm happy to say that not much has changed. Glacier National Park is still, in my opinion, the most remarkable place in the lower 48 states! Maybe that's because I've been a year around resident here for the past dozen years.

Tony Bynum skipping rocks across Two Medicine Lake in Glacier National Park, Montana. The lake was so calm it's reflection looked like a mirror. ©tonybynum All rights reserved. Please contact me for licensing.

Just in case any of you are wondering, I can verify also that the smell of the alpine, the cool breeze blowing off the Two Medicine Lake, the birds chirping, and the often loud crashing of cornices busting off Rising Wolf Mountain are also still happening!

On a recent trip to the "lake" (Two Medicine Lake) as the locals call it, I found Wolverine tracks, Grizzly tracks, Wolf Tracks, Lynx scat. I photographed myself at the lake skipping rocks, a scruffy little snowshoe hare, and a mature male Spruce grouse - my favorite grouse species.

Fresh Wolverine Track in the snow. ©tonybynum

Glacier Park is officially open. Few if any local resources are operating on the east side, but the park is open.

For those that like Mexican food, Serranos in East Glacier opened for business on May 1.

If you're on facebook, I started a "Glacier National Park Art" page a place where people can go to share their own art of the park. . . Please, if you're on Facebook, and you have something to share, by all means, post it!

I'm also looking for partners to work with me on this blog. Photographers, writers, painters media, etc. My idea is to open this platform up to some of my friends. I've had this page for 10 years I think and It's time to show the world more than just my words, and photographs . . . I'd like this to become a community supported page.

If you're interested please send me a short description of who you are, what you do, and why you'd like to partner with me to produce, the "glacier park photographer."

Sincerely,

Tony Bynum

Glacier National Park - Summer 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 14:22:00 +0000

Glacier is, well, Glacier! How can you beat this place? I don't want to sound like a worried farmer, but it is dry this year. We should expect quite a fire year in Glacier Park. Keep your fingers crossed that we don't wind up with a catastrophic fire!

Here's a quick photo I grabbed this morning (June 28, 2015). What a pleasure it is to live and work in such an amazing place. #blessed Tony Bynum

Sinopah Mountain, Two Medicine Valley, Glacier National Park, Montana. ©tonybynum.com

Dead Grizzly in the Paola Creek Area -

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Wed, 27 May 2015 01:39:00 +0000

Information Sought on Dead Grizzly in the Paola Creek Area

Contacts:

John Fraley, 406-751-4564; jfraley@mt.gov

Ryan Moehring, 303-236-0345; ryan_moehring@fws.gov

Grizzly Bear Sow with two cubs. ©tonybynum.com

KALISPELL, Mont. — On May 20, 2015 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) grizzly bear biologists and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Special Agent investigated and retrieved the carcass of an adult female grizzly bear from the Paola Creek area of the Middle Fork of the Flathead Drainage located on the Flathead National Forest in northwest Montana.

The carcass was transported to the FWP lab in Bozeman where examination revealed that the grizzly bear had been shot.

There was evidence of additional bears at the site and a remote camera photographed two yearling grizzly bears that were orphaned due to the death of the adult female. The young bears are about 15 months old and looked to be in good condition. The decision was made to leave the young bears in the wild.

FWP and the Service are asking for anyone with any information on this case to call 1-800-TIP MONT. Callers do not have to identify themselves and a reward of up to $2,000 may be available for information leading to a conviction.

Glacier National Park - Landmark Areas now CLOSED to the public!

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 18:46:00 +0000

A record number of visitors toured Glacier National Park in 2014 (read more about that story here). During the same year that Glacier National Parks set a record for visitation, officials closed the Logan Pass area to off trail travel.

Logan Pass is at the top of the Going to the Sun Road, arguably one of the most impressive and attractive alpine area for visitors in Glacier National Park (at least in August).

After over 100 years of open access, Glacier National Park officials closed several popular areas including, Reynolds Creek, Oberland, and Clements Mountain to off trail travel. The closure applies to everyone but certain park officials, or other people with proper permits, but as far as going anywhere off the Hidden Lake Trail to take photographs, or just walk, forget it.

The large area in light yellow or light green - (I can't tell which I'm partially color blind) - that covers most of the central map area, is the closed portion of Logan Pass. Source: 2014 Glacier National Park Compendium.

The Following is taken directly from the Glacier National Park Compendium.

B) The following areas are closed, as posted, to ALL OFF-TRAIL TRAVEL for the

protection of revegetation projects, existing resident vegetation and seasonal habitat for

congregating bighorn sheep and mountain goats:

1) The Logan Pass area, which consists of all areas within the following exterior

boundaries: Oberlin Peak climber trail, from the trailhead, to Oberlin Peak;

Oberlin Peak to Clements Peak; Clements Peak, along Clements Ridge, to the

first switchback on the Hidden Lake Trail; first switch back on the Hidden Lake

Trail, along the first bench above Hidden Lake, to Reynolds Pass; Reynolds Pass,

along the southern edge of the Hanging Garden area, to the cliff wall above the

Reynolds Creek valley; and bound by the remainder of the cliff wall, above

Reynolds Creek valley, and Going-to-the-Sun Road. Refer to map section at end

of chapter. Exceptions:

i) The following trails are not included in this closure: Logan Pass

Visitor Center walkways, Hidden Lake Trail, Oberlin Peak climber route,

Clements Peak climber route and Reynolds Peak climber route.

ii) Over snow travel is not included in this closure, so long as travel is

NOT conducted over bare ground, rock, or vegetation and all travel is on

contiguous snowpack immediately accessible from established trail

corridors [see 36 CFR 1.5 (a)(1)(iii)(H) for wildlife distance

requirements].

iii) Administrative functions and special use or research permitted

activities are not included in this closure (Glacier National Park 2014 Compendium).

I called Glacier National Park Officials and asked if there was a way to get a permit to photograph the Triple Falls, they said no. In fact, they said no and sounded surprised I would even ask (I think almost every park employee I've ever met or come across dislikes photographers).

Thousands of photographs of Triple Falls, (aka, Twin Falls, Colliding Falls), the meadows of around Rynolds Creek, various other unnamed waterfalls, and wildlife have been used to “show off the park,” and the state of Montana for decades. Who know’s how many lives have been changed and how many forever lasting memories have been made possible around the Logan Pass area and at Triple Falls.

One of the best known, modern day landscape photographers, Galen Rowell (deceased August 2002) first made the Triple Falls image famous when it appeared on the cover of Outdoor Photographer. Although many of us had been there, and photographed it over the years, Galen managed to make it one of Glacier National Parks most iconic photographs.

Triple Falls (Twin Falls) black and white, Glacier National Park. I took this photograph many years ago when the area was open. Notice that shortage of water falling over the rim. In most photographs taken of this location, you'll notice much more water colliding and flowing over the rock faces. The area was historically open when the water was mostly gone in order to protect the delicate nature of the place. I always restrained from following the crowds of people who would go to this location when it was prime for photography, because it was closed. Admittedly, I would have preferred to have a photo of this location that's as good as the thousands of others that have been made of it in the past - I choose to use my judgement. ©tonybynum.com

Interestingly enough, Galen was known to think, and discuss the impacts that nature lovers like himself had on the health of our environment. He was somewhat conflicted by the commercialization of our places due to his own actions, but always did his best to follow the rules, and make the protection of a place his priority. I believe he did think we were capable, as photographers, of overdoing it -- by loving our places to death. Well Galen, if you can hear me now, we've loved Glacier National Park to death. Sorry bud.

Here's a real example of a heart warming story made possible by Triple Falls. Two kids journeyed to Glacier National Park to find this magical place that they'd only seen in pictures. Turns out they were looking for Triple (Twin) Falls - this is their story.

As you watch the video notice how trampled the area already is. I’m not sure of the exact date this video was made, but It looks too early for this area to be open. There’s to much water and the area is much to wet.

In the past it was open only after the soils had dried out and the plants had gone to seed. In some years it would not open at all. So, I suspect these kids either ignored the closer, or did not realize they the area was off limits. Nonetheless, their story is one that will no longer be possible unless others choose to break the law by trespassing.

What's important to note is that to my knowledge, no public impute was ever gathered. People were not asked about this closure and not included in any discussion that I'm aware of as to the potential for closures. Obviously few people likely even recognized that there was a problem, yet the park service decided to close it anyhow. Is there not a solution to this problem that might include the people who own the land, you and I?

The truth is, parts of Glacier National Park are being managed by a standard not even known in the most protected landscapes, our nations wilderness areas. At least in wilderness areas people are allowed. I'm not saying rules are unimportant or that this area of Glacier National Park should not have tighter restrictions, but to make the executive decisions to just close it for good is disturbing.

I'd like to know if this closure matters to you. If it does, please comment or give the Glacier National Park a call (maybe comment on their facebook page too).

Read the rules for yourself if you like. Here's a link to 2014 Glacier National Park Compendium .

Getting Gouged! Glacier Park FEE HIKES ON THE WAY

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 17:26:00 +0000

The National Park Service - Glacier National Park has to go back to the well for more money. In a year of record setting visitation the leadership at one of the best value parks - and arguably the most beautiful in America - decided is time to get more money for YOU, it's visitors (thank you congress for striping park budgets all these years).

Parks need more money. I believe in paying my way but asking for these kind of hikes will result in fewer visitors and more conflict overall. What the park may gain in additional revenue they'll pay for in negative externalities.

Park officials claim they're raising rates to keep up with the other parks - nice one guys! I do think Glacier National Park needs a good, solid budget, but we're talking about raising possibly $500,000 in additional revenue, which is really petty cash and I think will only help them spend more money on mostly frivolous stuff and simply avoid the real, visible issues that it's users want changed - like the road system?

I hope I'm wrong. I hope they rebuild the Many Glacier Road, put new tires on the aging trucks, and keep buying more cool gear, and vehicles.

More visitors will help Glacier National Park spend more money! Photographers photographing a fly-fishing model in two medicine lake during a photography workshop. I was "lucky" enough to encounter them on a trip up two medicine last year.

The fact is, the more rules the parks make, the more man power they need. Over time, they've actually seen a reduction in budgets, yet they keep making more work for themselves . . . Ug. . . typical government bureaucracy. (Details of this are in a forthcoming post).

I'll pay to play because I live here, but the truth is, I dont like the fact that our Nation is skipping out on paying for the management of one of it's true treasures. I suspect Teddy Roosevelt would have figured out a way to take the money from the banksters and put it toward building and maintaining our America Hermitage and legacy. . .

Here's the actual press release asking you for your comments on fee hikes (you'll be amazed, we're not talking about a few bucks, they are proposing to hack you hard)! Or, maybe the tactic was, "go-high," settle for a little less so it looks like we really care about you.

Sorry for the cynicism, but I've earned the right to be cynical . . . I know there are better ways to pay for the management of our national treasures. I also don't like that the NPS can just go get more money from it's visitors when they feel like it.

I'll tell them NO, no increases at all - forget it!

Park Seeks Comments on Proposed Fee Increases

New Boat Launch Fee and Campground Fee Included

WEST GLACIER, MT. –Glacier National Park is requesting public comment on a proposal to increase the park’s entrance fees for the first time in nine years, implement a motorized boat launch fee, and increase the camping fee at the Many Glacier Campground.

The proposal includes increasing the summer vehicle 7-day entrance fee from $25 to $30, with the winter fee changing from $15 to $20. The individual hiker/biker summer 7-day entrance fee would change from $12 to $15, and the winter fee would remain at $10. The 7-day entrance fee for a motorcycle would increase from $12 per person to $25 per motorcycle in the summer and from $10 per person to $15 per motorcycle in the winter. Summer season fees are charged from

May 1-October 31, and winter fees are charged November 1-April 30 of each year.

The annual park pass would change from $35 to $60. This pass allows for unlimited access to the park for one year from first time of use.

The proposed fees are consistent with other larger national parks.

If approved, all changes in entrance fees at Glacier National Park would be implemented in May, 2015. The last time park entrance fees at Glacier National Park were increased was in 2006. Prior to that, the summer vehicle fee was $20 and the annual park pass was $30.

The proposal does not affect other passes with the America the Beautiful- The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program, including the $80 interagency and $10 senior passes, and the free access or military passes.

A new boat launch fee is being proposed that will support managing the boat launch facilities in the park. The fee would be for all motorized boats that access park waters. The proposed fee is $10 for a 7-day permit or $40 for an annual permit. Revenue would help with boater education, monitoring, and improvements to boat launch facilities. If approved, it is anticipated this fee would be implemented in May, 2015. Boat inspections for aquatic invasive species (AIS) would still be required.

The park proposal also includes increasing the camping fee at the Many Glacier Campground from $20 to $23, and utilizing the federal reservation system for approximately half of the camp sites. The remaining sites not included on the reservation system would be first-come first-serve. This fee change would be consistent with the other reservation campgrounds in the park, Fish Creek and St. Mary Campgrounds. If approved, this fee and the reservation system would begin summer of 2016.

Another fee change would be for group campsites in the park. The proposed fee is $65 per group reservation site and $60 for first-come first-serve group sites. The current fee structure is $53 per site for the first nine individuals and $5 for each additional person for a reserved site, and $50 for a first-come first-serve group site. Group camping sites are located at St. Mary, Apgar, Many Glacier and Two Medicine. Some are available by reservation and some are first-come first-serve. If approved the proposed fee change would begin May, 2015.

The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) is the legislation that allows the park to collect entrance and camping fees, and retain 80 percent of the collected revenue. The remaining 20 percent is distributed throughout the National Park System. Basic park operations are funded by direct appropriations from Congress.

It is anticipated that the proposed fee changes could potentially generate approximately an additional $500,000 annually for Glacier National Park, depending on the number and type of entrance passes and camping permits sold. The funds generated by fees would be used for projects that enhance visitor services and facilities, including interpretive programs at campgrounds, the backcountry campsite reservation program, repair and restoration of trails, restoration of wildlife habitat, improvement and replacement of restroom facilities, preservation and maintenance of roads, and shuttle bus operation and maintenance.

Glacier National Park is an economic driver in the state of Montana and surrounding region. A National Park Service report shows that approximately 2.2 million visitors to Glacier National Park in 2013 spent $179 million in communities near the park supporting 2,824 jobs in the local area.

Public feedback on the proposed fee changes should be submitted to the park by December 19, 2014. Comments can be emailed by visiting http://parkplanning.nps.gov/GlacierNationalParkFeeIncrease or written comments may be mailed to Superintendent, Glacier National Park, Attn: Fee Proposal, P.O. Box 128, West Glacier, Montana 59936. Following receipt and analysis of public feedback, a decision will be made on fee changes and timing of implementation. For more information, contact the park at 406-888-7800.

Note- Please see chart for quick overview.

Glacier National Park

Proposed Fee Changes

November 2014

Fee Description	Length Covered	Current Rate	Proposed Rate	Implementation Date
Entrance- Vehicle Summer	7 day	$25	$30	May 2015
Entrance- Individual Summer	7 day	$12	$15	May 2015
Entrance- Motorcycle Summer	7 day	$12 per person	$25 per motorcycle	May 2015
Entrance- Vehicle Winter	7 day	$15	$20	November 2015
Entrance- Individual Winter	7 day	$10	$10	November 2015
Entrance-Motorcycle Winter	7 day	$10 per person	$15 per Motorcycle	November 2015
Glacier Annual Pass	1 year from month of first use	$35	$60	May 2015
Many Glacier Campground	1 night	$20 per site	$23 per site all sites	Summer 2016 50% on reservation system 50% first-come first-serve
Group Campsites Park-wide	1 night	$50 per site first-come first-serve $53 per site with reservations (for first nine individuals, with $5 for each additional person)	$60 per site first-come first serve $65 per site with reservations (flat rate)	May 2015
Boat Launch Fee	7 day	None	$10	May 2015
Boat Launch Fee	1 year from month of purchase	None	$40	May 2015

Sincerely, Tony

Glacier National Park - Sun Road East Access Closes Early this year!

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 16:26:00 +0000

It's fall in Glacier National Park. People always want to know, "when will the Going to the Sun Road close?" Today, we have the official answer. The Sun Road will close, from the east side (Saint Mary) on September 22, 2014, but Logan Pass Visitor center parking lot will remain open, from the West Side (Lake McDonald) into October - weather permitting.

Going to the Sun Road - fresh snow in Glacier Park. The sun road, on Glacier Park's east side, will close September 22, 2014, plan accordingly. ©tonybynum

Here's the latest press release from Glacier National Park . . .

The Road is currently entirely open to public travel. At 7:00 a.m. on September 22, the section between Logan Pass to the foot of St. Mary Lake will close to vehicular travel to accommodate accelerated shoulder season construction. Logan Pass will continue to be open and accessible from the west side (West Glacier). Hiker-biker use east of Logan Pass will be permitted for approximately 2 1/2 miles to Siyeh Bend. Between Siyeh Bend and Rising Sun, travel of any sort is restricted during active construction (M-F).

A 5 mile long sewer forcemain project will simultaneously be occurring between Rising Sun and the St. Mary Campground expanding the active construction to 14 miles and forcing a closure to vehicular travel here as well. Hiker-biker access west of the campground along the Going-to-the-Sun Road will be limited and variable following the progress of the forcemain work.

The shared-use summer season was very active with notable milestones such as a realignment adjacent Wild Goose Island scenic turnout, 9 miles of grading work, improvements to major scenic and trailhead areas and the replacement of the Rose Creek Bridge in Rising Sun. Stone masonry retaining wall and guardwall work, including the new Rose Creek Bridge was noteworthy as well. This effort will continue until the majority of the Road closes to vehicular travel (including Logan Pass) on October 20, 2014, weather permitting.

STAY TUNED for more from the Glacier Park Photographer! We're on tap to bring you glacier park photographers some interesting developments from glacier national park. . . I'll give you a hint, you wont like the news, in fact, what I'm going to describe to you may cause you to pick up the phone or worse throw stuff!

Tony Bynum

Going to the Sun Road is OPEN for the Season 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 14:02:00 +0000

It's official, at least for now, the Going to the Sun Road is open! Access to Logan Pass opened on July 2, 2014. Enjoy the snowy, alpine sights of Logan Pass, but don't go up thinking you'll find the board walk to Hidden Lake or be taking a long stroll down the Hi-line trail - NOPE, it wont happen, too much snow.

It will be awhile before you'll see colorful flowers on Logan Pass, but the drive will make up for it! There's plenty of snow, but not much for green once you arrive at the parking lot on Logan Pass!

Bring your jackets, skis and some lunch and have a fun time.

Tony Bynum
Glacier Park Photographer

Grizzly Bears are out - crown of the continent - you're not the top of the food chain!

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Tue, 13 May 2014 13:34:00 +0000

Grizzly bears are out and scouring the hillsides for food and looking for love . . . Make sure you're packing your bear spray, and more importantly, make sure you are always "bear aware." I always tell people, grizzly bears are where you find them. If you are in the part of the country, and you ask, "where are the grizzly bears," just remember, "grizzly bears are where you find them," which means, grizzly bears are anywhere at anytime!

This boar grizzly bear proceeded to shred this small fir tree. I took this as a clear indication that he was unhappy with my presence - even though I was about 100 yards, maybe more, away. I left the area imidiatly and allowed the bear to proceed on his own. If you see a grizzly bear, be cautious and read their signals. Boar grizzly bears are out searching for sow's this time of year! © Tony Bynum Nikon d300, nikon 500mm f4 vr. 1/250 sec @f5 iso 800.

NEVER let your guard down! Keeping on your toes is one of the reasons going into wild country is so much fun and why it often changes people's lives and perspectives. If you're out in the bush in these parts, you're not at the top of the food chain. That alone should make you think a bit different about the world. . .

Cheers, and be safe out there!

Montana Based Photographer, Tony Bynum

Deep Snow still in the Two Medicine Camp Ground - Glacier National Park

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Thu, 08 May 2014 14:45:00 +0000

The Two Medicine Road in Glacier National Park, is open all the way to the Two Medicine Lake. However, the snow is still deep, up to 25 or more feet deep in the deepest drifts! There a small area to park - right next to the lake and the boat ramp, but don't plan on camping in the Two Medicine Campground any time soon. The snow is still so deep, I doubt we'll be seeing soil in the campground anytime soon!

Sinopah Mountain in Glacier National Park, is at the west end of Two Medicine Lake. Two Medicine Lake is at the end of the Two Medicine Road from East Glacier Park, Montana. The snow still is very deep along either side of the road leading to the Two Medicine Lake. The Two Medicine Lake is still completely frozen. © Tony Bynum

In this photograph you'll see a deep, narrow trench cut by the Park Service to help open the road. At the bottom of this 30 foot deep trench, the road is wide enough to drive a car down! Right now there's no driving on this area of the Two Medicine camp ground, but the area does offer some fun snow shoeing or bike riding!

Be careful not to slip off and fall into one of these man made crevasse's, you'd be hurt for sure!

The Many Glacier Road too is open, and things in East Glacier Park are starting to buzz! In fact a local favorite restaurant Serrano's just opened, and a the new Rock-n-Roll Bakery is now open for the season. Brownies opens Friday, May 9, 2014, just in time for Mother's day.

Have a great spring!

Glacier Park Photographer!

Spring in Glacier National Park - grizzly bears, going to the sun road, two medicine, wild goose island

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Thu, 01 May 2014 16:16:00 +0000

While most grizzly bears are still hibernating along the rocky mountain front, as this recent news article reports, spring is nonetheless progressing.

A grizzly bear sow with two cubs emerge from their winter slumber. Nikon D300, Nikon 500mm f4, VR TC 1.4. This is about a 20% crop, the bears were rather far away and there was no harm done either to the bears or to myself. I grabbed a few photographs and moved on. © Tony Bynum Photography

The Two Medicine Road recently opened from the Glacier Park boundary to Running Eagle Falls.

The rest of the road remains open to hiker biker access only. The pavement is clear of snow and ice, so it's an easy ride into see two medicine lake if your up for it. On my recent trip I captured this image of Sinopah Mountain reflecting in Two Medicine Lake. It was a stunning spring day, probably the nicest day of the year here in Glacier National Park!

Sinopah Mountain, and Rising wolf (frame right) reflecting in Two Medicine Lake, Glacier Nation Park. Nikon d4, nikon 24-120, f16 hand held. © Tony Bynum Photography

The days are getting longer, it's light till almost 9 PM! There are new faces showing up in town to ready the Village, the lodge, and the Park for tourist season. Things are waking up! Make sure if you are planing to a trip to Glacier Nation Park, to bring your bear spray, a first aid kit, a water bottle, a gps and maps, a notebook, and camera! If you are traveling by air, forget the bear spray you'll have to buy a can once you land, don't worry, they are available everywhere for about $40 bucks. When you leave, drop the can off at one of the park gates, or in one of the local shops, and ask them to share it with someone who needs it!

As a side note, I'm told by sources within the Park that the Going to the Sun Road from the mile and a half gate at Saint Mary will open sometime after June 20th this year! That's rather amazing. This mean there's no quick access to the location from which to photograph Wild Goose Island, until after June 20th.

Wild Goose Island, Glacier National Park. The wild goose island image is one of, if not the most photographed location in Montana, and certainly within glacier national park. You can hardly go by this location without seeing a horde of people standing there pointing their cameras at it. Just bare in mine that this is about 10 miles past the gate and wont be accessible until June 20th or so 2014. Sorry, if you have a complaint, shoot it up the chain to the Park officials. Nikon d700, nikon 24-70 2.8. Tripod, f16, 1.3 seconds, pre sunrise. © Tony Bynum Photography

So, in essence, if you're planning a trip to the east side of Glacier National Park, before June 20th, make sure you know that you wont be driving any farther than Saint Mary. The entire area of Two Dog flats, and Rising Sun are closed. The small camp ground at Saint Mary is open however.

Balsam springs to life in massive fields along Glacier National Park's east side. Two Dog Flats, Red Eagle Mountain, Glacier Nation Park, Montana. Nikon d3, nikon 17-35 f2.8 handheld, f16. © Tony Bynum Photography

Here's to a wonderful spring in Glacier National Park!

Montana Based Photographer, Tony Bynum

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Bakken Oil Trains - Glacier National Park update . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 17:12:00 +0000

Now even the industry says the oil tankers are not safe for Bakken Oil . . . What's it going to take? Is it going to take leveling East Glacier Park, or some other residential area before the system catches up with the oil boom? What gives people?

"None of the tank cars currently in service carrying Bakken crude oil is adequate for carrying that product, a rail industry representative testified Tuesday, but until new federal regulations are completed, the use of inadequate cars will continue."

Read the entire story here in the, Olympian,

http://www.theolympian.com/2014/04/22/3098058/tank-car-fleet-inadequate-for.html

Tony Bynum
www.tonybynum.com

Are Oil Trains Disrupting Passenger Train Reliability? - Amtrak's Empire Builder changing schedule.

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 20:31:00 +0000

It's no secret that the great American train icon Amtrak, is struggling a bit. In recent months the most widely used coast-to-coats human hauling rail service has been challenged to be more on time. In fact, some of it's stops last year were never on time and now Amtrak aims to try to make some improvements by changing the schedule of the Empire Builder. (Link to the new Empire Builder Schedule).

Amtrak's train, the Empire Builder reflecting in a small prairie pond east of East Glacier Park, Montana on it's way to Chicago. ©tonybynum.com www.tonybynum.com

Amtrak, faced with the reality that it does not own the rail line, runs it's day to day operation of the Empire Builder based on Burlington Northern's freight schedule. Over the past few years the space between one train and the next has narrowed and Amtrak must face the reality that it must share the rails with more freight. To that end, Amtrak has set a new schedule for the Empire Builder.

The Empire Builder train clips eastward, on it's way to Chicago across the prairie of Montana. Purple lupine sprout from the grasses and Glacier National Park is on the background. ©tonybynum.com www.tonybynum.com

While some say Amtrak changed is schedule based on the increased number of oil trains from the Bakken, official I spoke with at Amtrak said, "we have never commented on the type of fright, only the volume of traffic on the line."

Burlington Northern Santa Fa engines pulling a load of oil cars. Glacier National Park is in the background. ©tonybynum.com www.tonybynum.com

The Flathead Beacon mentions the increase in oil trains as one of the cause of the trains constant tardiness. Get the full story here. The Helena Independent Record also reported, "Officials said it was the increase in oil trains" that was at least part of the reason for the changes in the Empire Builder schedule. Get that story here.

Amtrak's announcement that it will, for the first time in many years, temporarily change it's Empire Builder schedule in order to better maintain on-time service, can be found here, the Full Amtrak press release.

Mark Magliari, Media Relations for Amtrak said, in a personal phone conversation with me, "we have been working with BNSF, the owner of the rail-line to create a more dependable, on-time service to Amtrak customers." Magliari stated, "the single most important aspect is service; schedule and on time arrivals are number one to our customers."

A long line of oil train cars heading toward Glacier National Park, across the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. ©tonybynum.com www.tonybynum.com

I asked Mr Magliari if Amtrak has additional concerns for passenger safety in light of the increase in freight, most notably more oil trains, coupled with numerous local derailments, avalanches, and other oil train explosions over the past several years.

Mr. Magliari remarked, and I'm paraphrasing, "they [Amtrak] have not commented on the type of freight, Amtrak changed the Empire Builder schedule to better serve the needs of it passengers" (phone conversation, April 1, 2014).

Mr. Magliari can be reached at: 312-554-5390

A Burlington Northern oil train sprints down the track on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in north central, Montana. ©tonybynum.com www.tonybynum.com

For me, this begs the question, is Amtrak really thinking about increased risk based on all the evidence, or is it just trying to keep it's "stock" from falling though the floor?

Today, unlike the Empire Builder of the past, if you're on the train today, you're riding along side of, and going past at 80 mph, thousands of potential "bombs." If that does not have some increased risk, I'd be surprised.

I'm purely speculating here, but I'm pretty sure Amtrak and BNSF will still say taking the train is still more safe than driving. I'd say, possibly, but then again there's no record to justify that claim, just yet. . . I don't recall a time when mile long trains full of explosive oil were skipping along the tracks so often that Amtrak had to change it's scheduling . . . I'm not saying Amtrak changed it's schedule due to oil trains along, i'm saying that the fact that there are more oil trains should cause them to think more carefully about safety.

As a local, year around resident of East Glacier Park, I live just two blocks from the BNSF rail line, the exact one that supports the more explosive loads of crude from the Bakken (as this story reviled). I've also noticed the wildly fluctuating arrival and departure of the Empire Builder over that last year or so.

The increase in demand for rail space, coupled with the heavy snow's and continued operation and maintenance of the BNSF rail line though the south end of glacier park most certainly means increased risk for accidents, no matter how safe they are, it's just the law of numbers. So it stands to reason that there is therefore an increase risk to passengers and freight when there's more of it - right? And how about the volatility of Bakken Oil? In a more recent report, that too is getting closer scrutiny.

A train crossing the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and weighted down with Bakken oil, heads toward Glacier National Park. ©tonybynum.com

I thought Obama was going to help develop a comprehensive energy policy? Is this his solution? Just let the market decide? I'm a "free market" guy, I'm a business owner, but I'm also sensible. It appears we may be headed down the rails to a disaster if our policy is to ignore the potential for a catastrophe, in light of the evidence . .

Tell me what you think, am I over reacting? Should I just sit back and say nothing? Is the Empire Really as safe as ever?

Sincerely, Tony Bynum - Glacier Park Photographer

East Glacier Park in the Winter - Photographs and Slideshow

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 18:38:00 +0000

How would you like to see real life in East Glacier Park, Montana during the Winter? Here is a blog post with photographs of East Glacier Park in the Winter. If you know someone that would enjoy seeing these photographs and slideshow of East Glacier Park, Montana in the Winter, please share it with your friends!

Stay warm out there!

Tony Bynum

Bakken Oil Train - a ticking time bomb for East Glacier Park School Children?

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Bynum) — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 15:51:00 +0000

I'd like to draw your attention back to the Bakken Oil Train issue. Elizabeth Royte, a writer for OnEarth Magazine managed to find the time to draw attention to the issue of "Bakken Oil Trains," and the communities around Glacier National Park. By "Bakken Oil Trains," I'm talking about the Burlington Northern line and the oil swollen tanker cars full of the very volatile Bakken Oil that pass just a few thousand feet from my house every day. . .

Elizabeth's does a great job researching the subject and pulling together relevant issues, like the lack of fire protection, and the presence (or better, the lack there of) of a complete emergency response plan that includes the fire department in East Glacier Park and the National Park Service in any real way. Here's a link to her article, "An Accident Waiting to Happen."

I would like to point to a couple of things that are missing from her piece. First, East Glacier Park school (K-8) is only feet away from the train line. The photograph below show you just how close the Bakken Oil Train passes the East Glacier Park School.

For those that have not been here, the location of that train in the photograph, is the exact place where only a few years ago, Burlington Northern dumped a pile of train cars into Midvale Creek - yes, in that exact location!

Children in East Glacier Park School, wait for the doors to open as a mile long "Bakken Oil Train" passes only feet from the school. This is the exact location where Burlington Norther lost 25 rail cars into Midvale Creek about 10 years ago. ©tony bynum

Second, the risk of catastrophic fire that if started would likely take out Glacier Nation Park. Surly based on the general wind patterns which can gust to over 100 mph and often do, a crash, or accident, derailment, whatever you want to call it, between east glacier park, and west glacier park, could literally start the catastrophic fire that would sweep north east, burning the park from one side to the other.

The real issue is how much work is BNSF doing to reduce the risk, and is it enough to avoid a catastrophic failure? Mother earth is often in control in these parts. I know even if BNSF does it's best - whatever that is - mother nature still rules this land of ice, snow, wind, and beauty . . .

Please take a look at Elizabeth's piece, "An Accident Waiting to Happen." Let us know what you think or if you have any good ideas about how to reduce the risk of a catastrophe.

Sincerely, Tony Bynum