This was my first year taking part in the Scotts Valley High School Art Show as an art student. I had three pieces in the show, my cigarette made out of matches and Marlboro Light packs, and the two pieces from my pencil shavings series. The whole week before hand I was just a nervous wreak and I am glad it is over. During it’s course I remembered why I do art or anything creative that I share with the public. ...

Gabe joined the wrestling team along with Doug and a few of his friends this year. He had a lot of fun with practice, but the meets were a bit too stressful for him. I’m glad I got to see one of his meets before wrestling became a thing of the past. Maybe one day he’ll be back, as he’s got some natural ability.

Sneak peek of lots more photos of coyotes coming up, because I didn’t get any great wolf photos I am making it up with great coyote shots. I know what people think, Oh great coyotes, the lesser more whinny wolf. Yes admit, I too have spent many hours yelling at the coyote out my window to shut up as you all know. This trip however changed that thinking. I always thought coyotes as pests but in Yellowstone they were still just such majestic beasts. They like everyone else there would have to fight for their life and had earned their living out there in Lamar Valley. Yellowstone definitely gave me a whole new light on coyotes. ...

I had never seen a river otter before I went to Yellowstone, and let me say THEY ARE ADORABLE We heard that at the confluence of the Lamar River and the Soda Butte River in Lamar Valley, Yellowstone there were some otter lodges. So we all hiked out of the car dragging our giant cameras and all the equipment out of the car and then walked a half mile to the second otter lodge along the river. We set up the tripods and waited for quite some time when we finally spotted one otter. He was bobbing in and out of the water regularly teasing us with his appearance as we tried to catch a good picture of him. We were about to head back in when Mark turned around and saw the three otters playing. ...

Here is the site I got to see everyday when I was in Yellowstone. This picture can’t truly describe how beautiful this place really is. I must say it is extremely different than Santa Cruz and this is one of the hardest parts of being back home. I keep looking outside expecting to see snow and gorgeous mountains but instead I see rain and lots of trees. I am not complaining, it is just such a shock because it is so entirely different. It really reminds me just how lucky I am to get to travel like this because I can experience all the different terrains and lifestyles of the world around me. That is why I believe it is essential to travel because people have to get out of their normal atmosphere and see the world in all of it’s different lights.

As you know I have been in Yellowstone for the past week without time or internet access to post so sorry for the lack of posts. I will be catching up and posting photos from my trip over time. Stay tuned, more photos on the way.

It’s our last day in Yellowstone as we head into the park once again. The antelope finally make an appearance at the entrance, as well as a hungry raven that keeps us company while we eat our lunch. We head to Lamar Valley again to visit with the river otters. This guy shows off a fish he just caught. We’ve got a little company while we photograph the otters. I know Monica is enjoying herself immensely. ...

Yesterday was a big coyote day, and today is going to be all about river otters. Before we meet the otters, a few random shots from the hotel and wandering about in the park. We heard the otters might be down towards Pebble Creek, and we spotted some ducks and a group of otters. They were too far for photos most of the time, but we’ll head back to Lamar Valley and their lodge to catch some good shots. ...

We had a great day in the park yesterday, but Yellowstone has another great day lined up for us again. We passed a nice group of bull elk on our drive into the park. Today we’ll be snowshoeing in another area I really love by the confluence of the Lamar and Yellowstone rivers. Mark and Monica found a nice elk carcass that didn’t mind posing for some photos. ...

We enjoyed yesterday in Yellowstone, but only had part of the day and didn’t explore the whole park. Today we’ll head all the way through Lamar Valley and the north eastern entrance. The road from Gardiner out to Cooke City is the only road open to cars, so we make the most of the beautiful drive. I thought I would throw some photos of the cars totally loaded with camera gear, food, and clothes that we’ll be using on our trip. Mark’s in the Outback and we’re in the Tahoe. ...