The Yellowstone Experience

What a fantastic place to visit and what a great choice by the PSA to have West Yellowstone as their conference base!.

The photographic opportunities were boundless in the national park, each day bringing a variety of spectacular sights with the possibility of getting a winning image. The only downside of course being the large number of photographers with the same aim and some powerful lenses! We felt we ticked all the boxes, seeing Bison with young in plentiful supply in the fields and crossing the roads,lots of white tailed deer and Pronghorns, Wolves across the river from where we were, Coyote, Moose, Elks, and finally, for me, the icing on the proverbial cake, a black bear and cub in the bushes feedinf off the berries. A group of photographers at the side of the road alerted us to the bald headed eagle high up in a tree with a young one nearby. A daily dose of excitement and all this alongside some dramatic and varying landscapes.

As we travelled in Montana and into Wyoming with a brief glimpse of Idaho, we delighted in the snow capped mountains, gorges, geysers, and rivers, the forests and also the wide open spaces. John W. also seemed particularly atteracted to the delights of silicone valley. You must ask him about it! (picture available if needed)

The wild west became alive again as we photographed an old trail town complete with furnished cabins, boardwalks and cartwheels. We read of some of the shootings and shennanigans there, murders and gunfights very often with some involvement of the fairer sex!!

Buffalo Bill, canyons, creeks, Calamity Jane, hunting and shooting all became real.Can you remember Davey Crockett hats? Davey, famous for shooting large numbers of bears, strict control is the order of the day now. Hunting remains commonplace and horse back riders stalk these beautiful animals to fill their freezers and decorate their walls. Taxidermy seems to be the job to be in!

Permits are now issued to endeavour to control the numbers involved. And the conference.......I'm afraid to some degree the conference lost out to the photographic opportunities available. The sessions attended were well presented and worth attending (including one by our own TP) and again lovely to meet up with old acquaintances and to hand deliver some very special M&S foam bath to Joanne. West group were well represented at the exhibition with many of our group having pictures on display. Particular congratulations to David Stephenson and Bob Hodgson for the awards they attained in the PSA International.

PPSA Distinctions were presented to: Kate Willmer, Graeme Webb, and John Williams. Tony received the ones due to Pax Garabedian, Les Ayres, and Bas Montgomery on their behalf. Very well done you six.

So what next?

Information is gradually coming through from the PSA about some changes to the criteria required to gain stars and distinctions for PPSA and EPSA. The changes are planned to standardise the numbers of acceptances needed when aiming for stars, and 2 new distinctions are being introduced. These ar e to be termed Master, and Grand Master. The recommendation is for folks to apply as soon as possible for any stars outstanding. Tony will keep us informed and all should be explained in a future journal.

Finally, welcome to Cheryl as our latest new member. Look forward to seeing you in the group and to seeing some of your pictures.