Posts From our Facebook business page
The Tanzania Ten, 2026 as we enjoyed our first dinner together at Lake Duluti Lodge! The long journey over is behind us, and we’re feeling good.
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OH HAPPY DAY!When Doug and I first visited Africa in 2019, we knew we would be back, but we could have never imagined that we'd return to that amazing continent twelve times, visiting seven different countries along the way. We loved every trip, but Tanzania captured our hearts like no other location. Tomorrow we leave for our ninth trip to Tanzania, a place that has become very precious to us over the last few years. This trip is especially exciting as we are joined by our children and their spouses. A DREAM COME TRUE!You're invited to come along through Facebook once again by following this page over the next couple of weeks. We're really getting close to our most recent goal of 1700 followers, so if others decide to join in for this adventure, maybe we'll get there soon.SHARES ARE WELCOMED AND GREATLY APPRECIATED!
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Have I ever mentioned how fabulous the birds are in Tanzania? STILL AVAILABLE DUE TO UNEXPECTED CANCELLATION---Spots for one couple or two singles on our EXCLUSIVE, FIRST CLASS September 2026 safari. Departing US September 17-18 and returning home on October 1st. LIMITED TO ONLY EIGHT GUESTS WITH FOUR PER VEHICLE, so there'll be plenty of room. This is a great situation for photographers who carry quite a bit of camera equipment and need space to move around and capture the best images. This trip is specifically scheduled to have an opportunity to see the GREAT MIGRATION and THE MARA RIVER CROSSING. We can only hold this open for another few days, so time is running out if you have any interest in jumping in on this very special safari. Let us know ASAP if you'd like to find out more. A real bargain for $7385 plus flights!
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PLEASE DON'T JUST SCROLL BY WITHOUT READING!Now only ten days from departure and still hoping to add to our ongoing tally of donations to Unity School in Arusha, Tanzania. WITH YOUR HELP, WE HAVE COLLECTED A TOTAL OF ALMOST $34,000! (since February 2024) Much has been done, but there are still many, many goals we hope to accomplish.As a direct result of your giving, enrollment has increased, hungry children are being fed, classrooms are being renovated, and test scores continue to rise. WAYS YOU CAN HELP:-Sponsor a child’s tuition: $330 provides one full school year- Provide a desk and chair: about $65 gives a child a proper place to learn- Support uniforms: One of our guests noticed that many of the children needed basic clothing support. Your $40 give provides a uniform for a child. Our goal is to purchase 130 uniforms.- Give to the daily meal program: helping feed children and staff every school day- Support classroom and facility improvements: washrooms, repairs, painting, supplies, and infrastructure- Help with sports and play equipment: because children need joy, movement, and play too- Give to the general fund: allowing us to respond where the need is greatest- And yes — if you happen to have deep pockets, Unity School needs a bus! Transportation is one of the major needs that would make a huge difference for the school and its students.But your donation need not be large - even a few dollars will help. It is now very easy to support the school using PayPal, Venmo or Zelle via our Website. To learn more, please visit:mpjprojects.orgThank you for loving these children with us. We cannot solve every problem, but together we can make school safer, healthier, and more hopeful for these children — one meal, one desk, one uniform, and one sponsored student at a time.Doug and I can hardly wait to get there and learn the latest good news! We are so honored and thankful to be a part of what God is doing at Unity School.
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Our website informed us that the description of our excursion to the beautiful Capitol Reef National Park was our 200th Blog/Journal entry! I've enjoyed writing these.
Day Trip to Capitol Reef - This Photo Journey
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It was the last day of our southwestern US photoshoot, and the visit to Capitol Reef National Park checked off the last of Utah’s “Big Five” national parks. I confess that until I went to AAA ...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
JUST OPENED UP...AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS COMING SEPTEMBER!Our migration safari trip for September 20-30 for this year now has 2 openings. This safari is an EXCLUSIVE JOURNEY and is limited to eight people. (four per vehicle) Unfortunately, due to an unexpected health crisis, one of our couples has had to drop out. Please note, however, if you are a solo traveler and interested, we’d love to have you. This opportunity is NOT LIMITED to couples. Instinct Tours has reserved first class accommodations, and everything is already in place for two more guests to step in and take advantage of this opportunity. If you are interested, PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY. Cost is $7385 (per person, all inclusive) plus flights. We'd love to call and discuss the details of this high-end, exclusive tour with you!
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It's time to for us to refocus and change directions!In just over two weeks, we leave once again for one of our favorite places on earth...TANZANIA. Doug and I will be escorting a group of eight guests on what is sure to be a life-changing experience, and we can hardly wait.VERY SOON we will have to close the registration period for our Instinct Tours Tanzania Safaris 2027. If you are ready to check this one off your bucket list and fulfill a lifelong dream, next year could be your year. We currently have tours scheduled for February, June, and August and would love to have you join us. CONTACT US NOW FOR DETAILS.(SHARES GREATLY APPRECIATED!)
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Enjoy 20% off all wall art, matted prints, and card collections beginning today and going through Monday. Come by our gallery in Cleveland at Grit & Grace Market to see some brand new work in addition to some of our most popular sellers.If you do not live near us and would like to take advantage of this sale, we will honor the 20% discounted price over this weekend. All of our pieces can be shipped right to your door and come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
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I'm well aware that everyone has likely reached the scenery overload point by now, so happily this is the last post from the southwest adventure! Today's images are from Capitol Reef National Park, which ended up being our favorite, edging out Arches by just a little bit. Fantastic views in every direction with colors, textures, and layers galore. I'm not sure we have ever had a trip where I have taken this many landscape images. Wildlife was scarce, so although I hauled my long lens out there, opportunities to use it never happened. If you haven't explored this region of our country yet, we highly recommend it. In addition to great scenery, the people were very friendly, and food was excellent.If you are a southwest fan and have seen an image that you particularly like, we'd love to do a custom order to your specifications. The landscapes would be superb on either metal or canvas. Enjoy 20% off our normal pricing if you place your order by June 10th! We have a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our work and are happy to ship your image anywhere in the US.ONE MORE THING. As much as I hate to ask, our business could still use many more followers to even make a tiny dent in the competitive social media market for fine art photography. We encourage you to invite others to follow our page and to share our posts often. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!#fineartphotography #capitolreefnationalpark #knoxvillephotographer #naturephotography #Grit & Grace Market#marcysphotojourney
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Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park, UtahHot, dry, barren, rocky, and rough, but with a unique beauty all its own. Canyonlands is a HUGE park with four distinct sections. We were only able to cover one of the four because our vehicle was not sufficient for off-road driving. Even though we were out west for two weeks, there wasn't enough time to experience everything! Next time...
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UNITY SCHOOL NEWS - In two weeks, Marcy and I return to Tanzania for the 9th time — and this time we get to share the journey with our children and their spouses!Over the years, our dear friend Arnold Makinda of Instinct Tours Tanzania Safaris, along with his family, has truly become part of our family. And through that friendship, our family has grown even larger — to include the children, teachers, and staff of Unity School in Arusha, Tanzania.Many of you know the story. Years ago, we simply asked Arnold if there was a school we could visit while we were in Tanzania. He took us to Unity School, and we immediately fell in love with the children, the teachers, and the heart of the place.What began as a few modest donations has now grown into MPJ Tanzania Projects, a proper 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity — made possible because so many of you have cared, encouraged, donated, and believed in this work.Because of your help and the generosity of several key donors, we have been able to help provide:- A nutritious daily meal for the children and staff- Completely rebuilt washrooms and connections to the municipal sanitation system- A new kitchen- Classroom improvements, including electricity and lights- A refreshed teachers’ area- Cleaner, safer grounds- Filtered drinking water- Desks, chairs, school supplies, and learning materials- Tuition sponsorships for children who need help staying in school- A significant seed fund to begin providing school uniformsAnd the needs continue.As we prepare to return, we would love to invite you to be part of this next chapter. Even a modest gift can make a very real difference.Ways you can help:Sponsor a child’s tuition: $330 provides one full school year- Provide a desk and chair: about $65 gives a child a proper place to learn- Support uniforms: One of our guests noticed that many of the children needed basic clothing support. Your $40 give provides a uniform for a child. Our goal is to purchase 130 uniforms.- Give to the daily meal program: helping feed children and staff every school day- Support classroom and facility improvements: washrooms, repairs, painting, supplies, and infrastructure- Help with sports and play equipment: because children need joy, movement, and play too- Give to the general fund: allowing us to respond where the need is greatest- And yes — if you happen to have deep pockets, Unity School needs a bus! Transportation is one of the major needs that would make a huge difference for the school and its students.But your donation need not be large - even a few dollars will help. It is now very easy to support the school using PayPal, Venmo or Zelle via our Website. To learn more, please visit:mpjprojects.orgThank you for loving these children with us. We will be carrying your kindness with us when we return to Tanzania.We cannot solve every problem, but together we can make school safer, healthier, and more hopeful for these children — one meal, one desk, one uniform, and one sponsored student at a time.
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BRYCE CANYON IS BEAUTIFUL, BUT...After enjoying all five of Utah's national parks, it would be my least favorite. We had a wonderful day there, weather was perfect, no huge crowds, and scenery was fabulous. Certainly had no regrets about visiting, but for me the photography just wasn't as much fun or quite as exciting as the other four parks. Broad sweeping views of the hoodoos in the expansive canyon were dramatic and striking, but there wasn't a lot of variety. It was also a disadvantage to be there in the middle of the day, so light was not great, although we were very lucky to have a gorgeous sky that really helped.Just before the entrance to Bryce, you go through Red Canyon, and the first few pictures were taken there. The cliffs were a very deep red/orange and looked beautiful with the contrasting green of the trees. In fulfilling a recent custom order for a local dental office, I've had occasion to look at a lot of metal options at various suppliers. I found it interesting that Bryce Canyon is a big favorite for these companies to display their glossy metals. If you're a Bryce fan and could use a metal print, I have plenty of options!The last picture of the day is actually my favorite because I felt lucky to be at the right place at the right time to see the canyon horse ride way down below our viewpoint. I'm including a black and white of that one as well as a throwback to old westerns!
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AN INCREDIBLE EVENING IN ARCHES NATIONAL PARK!When you hear a photographer say that it's all about the light, believe it! While in Moab, we visited Arches three times, and each time we enjoyed taking pictures. The last time, though, something magical happened as the sky darkened, and the light shone on the rock formations just before sunset. It just kept getting better and better. There were the golds, then the oranges, and finally the deep reds. We couldn't get around the park fast enough as the light kept changing, and we wanted to capture everything we could. I tried to arrange these in order, so that you could see the progression, but sometimes Facebook has a mind of its own, so they're not exactly right...but you get the idea! A big bonus occurred when a totally unexpected rainbow appeared for about 20 seconds or so, catching us by surprise. I managed to get just a couple of shots of that before it disappeared.
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A 190-mile trip, worms, the prophet Jeremiah and amazing scenery. Read our latest journal/blog post to find out what is up.
A 190-mile Vermilion Cliffs Loop - This Photo Journey
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This would be quite a road trip, but our sources said that visiting the Vermilion Cliffs would be worth it. Before we begin a description of our journey, though, I beg your indulgence to poke around t...1 CommentsComment on Facebook
We finished up Utah’s “Big Five” today with Capitol Reef National Park. What an incredible surprise!! It might just be my favorite. The other four seem to get more attention, and I had never heard much about Capitol Reef. We both loved it. Leaving Moab in the morning for Salt Lake City. The southwest US is amazing in many ways. So much so that we’re already planning to come back before long.
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We are continuing on the path to resurrecting our blog/Journal - Today, we reflect on the practice of proper touristing.
Alone Together at a Famous Landscape - This Photo Journey
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Just musing here, but this blog post is meant to be a gentle affirmation favoring proper touristing. So far on this trip, it’s been nice people all the way down. Maybe it is that the high season o...1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Greetings from Moab, Utah! We have visited Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks over the past few days. Of course we have taken thousands of pictures, but the internet in our present location is not cooperating! I will catch up with images from several locations eventually, but it may be when I return home. We are staying here in Moab until we drive to Salt Lake City and fly home on Tuesday. It has been a wonderful visit to this beautiful part of our country. Stay tuned...
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The Vermillion Cliffs scenic drive is yet another spectacular geologic wonder. So many different formations, colors, textures, and indescribably stunning settings on this route!
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Doug has been busy rebuilding his blog structure. We start with a visit to one of the most iconic scenes of the American West. Click to read the back story.
The Most Crowded Empty Road in the West - This Photo Journey
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“I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll go home now.” – Forrest Gump, upon arriving in Monument Valley. In my mind, this is the most iconic scene of the American West. From a high viewpoint, the pav...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
MOVING ON...On our last night in Arizona we took a sunset dinner cruise on Lake Powell that gave us a little different perspective with photos taken from the water level. The incredible light of sunset really made the cliffs and rock formations come alive. We have enjoyed this past week here in Arizona, but now it's on to Utah!
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Although we had visited the Grand Canyon a couple of other times, I was never happy with my photos from there and had convinced myself that it was because I hadn't had enough experience. So this time I had very high hopes that I'd come away with some great images. No so much!We were there in the light of early morning on a perfect day, but I feel like once again the canyon defeated me. For whatever reason, I cannot seem to capture the true beauty of this famous landmark. Here's a few from our morning in Grand Canyon National Park.
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We had great weather for our excursion to Monument Valley. I had always assumed that it was a national park, but it is a Navajo Tribal Park! Just before our arrival, we stopped to photograph a couple of horses along the road. It could have been perfect, had the horses any measure of cooperation in them, but they did not. We had beautiful purple wildflowers, great backgrounds of stone monuments, a fantastic sky, and horses who were so intent on grazing that they refused to raise their heads and look at us...not even once. So we gave it a good effort and moved on.The 17 mile drive through the valley was gorgeous, and we stopped often to take photos and just be outside enjoying the lovely day. Here are a few of my favorites.
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DIFFERENT WORLDS...After spending two days in luscious Cades Cove with friends, Doug and I hurried back home to finish up travel preparations and ready ourselves for a 5:15 airport arrival the next day. Up at 3:30, we just kept it foremost in our minds that we could rest on the plane. We boarded our flight for Phoenix and couldn't muster a whole lot of excitement because we were so tired.After landing in Phoenix where it was a beautiful 68 degrees and sunny, we had a four hour drive to our first four-night destination, Page. As we were nearing Flagstaff, the temp dropped 30 degrees, and we found ourselves in rain mixed with snow conditions. While stopped to get some gas, we dug into our suitcases and got out our warmest coats. Weather changed a couple more times before we finally reached our rental home near Lake Powell. What were we getting ourselves into?The images posted today were all taken on the drive from Phoenix to Page while rolling down the highway. I love to see what I can capture through my lens from the windshield and the passenger window. Certainly nothing like spring in the Smokies, but a striking kind of beauty none the less! We will be in Arizona and Utah over the next two weeks doing a little exploring and visiting several national parks. Hoping you'll come along, and invite a friend to follow our page and come with you, as we share aspects of this journey. Tomorrow I'll be posting pictures of our trip to Monument Valley.
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One of the best things about the Instinct Tours safari trips that we love so much is the lasting cameraderie with our fellow travelers. Last Sunday and Monday, Doug and I spent two days in the Smokies with friends from our September, 2025 safari group. Thank you, Mary and Alan (from Illinois) and Dawn and Pete (Morristown, TN), for a great time. From our Log Cabin Pancake House breakfast on the first day to saying goodbye at the ice-cream store in The Cove at the end of day two, we enjoyed a lot of reminiscing and laughing together. We also saw a record of 31 bears in one day!
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Another gallery delivery of four new images yesterday at Grit & Grace Market! Click on each picture to view full screen and see accompanying commentary. There are some fantastic new choices available for your home or office. Make time to check them out on this beautiful Spring day.#Grit & Grace Market #marcysphotojourney #wormsloehistoricsite #charlestonsc #jonesboroughtennessee #americana #angeloak
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We now have four options of our Lee University collages available for order. Requests are starting to come in, and we'll be contacting our canvas supplier later this week, so that collages can be received, framed, and ready for you in about 3-4 weeks.They come in two sizes, 22 X 22 ($275) and 38 X 38 ($425), including frames. For best viewing, click to see image full screen. Which one includes your Lee student's favorite spots on campus?
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New to our business page? Scroll back for loads of pictures from our latest African adventures and other travels over the last few years. Also, for more photography and opportunities to purchase my work, check out the website at marcysphotography.com. WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU AS A FOLLOWER OF THIS FACEBOOK BUSINESS PAGE!
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Seven weeks from this coming Wednesday, we will be leaving for our 9th trip to Tanzania. This will be a very special trip for us as we are joined by our children, Jared & Stacey and Rachel & Michael! I'm already thinking about (and dreaming of) some wonderful big cat sightings once again. Meanwhile, time is ticking away to sign up for one of our 2027 adventures. If you have ever had the desire to enjoy an African safari, we offer a truly fabulous two-week experience. Doug and I will be escorting travelers in February, June, and September next year and would love to have you join us.If you have already been in touch with us and are seriously considering 2027 safaris, IT IS TIME TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR DEPOSIT TO SECURE YOUR SPOT. Are you interested and have not yet inquired about our options? We would love to send you some information with pricing and itinerary details.What are you waiting for?
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PHOTO JOURNEY UPDATE:You may have seen on the news yesterday that all 64 Painted Tree stores nationwide closed suddenly without prior notice. Managers and workers of local stores, as well as thousands of hard-working vendors, had no prior knowledge of this decision. Timing was especially painful for us, since we had spent a good part of last week repainting and refreshing our gallery. Because we were encouraged and feeling very hopeful about our business there, I had recently placed a VERY LARGE order of 20 canvases, including several specific to Knoxville. Needless to say, we're wondering about what's next and are considering options. However, we firmly believe that God has this all under control and know for sure that He "orders our steps," as referenced in Psalm 37: 23-24. It's not really our desire to close entirely, but we do seek His direction in this matter.Now overloaded with inventory, we are hoping to eventually find another suitable gallery space in our hometown. Do you have any friends or acquaintances who have a space available? We'd be interested to hear about it!If you know anyone in Knoxville who is looking for artwork for their home or office, let us know.
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Celebrating the resurrection of our Lord together! We all missed Hallie (who wasn’t able to make it home from grad school), but it was a lovely day.
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You'll love our Lee University collages! This is a custom order that we just finished for a 2026 graduate. Choose your pictures, size, and frame as a special surprise for your graduate or Lee staff member.Contact us for details.
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youtu.be/atEO-_vWofAMarcy and I are proud to serve as U.S. Liaisons and Brand Ambassadors for Instinct Tours Tanzania Safaris, led by the exceptional Arnold Makinda. Known simply as “Makinda,” he is one of Tanzania’s most respected safari guides. As a former General Secretary of the Tanzania Tour Guides Association and an instructor who has trained over 1,000 aspiring guides, Makinda brings unmatched expertise to every safari.This video is part of our Safari Moments series—short clips that give you a glimpse into the incredible experience of traveling with Instinct Tours. Here, you’ll see and hear the raw energy of the Great Migration: hundreds of wildebeest and zebras vocalizing, moving north through the Central Serengeti in their timeless quest for water and grazing lands.🔗 Learn more at instincttours.com#Safari #Tanzania #GreatMigration #SerengetiSafari #Tarangire #InstinctTours #Makinda #WildlifeSafari
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Just a quick update with more to come later! People are always asking us about whether or not we are able to see the animals up close on safari. While going through some files this morning, I saw these pictures from last September's Tanzania adventure. Diane Murphey (on her 2nd trip with us in this picture and coming with us once again this coming June) is getting the perfect shot. This is a very typical elephant encounter in Tarangire National Park!Our 2027 safaris (we have five scheduled, but one is already full) are getting a lot of attention from prospective travelers. If you are thinking that next year may be your time to jump in, DON'T DRAG YOUR FEET. Contact us for additional information.
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It has been two weeks already since we returned from our February trip to Tanzania. I hope you have enjoyed just a little glimpse into a totally different world. It's a world that Doug and I have come to love very much, and believe it or not, we're already looking forward to going back again in June.Every time I go, I come home with so many pictures, and as much as I love to share them with all of you, I am sure by now you have most likely seen enough for this trip. If you have seen anything that you love and would like to have in your home or office, we are happy to offer you our special friends and family discount of 20% on all custom orders through the end of March.We are very busy with preparations for 2027 safari trips now and would be happy to send information to anyone who may be interested in traveling with us next year. In order for you to really understand the impact that an experience like this can make on your life, you just have to experience it for yourself. As we like to say, "Once you go, you know." We would love to make this dream come true for you!
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Believe me, you certainly can not trust them. They can be annoying when they are seen begging along the road. They won't win any prizes for beauty. You must always remember to lock sliding glass doors and zip up your tent.BUT...A SAFARI JUST WOULDN'T BE THE SAME WITHOUT THE BABOONS!We usually see lots of baboons wandering along the road, and it's a sure thing that after a good baboon encounter, we'll be laughing and looking forward to the next one. These characters can be so funny just by being themselves! Today's images represent two different baboon sightings on our recent safari. The last one was when they had raided a "sausage tree" and were coming toward us with sausages in their mouths. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I asked Doug if monkeys or baboons were funnier. He wasn't sure. Well, my vote goes with baboons. Sometimes I wonder if they are so funny simply because they remind me so much of ourselves!
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There is something unforgettable about Tanzania during the Great Migration. This is the season when the safari builds from the elephant country of Tarangire to the vast plains of the Serengeti and then north toward the Mara River, where the Great Migration becomes the emotional centerpiece of the journey.What we love most about this safari is its rhythm. Guests begin at a resort near Arusha, move into classic safari country among giant baobabs and elephant herds, pass through the beautiful highlands near Karatu and Ngorongoro, and then settle into tented camp life in the Serengeti as the adventure unfolds.It is not just a checklist of parks. It is a beautifully paced experience of wildlife, landscape, culture, hospitality, and education.We have now created a more detailed late-season safari page (click below) with photos for anyone who would like a closer look.If the Great Migration of the Serengeti has ever been on your bucket list, send us a message and we will be happy to share details. The dates for the Great Migration trip are August 19-30. (These are actual safari dates and do not include flight dates or pre-nights.) -- 11 nights, $7,785 plus flightsLooking forward to hearing from you!Doug & MarcyMarcy’s Photo Journey / Instinct Tours Tanzania Safaristhisphotojourney.com/index.php/great-migration-safari/#TanzaniaSafari #GreatMigration #Serengeti #Tarangire #Ngorongoro #AfricanSafari #WildlifePhotography #MarcysPhotoJourney #InstinctTours
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WE ARE LOOKING FOR A SINGLE LADY WHO HAS ALWAYS WANTED TO GO ON A SAFARI!It is very unusual at his time of year, but an opening is available for one female traveler who would be interested in going with us to Tanzania this September. The actual safari dates are September 20-30, but these dates do not include flight days or pre-nights. If you are interested in sharing a room with another single lady, please contact us ASAP for more details.This is our Great Migration Safari and it is the most popular time to travel to The Serengeti. If you'd prefer, you could fly over with us, and we promise to take excellent care of you from beginning to end. BIG BONUS: This safari is our first time in doing a limited, exclusive trip, and we are only accepting a total of eight people. We will have two vehicles of four persons to ensure that there is plenty of extra room to move around and photograph the migration. We have also booked some new, high-end properties that we are excited about trying for the first time during this exclusive trip. Your cost is $7485 plus flights, which is $300 less than the 2027 rates.DO YOU FEEL THE SERENGETI CALLING YOU?
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AND THEN THERE ARE THE LIONS!Lions will always be safari kings, and we are usually especially lucky to see many of them on each safari adventure. Because they are so communal, they add up quickly, and we ended this past experience with a grand total of 55 lion sightings! February has proven to be the very best time for lion viewing because that is the only time of year that we visit the Lake Ndutu area of the Serengeti. Since Lake Ndutu is the gathering place and calving area for huge herds of wildebeests and zebras, the predators (lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas) naturally follow, seeking out either the older, weaker herd members or the newborn babies.Our weather this time at Lake Ndutu was very wet and very muddy, resulting in many safari vehicles being stuck. Our expert drivers, Makinda and Jume, managed to navigate through some dicey spots during our three days there, and we always felt safe as we passed by dozens of others who were mired in the mud. More than once, we stopped to lend a hand to those who were less fortunate and needed assistance.The wildlife seemed rather unaffected by the weather, but I was glad to get some different images and feel that the puddles, mud, foggy mist, and rain actually added some interest to many of the photos. Hope you enjoy this first batch of lions!
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There's never a shortage of elephants! We had some amazing elephant encounters in Tarangire and Serengeti National Parks. There's nothing that makes you feel so small as being in close proximity to an elephant. Come to Tanzania with us in 2027 and see for yourself! We are now taking deposits for five safaris next year.
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ANOTHER BIG CAT THAT IS ALWAYS A THRILL TO SEE IS THE CHEETAH! On this last trip, we saw our first one just after we arrived in the Serengeti, and with some wonderful maneuvering by our drivers and guides, we were able to get some great images. Although this one was alone, they often hunt in pairs or threes, and many times these hunting teams are brothers.BUILT FOR SPEED!The cheetah is the fastest land animal and Africa’s most endangered big cat. Built for speed, it can accelerate to more than 70 mph in just over three seconds, covering strides up to seven meters long. Its flexible spine, long legs, narrow frame, and balancing tail all contribute to its incredible sprinting ability. Specialized muscles give the limbs a wider swing, boosting acceleration.Cheetah foot pads are hard and less rounded than those of other cats, acting like tire treads for traction during sharp turns. Their short, semi-retractable claws resemble a dog’s more than a cat’s, working like track spikes to grip the ground and increase speed.FAST AND FLEXIBLE!The cheetah’s spine is uniquely flexible, acting like a spring that powers each stride. Its long, muscular tail works like a rudder, counterbalancing body weight and swinging side to side to stabilize sharp turns during high-speed chases.Unlike most cats, a cheetah’s shoulder blades are not fixed to the collarbone, which allows the shoulders to move freely. At the hips, the joints pivot widely so the rear legs can stretch far apart when the body is fully extended. Together, this hip and shoulder flexibility produces an exceptional stride length of about 21 feet, with four strides completed every second. During each stride, the cheetah is airborne twice: once when fully extended and once when the legs are tucked beneath the body.
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Every safari trip includes plenty of monkeys! I asked Doug a little while ago which is more entertaining, monkeys or baboons? He really couldn't call it because they are both so funny and provide good safari entertainment.We already have one of our five safaris now full for 2027. If you have any interest or know of anyone who would love this kind of adventure travel, let us know. Brand new itineraries are being developed, and we'd love nothing better than to send them to you.Questions have arisen about the physical stamina required to do a safari trip. These trips do not require a high level of physical fitness. You will be riding in a land cruiser safari vehicle for most of the day and are only required to walk short distances while in lodges and camps. There is no "roughing it," as we stay in top-notch properties with great amenities.Once you go, you know! These Tanzania trips are truly life changing and so much fun. We now have guests who will be traveling with us for the fourth time soon. Consider coming with us and see what all the fuss is about.
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More leopards!Because we actually had two leopard sightings on this trip, I was able to grab a lot of images of one of the most beautiful animals out there. Such intensity in those eyes! The close up portraits were fun to capture, but being able to pull back and watch their behavior, both on the ground and in a tree, was thrilling.#marcysphotojourney #instincttours #tanzaniasafari #travelphotography #tanzania #WildlifePhotography #africansafari #africanwildlife #fineartphotography #knoxvillephotographer #Grit & Grace Market #paintedtreeboutiques #paintedtreeknoxville
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It's always a thrill to spot a favorite animal and be able to capture it through my lens, but the kinds of images that I love most are beautiful landscapes with wildlife in them. The Lake Ndutu area of the Serengeti provides wonderful opportunities for those types of shots. We only include Lake Ndutu in the itinerary of our February safaris because that is the time of year when the animals are migrating through the area. This year, due to unprecedented rains there, landscapes were a little wetter in general, but still interesting. Here are a few of my favorites!
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UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY IF YOU ACT QUICKLY! In case you haven't heard, we're doing an exclusive safari experience this coming September that is limited to eight travelers...2 vehicles with four per vehicle. We are checking out a couple of new upscale properties that will be under consideration for future trips. Right now we have six committed, including us, so there is still room for two more. We will be concentrating on catching the Mara River crossing at the end of the safari and have our fingers crossed that the wildebeests and zebras will cooperate with our schedule. However, even if their timing doesn't perfectly coincide with ours, we promise it'll be a great time together. Dates of actual safari are September 20-30. The Rhino Project, a special excursion to a restricted part of the Serengeti is also planned. Because time is rapidly running out, we would have to know you're in NO LATER THAN MARCH 15TH. All inclusive package except for air fare for $7485. ANY TAKERS?
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WHAT A SAFARI!Back home now and starting to go through thousands of pictures from our most recent Tanzania adventure. This particular safari had so many "firsts." I was happy to be able to get some close up leopard portraits that I wanted to share a few with you right away.Once again, we had a great group of travelers, and over the two weeks together, we became more like family than friends. These safari experiences can't be described accurately. There are simply not enough words! It is something you have to experience first hand to understand. If you've been considering joining us, 2027 could be your year. We now have five trips scheduled and you are invited to come along. Over the next couple of weeks, you'll be hearing testimonials from previous guests and seeing lots of pictures. Think about it!
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The Notable Nine leaving our first camp in the Serengeti. It has been an amazing adventure, and we begin the long journey home this evening. There hasn’t been much opportunity or time to post regularly, but plenty of wildlife images coming your way soon. This was our first time ever to see TWO LEOPARDS!!! We also kept an ongoing account of lion sightings and ended up with 55 total.
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Catching up…Today was our third day of safari, and what an incredible adventure is underway! Leaving Tarangire National Park this morning, the “Notable Nine” journey to the Serengeti tomorrow for the next five nights. Our baggage is still not with us (after five days), but we’re managing and maintaining hope. From our most recent communication with the airlines, tomorrow looks promising as our possible delivery day. We have learned that we can make it with very little if we have to as long as we’re safe and have each other.I haven’t had time to go through pictures from my better cameras, but will share cell phone images from the past couple of days. Hopefully, I’ll have a chance to do better soon!
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For those English majors out there, I’m recalling the line from an old poem (“To a Mouse,” 1785) by Robert Burns, “The best laid schemes of mice and men go oft astray.” Who knew what awaited us when we landed early yesterday morning in Amsterdam to this beautiful sunrise? After a 2 1/2 hour layover, we enthusiastically boarded our final flight to Tanzania. But after sitting on the plane for another 2 1/2 hours, we were told our flight was officially canceled due to a leak, making the flight unsafe. After that, much chaos ensued while 250 passengers sought rebooking solutions. We finally received our new route about 4:15 in the afternoon. Fortunately, we were able to check in to a hotel in the airport where we await our evening flight to Paris, then an overnight flight to Rwanda, and finally on to Tanzania arriving tomorrow afternoon at 1:25. Thankful for travel insurance and feeling a little worse for the wear, but we will get there eventually, just 2 days later than planned. I can’t even remember the last time I slept a solid 12 hours as I did last night! All is good…
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Met up with Janna at the Knoxville airport, and we’re on our way! Even though this is our 8th trip to Tanzania, and our 11th to Africa, it never gets old. We’re excited…Tanzania, here we come!
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DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU DIFFERENTLY! It is the lioness, not the beautiful guy with the mane, that does all of the work. In a few short days, we will be making our 11th trip to Africa. I have enjoyed taking tens of thousands of pictures of lions during those adventures. Most often, males are resting, sleeping, or strolling along playing the role of king. Don't get me wrong, they are incredibly attractive animals, and my heart still always beats just a little faster when we happen upon a great sighting of a male lion. But it didn't take me long to realize that it is the lioness who is the really important one in the lion kingdom. Primary hunter, cub raiser, and protector, she is the one most deserving of all of those naps.COME WITH US TO TANZANIA IN 2027 AND ENJOY THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME! We have four great options:• February 6-17, 2027• June 19-July 1, 2027•September 4-15, 2027(arrival & departure dates, pre & post nights available)Response for next year's safaris has been great so far, and we don't want you to be left out. Contact us by private message or leave a comment below to receive more information.#marcysphotojourney #wildlifephotography #tanzania #tanzaniasafari #africanwildlife #africansafari #travelphotography #instincttours
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We spent the majority of today preparing our Cleveland gallery for the HUGE END OF THE SEASON SALE at Grit & Grace Market. Since returning from our January trip to Yellowstone, Doug and I have been very busy ordering new work, framing, and making some important decisions about the future of Marcy's Photo Journey.In order to make room for several brand new pieces in the upcoming year, we decided to drastically reduce many, many canvases and metals that have been hanging around a while. Several have now been priced less than what we paid for them, and even though that's hard to do, we are hoping many of our customers will take advantage of this opportunity to get in on an excellent deal for your home or office. Because we wanted to discount as much as possible, we have removed many pieces from the frames and are planning to reuse the frames for new work. We simply couldn't afford to take a loss on the frames in addition to the canvases and metals.Plan to stop by during this seasonal sale that starts tomorrow and goes through Monday. We are sure you'll find plenty of bargains, and we'd also love to see what you think of our newly added pieces! (For best viewing, view full screen and read accompanying commentary. Two of our new additions are pictured below and were taken on our trip to Yellowstone.)#marcysphotojourney #knoxvillephotographer #fineartphotography #photographicart #naturephotography #travelphotography #wildlifephotography #smallbusinessbigdreams #walldecor #artisticphotography
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When the temperatures rise like they have over the past couple of days, I always start thinking ahead to our rapidly approaching spring here in east Tennessee. Although most of you know how much I love to travel, I want to be home when the dogwoods bloom and when the Smokies show off the most gorgeous shades of green you have ever seen! And then there's the annual excitement of seeing little cubbies, as the mama bears start venturing out of their dens. Can't help but think that by the time we return from Tanzania, there will be plenty signs of renewal and regeneration of nature around here. Nature never disappoints, no matter what the season, but for me there is a special excitement in the air this time of year. Hoping today's images will cause you to also look forward to our upcoming new, fresh season.#marcysphotojourney #gritandgracemarket #paintedtreeknoxville #greatsmokymountainsnationalpark #greatsmokymountains #greatsmokies #cadescove #spring #naturephotography #knoxvillephotographer
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One week from today, we will be leaving once again for Tanzania with our February group of nine travelers! One of the biggest highlights of the trip for us is our visit to Unity School. Doug has been working diligently on a website for our mission project there that started just two years ago. With your financial help and prayers, so much good has been done already, and the future looks hopeful and bright. Please take a few moments to peruse the website at mpjprojects.org and read our story. Doug has done such a great job, and I believe you'll enjoy checking it out.It's not too late to donate, so that we can include your funds when we leave next week. There are several ways to donate listed on the website. THANK YOU!(SHARES GREATLY APPRECIATED!)#marcysphotojourney #tanzania #instincttours #tanzaniasafari #adventuretravel #heartfortanzania
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Fond memories of Charleston...#marcysphotojourney #gritandgracemarket #paintedtreeknoxville #travelphotography #knoxvillephotographer #fineartphotography #walldecor #charleston #rainbowrow #landscapephotography #angeloak #angeloaktree
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It's a great day to visit Marcy's Photo Journey's local galleries! Just in case you're new to our page and are not aware, our photography can be seen and purchased at Painted Tree Boutiques - Knoxville, TN and Grit & Grace Market-Cleveland, TN. We have a great variety of images available in both locations, including framed canvases, metals, and unframed matted prints. While you're there, also check out our boxed greeting card and notecard collections, as well as individually packaged 5 X 7 greeting cards.We also operate and maintain an online Etsy shop easily accessed at marcysphotojourney.etsy.com. Our Etsy shop just exceeded 100 sales!
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Outside our kitchen window on one of the recent snow days!#paintedtreeknoxville #marcysphotojourney #gritandgracemarket #naturephotography #knoxvillephotographer #birdlife #birdphotography
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It's only been three weeks since we returned from our winter trip to Yellowstone. While many prefer to escape to a warm location during the winter months, we love to travel to a spot where we can enjoy snowy landscapes and capture scenic, winter images through our lenses. I'm not a fan of freezing temperatures, but it's always worth it to brave the cold, wind, and ice for a few days to enjoy the incredible beauty of a snowy winter.Some of our favorite winter escapes are to the states of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. Hope you enjoy today's photos that provide just a glimpse into why we love to head west during January each year.All of our work is available for purchase, and we would love to work with you to create a custom photographic art piece for your home or office. To help us spread the word about our small, family business, please feel free to share our daily posts and invite friends and family to follow our page. THANK YOU!#marcysphotojourney #yellowstone #grandtetonnationalpark #knoxvillephotographer #Grit & Grace Market #paintedtreeknoxville #winterphotography #snowymountains #scenicphotography #landscapephotography
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WELCOME TO ALL OF OUR NEW FOLLOWERS!Doug and I are so happy that you have decided to come along on our photography and travel journey. Many of you may not know yet that we escort guests to Tanzania 3-4 times per year. For three years now, we have worked with Instinct Tours to provide THE VERY BEST of safari experiences.We are currently gearing up for 2027 and have had wonderful response so far from many who are interested in joining us. If this is something that you've had on your bucket list for a while and you'd like to receive information about our life-changing adventures in Africa, please contact us by private message or leave a comment below.(ALL SHARES GREATLY APPRECIATED.)#marcysphotojourney #instincttours #arnoldmakinda #africa #safariadventure #tanzania #tanzaniasafari #travelwithme #travelphotography #adventuretravel #TripOfALifetime
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It was a foggy, misty, sloppy, muddy day in Cades cove yesterday, but there was still beauty to be found. We had it mostly to ourselves, except for the deer that were out and about in large numbers.#marcysphotojourney #paintedtreeknoxville #Grit & Grace Market #fineartphotography #greatsmokymountainsnationalpark #greatsmokymountains #knoxvilletennessee #knoxvillephotographer #naturephotography #photographicart
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If you've followed our journey for even just a few years, you probably already know that I love nothing more than to be out in nature, photographing God's beautiful world. So many different kinds of landscapes and wildlife provide inspiration, and I never tire of seeing what I can capture through my lens. What you may not know, however, is that I also LOVE to take pictures of amazing architecture! Especially as we began traveling in European countries, I discovered that I can spend hours in cathedrals capturing fascinating detail, both simplistic and ornate. Repeated Gothic arches grab me every time. In 2017 I had the chance to accompany my son Jared on a study trip to Troyes, France. He left each morning for the library, and I filled my days for two weeks enjoying wandering around this incredible medieval city with my camera. Today's images were taken in the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (Troyes Cathedral) which was completed in 1208. Our apartment was just a couple of blocks from the cathedral, so every time I went anywhere, I walked right past it and was compelled to go in and take a few more shots. "Sacred Light" (vertical) is still a personal favorite of mine, perhaps because of the memories attached to it. With its neutral palette, textural components, and repeating patterns, this vertical image would be an asset to any room or office.(Please remember that all shares of this post are greatly appreciated.)#marcysphotojourney #Grit & Grace Market #paintedtreeknoxville #tennesseephotographer #TravelPhotography #fineartphotography #france #architecturalphotography #cathedralphotography #medievalhistory #wallart #homedecor #photographer
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WE ARE LOOKING FOR MORE FOLLOWERS!In order to go to the next level and experience more success with our online efforts for Marcy's Photo Journey, it is important that we actively strive to increase our number of followers. You can really help us with this by inviting your friends and family to become part our Facebook page by just going to this page and clicking on "follow." My goal is to post at least five days per week, featuring images from near and far. Doug and I began getting serious about travel and photography ten years ago. We have now visited 47 states and 31 countries around the world...it's been quite a ride! It is our pleasure to share our travel photos and stories with you, and we're committing to do a better job of that as we move into this new year. Today's images are from our first visit to Italy. I remember being so taken with photographing windows and doors while we toured the medieval city of Siena. The day started out with torrential rain, and we were trying to carry umbrellas, while protecting our cameras from the rain and dodging puddles. After lunch the sun finally broke through, and we ended up feeling very fortunate that we were able to capture both rainy and sunny pictures at that great location. Hope you enjoy this look back to 2016 when we had a little more spring in our steps. Yes, we are older and somewhat slower now, but life is always a great adventure, and there are still many places we want to go and experience.WE WOULD LOVE FOR ONE OF OUR BEAUTIFUL IMAGES TO FIND ITS PERMANENT HOME WITH YOU! All of our work is available for purchase, and every picture has its own story that we'd be happy to include with your image. (Please remember that shares of our posts are always greatly appreciated.)#marcysphotojourney #knoxvilletennessee #knoxvillephotographer #fineartphotography #travel #travelphotography #travelwithme #photographicart #homedecor #WallArt #walldecor
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Cades Cove horses#marcysphotojourney #cadescove #greatsmokymountains #greatsmokies #Tennessee #knoxville #knoxvilletennessee #townsendtn #horses #fineartphotography #photographicart
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Just three short weeks from today, Doug and I will be landing in Kilimanjaro International Airport to enjoy our 8th trip to Tanzania! We are excited and looking forward once again to escorting our group of nine adventurers on a life-changing journey like no other.Once again, we are asking for donations for Unity School, a place that has become very near and dear to our hearts. MPJ Tanzania Projects, our 501(C)(3) tax-free corporation, now has a brand new website for you to check out! (mpjprojects.org) We can no longer accept donations through personal Venmo, PayPal, or checks. EVERY DONATION MUST NOW COME THROUGH MPJ TANZANIA PROJECTS. If you'd like to donate to this very worthy effort, you may send a check to MPJ Tanzania Projects, 405 Rodeo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37934 or contribute electronically through Zelle or PayPal to mpj.tanzania.projects@gmail.com.With the help of our growing number of donors, we have built bathrooms with flushing toilets and sinks, installed lighting in classrooms and dining room, put new roof on teachers work room, renovated several classrooms, installed a water filtration system, bought new student desks and chairs, painted entire exterior and improved grounds, upgraded kitchen facilities with new stoves and equipment, replaced broken windows, provided books and school supplies, and are donating monthly to cover nutritious lunches for students and teachers. Your donations are truly making a big difference in the lives of our precious students, but there is a lot more we plan to do. CAN YOU HELP US?(SHARES GREATLY APPRECIATED!)
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LOVELY LAST DAY...Our second snow coach day was a standout favorite! As we went into the park, a thick hoarfrost covered everything, making the scenery extra magical. There were swans and ducks on the Madison River, and the hardy bison trudged along in the snow, as we made our way further into the park with the destination of Yellowstone River Canyon. Three different views of the Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls were certainly worth the chilly walks outside the coach, and we stopped to enjoy our boxed deli lunches near Chittenden Bridge, overlooking the beautiful Yellowstone River.Perhaps it was even more special to us because we knew that it would be our last time to soak in the crisp, bright, beautiful winter views that we had enjoyed throughout our journey. We found ourselves already discussing the possibilities of returning here or perhaps taking in Glacier or Yosemite in future winters. Time will tell, but we left the next morning feeling that we had made a good decision to once again enjoy Yellowstone during January!If you would like to have any of our Yellowstone in winter images for your home, we can make that happen. Custom orders placed by the end of January, will receive a 20% discount off of our normal gallery pricing. Choose your size, format, and frame. We have a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our work and would love to work with you on a special photographic art piece for your home. Contact us for details.
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Yellowstone National Park's west entrance cannot be accessed by car during the winter season. Visitors may walk in, take a snowmobile tour, or a snow coach tour to the interior of the park. There are two snow coach routes, one to Old Faithful and the other to Yellowstone Canyon. It's a long day because you're on the coach from dawn until dusk, but well worth the investment of both time and money. Today's pictures are from our first snow coach day, starting the morning along the Madison River where we saw the park wake up and enjoyed a lot of frosty trees and snow scenes. In addition to Old Faithful, we saw Gibbons Falls and Firehole Falls.
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SPONTANEITY PAYS!After relocating to West Yellowstone, we decided at the last minute to get up and out early and spend the day on a journey to the Grand Tetons. It ended up being our favorite day! These images capture our adventure from before dawn to dark. It was a day we'll always remember...made better, I think, because it wasn't planned.
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We're actually headed home later today, so the remaining pictures from this winter Yellowstone adventure will be coming from Knoxville over the next couple of days. It's been a very good experience, and we've enjoyed both the rest days and the active days. Now we turn our thoughts and plans back to Tanzania since it's only a month until we leave with our February guests.
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MOVING DAY!We spent the first half of our time located just outside the north entrance of Yellowstone (in Emigrant) where we could access Lamar Valley and Mammoth Hot Springs. It was the perfect spot for us to enjoy that portion of the park and take advantage of some high quality rest when in the cabin. Half way through our trip (January 11th) was moving day when we relocated to the west entrance, staying in the small town of West Yellowstone. Today's images range from our last look at the great Yellowstone River view from the cabin to the trip through Livingston, Bozeman, Big Sky and on to West Yellowstone. It was a gorgeous day, and I love to take pictures from the car, so almost all of these were shot while we were on the move. The terrain, especially the snow pack, changed quite a bit over the 3 hour drive. We went from the beautiful mountain views of the Absaroka range through the city of Bozeman and then through the Gallatin River Gorge, where the forested hills on both sides of the road were covered with snow...stunningly beautiful.
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PhotosAlmost to the northeast entrance at the end of Lamar Valley, a great view awaits before exiting the park and driving on to Cooke City. (And perhaps a cup of coffee and fresh cinnamon roll!)
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A few more images from our last morning at our Emigrant cabin, north of Yellowstone, and our last day in Lamar Valley.
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Yellowstone is known for a lot of things, but possibly the most familiar image from this incredible place is the American bison. If you have spent much time in the park, you have likely been stopped in a bison jam as these huge, majestic creatures saunter down the road, either coming toward you or walking the same direction you're going. Opportunities may arise to put down your window and come eye to eye with a bison. If I have a chance, I love to try to get these shots! These were from our last day in Lamar Valley, accessed from the north entrance.
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No, the Tetons were not in our plans for this trip, but we had an open day and decided at the last minute to make the six hour round trip to hang out for about five hours in one of our favorite places. No regrets, just a great adventure!
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Checking in from our new location in West Yellowstone where we have MUCH MORE SNOW!
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A leisurely drive along Old Yellowstone Trail searching for eagles and elk only yielded a few landscapes, but it was enjoyable anyway.
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