MICHELLE VALBERG | MAGICAL YELLOWSTONE | NATIONAL PARK

MAGICAL YELLOWSTONE |
NATIONAL PARK
By Michelle Valberg

In Yellowstone, the mythical wonders surrounding you are unlike anything else.
Established in 1872 and located primarily in Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park was America’s first national park. To this day, Yellowstone remains one of the country’s most popular national parks with millions of annual visitors. Yellowstone spans almost 3,500 miles and extends into parts of Montana and Idaho, making it one of the largest national parks in the US.

March 1st, 2023, will mark Yellowstone’s 150th anniversary as a National Park. It remains one of the country’s most popular national parks with millions of annual visitors. Yellowstone spans almost 3,500 miles and extends into parts of Montana and Idaho, making it one of the largest national parks in the US.
Yellowstone National Park sits on top of a dormant volcano and is home to more geysers and hot springs than any other place on earth. Wonders abound at this truly unique national park, from sites like the Yellowstone Grand Canyon to wildlife like America’s largest buffalo herd, grizzly bears, and wolves. Approximately 50 percent of the world’s hydrothermal features are at Yellowstone National Park, creating an effect that makes the ground appear to be on fire. The most famous of all the geysers is Old Faithful, one of the most popular and recognized natural wonders in the United States.

“The natural world mirrors what we see in ourselves…
our beauty, our simplicity, our complications, and our responsibilities. Nature is a part of us and reflects who we are. As a visual storyteller, it is my mission to educate, inspire, and immerse my viewers in the beauty and wonder of planet earth.” – Michelle Valberg

Michelle Valberg is a Nikon Ambassador and an acclaimed wildlife photographer who has been telling stories with her camera for over 30 years. She has traveled to all continents searching for adventure and photographic opportunities; she is especially renowned for her love of Canada and the Arctic.

MICHELLE VALBERG

You’ll find her captivating photos on magazine covers, featured in numerous publications and exhibitions, and hanging in Canadian Embassies all over the world. Her iconic images also appear on a coin from the Royal Canadian Mint and on Canada Post stamps. She recently received the 16th Annual Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers and was the 2021 Big Picture Natural World Photography Competition winner in the Terrestrial category.
Michelle will represent Canada at the World Photographic Cup in May 2022 with her iconic image of “Boss,” the Spirit Bear.
Michelle bares a rare combination of dazzling talent and dedicated service, stretching beyond photography. Her focus on philanthropy is another expression of her deep compassion. In addition, she is a public speaker, community leader, and advocate for animals, the environment, and conservation.
Michelle is a Light and Motion Champion of Light as well as an ambassador for Think Tank and Hoodman.
She has published four books and is the first Canadian Geographic Photographer-in-Residence; she is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society and an International Fellow of the Explorer’s Club in New York City.

“My photography is not about capturing a moment and holding on to it as evidence of our possession and mastery of nature. I think of it as an opportunity to look into the eyes of a wild creature and see ourselves reflected, to understand that we are, after all, intrinsically entwined. With every image I take, I seek connection with something bigger than myself. I continually dig deeper to find that moment and meaning to share with my viewers so they can create their own story within my image. I would like to thank Marshall Lewis from Bozeman Camera and Jeff Mitchell from Nikon USA for making my Yellowstone dream a reality.” – Michelle Valberg

In 1871, photographer William Henry Jackson joined the first federally funded geological survey of northwestern Wyoming, led by Ferdinand Hayden.
Jackson’s photographs taken during that trip helped convince Congress to establish Yellowstone as the world’s first national park, officially declared on March 1, 1872.
As for millions of others, this magical wonderland has also stolen my heart. From the geothermal geysers and magical crystalline steam to the roaming wildlife and rugged landscapes, I was overwhelmed with the beauty and wonder of Yellowstone. The mind-blowing colors, the dramatic textures, the frigid temperatures, the utter silence, the expanse… it was a dream to finally witness with my own eyes and without a doubt… I will return.
I am officially addicted.
Happy Sesquicentennial Yellowstone National Park!

See the full article in Lens Magazine Issue #99