Fall Bears of Katmai Alaska

Another in a long line of fun photo shoots with the Brown Bears of Katmai NP in Alaska. This photo shoot took place from September 10-16, 2009 with Chuck Keim of Coastal Outfitters. Our group of 8 photographers met on Kodiak Island and float planed out to the boat ...

Read the 2009 Fall Bears of Katmai Alaska Trip Report

Wild Horses of the Pryor Mountains

During the first two weeks of July 2009 I led several private tours into the Pryor Mountains of Montana/Wyoming after wild horses in wild flowers. This summer the wild flowers were spectacular as were the mustangs ...

Read the 2009 Wild Horses Trip Report

Ultimate Yellowstone!

As many of you know this is a trip I have done many times. This year we were there January 24-31st. It still remains one of my favorites trips as I can never get enough of Yellowstone National Park. This trip broke the temperature record for me as one morning when we went ...

Read the 2009 Ultimate Yellowstone Trip Report

North Dakota Wildlife

For the third time in three years I once again led the photo shoot for Minnesota Wildlife Connection to the badlands of North Dakota. As always we were there the last weekend of April. This year the weather was a mixed bag with wind, cold, snow, and rain with a few sun breaks ...

Read the 2009 North Dakota Wildlife Trip Report

African Safari

From July 26 - August 21st of 2008 a small group of (8) photographers experienced the trip of a life time traveling to four different countries in Africa. On this trip I personally photographed over 80 wildlife species, this included several endangered species including wild dog, mountain gorilla and golden monkey! On many days ...

Read the 2008 African Safari Trip Report

Memory Card Do's and Don'ts

Think you know everything you need to know about digital photography and memory cards? Did you know that memory cards work best if they are reformatted after you've downloaded the images? When was the last time you updated your firmware? Learn this and more at Mike's article at Lexar...

Read the Memory Card Do's and Don'ts

North Dakota Wildlife Model Shoot

Wow is all I can say about the photo shoot in North Dakota this year. On April 26, 27, and 28th, 2008 I once again led a trip for Minnesota Wildlife Connection to the badlands of Medora, North Dakota. In three and a half days I shot more than 10,000 images of bobcat, badger, coyote, wolves, mountain lion, wild horses, and sharp-tailed grouse performing ...

Read the 2008 Badlands Trip Report

2008 Ultimate Yellowstone

This is a trip I have done numerous times. This winter there was more snow than we have had in many winters! In fact the day we went to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone we were going through snow drifts so high...

Read the 2008 Ultimate Yellowstone Trip Report

Michael Francis Authors Articles for Lexar

Mike's articles at Lexar - Digital Photography, the source for professional workflow are now linked up below. Check them out!

Bald Eagle and Brown Bear Photography in Alaska

There are few places in North America where you can observe and photograph bald eagles and brown bears from the same spot. In Katmai National Park in Alaska, both of these animals are commonly seen each day... Read more...

Winter Photography In Yellowstone National Park

Winter in Yellowstone is my favorite time of year. First, the crowds are gone and the place is quiet. Being on a high plateau, Yellowstone receives lots of snow and cold weather. Combine that snow and below-zero temperatures with the thermal features and some wildlife and you have a winter wonderland... Read more...

Private Ranches of the Rio Grande Valley

What a nice break from the cold weather up north, it was 9 degrees when I left Billings, MT and 88 degrees when I arrived in McAllen, Texas. From Dec 1-7, 2007 my small group and I photographed on four private ranches utilizing specially designed photo blinds at...

Read the 2007 Private Ranches of the Rio Grande Valley Trip Report

Yellowstone & Grand Tetons in Autumn

We hit fall color at its peak in the Tetons and this time around we had weather conditions that gave us a little of everything, from brilliant blue skies, to dark clouds and rain, to snow in Yellowstone!

Read the 2007 Yellowstone & Grand Tetons Trip Report

Bald Eagles & Bears of Katmai Alaska

Another fantastic photo shoot! My 8th trip with Chuck Keim of Coastal Outfitters took place from June 10-20, 2007. Our group of seven photographers met June 8th on Kodiak Island and the next day explored the island by vehicle. The following morning we flew by floatplane to the 60 foot boat which was to be our home for the next 10 days...

Read the 2007 Katmai Trip Report

North Dakota Wildlife Model Shoot

On April 27-29, 2007 I led a photo trip for The Minnesota Wildlife Connection to the rugged badlands of Medora, North Dakota. We were able to photograph the "trained" animals free roaming in this spectacular scenery. Animal models included coyote, wolves (including month old pups), mountain lions, bobcat, porcupine, and badger.

Read the 2007 Badlands Trip Report