YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (KFSN) — Home to lush landscape, towering granite walls and free-flowing falls, Yosemite National Park has provided inspiration for generations of artists.<\/p>\n
Nature photographer Marc Bouldoukian says the environment doubles as a classroom.<\/p>\n
“The first thing I learned is to listen to the birds,” he said. “When the birds start chirping or going crazy, like, loud noises, when you hear that, that means there’s something there,” he said.<\/p>\n
Born and raised in Lebanon, Bouldoukian moved to the US 14 years ago where after visiting Yosemite, his photography career would expand to include landscapes and nature.<\/p>\n
It even caught the eye of National Geographic.<\/p>\n
“Ever since then, I start to get more connected to nature and to visit this beautiful place,” he said.<\/p>\n
While Tunnel view introduced him to iconic landmarks and postcard-worthy vistas, it’s the animals residing within the park boundaries that keep him coming back.<\/p>\n
“No matter what it is, a bear, even a bear or a deer or coyote, you don’t want to walk to the animal and start taking photos of it,” he said. “You want to take your time, just observe the animal.”<\/p>\n
You may even come across another one of his favorite shots — unplanned.<\/p>\n
“It was in November, it was snowing and I did not see it at first,” Bouldoukian said.<\/p>\n
Thinking he had passed a snow covered rock along the road.<\/p>\n
“I kept walking to photograph,” he said. “I think it was a raven. Then as soon as I was done with the raven, I came back and I did not see that rock where it was. Then I looked to the left behind the tree. That was a bear covered in snow, sleeping in the snow in broad daylight. It was just me. It was just one of my best encounters.”<\/p>\n
That feeling — worth the wait, especially when it comes to photographing the elusive great gray owl.<\/p>\n
“They’re not everywhere in Yosemite, and they’re very rare to find,” Bouldoukian said.<\/p>\n
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