Honestly, I like the picture of the Rams the best. It almost looks like a painting.

Huge props for stepping away to help a partner in need. Such a huge testament to your character. We will be happy with whatever content you are able to share. Wishing healing and improved health to your partner!

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, I appreciate your kind words and patience 🙂

❤ LOVED bear 399 and her cub! We are planning to be there in just a few weeks. My biggest hope would be to see 399 in the Tetons and Snow in YNP. Thank you for your work. It is an inspiration to me. Hope 2024 goes as you plan!

I enjoyed the video. Your support of your girlfriend shows character that we old folks worry has been lost on the younger generation. Good for you. I hope that she will fully recover and the seizures will be controlled. My daughter has epilepsy, and you are so right about the medication side effects . Good luck to her and to you. I will add her to my prayer list.

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you for that, we appreciate the well wishes. Yep, the side effects are no joke. She’s still trying to find the right medication that doesn’t have a negative effect on her. Thank you, and good luck and happy new year to you as well. 🙏

Amazing photos, I really liked how you broke down every image and went through very thorough detail. I am sorry to hear about your struggles this year but glad you pulled through. Hopefully she gets better very soon.

It's difficult to compete with the 399 foto and her cub. I think that one, pic number #6 and #4 are my favorite, in that order. Awesome work

I’m so sorry to hear about your girlfriend. I hope she’s doing better now. She’s lucky to have you support her like that. And I liked all those photos but I think that moose photo is stunning. I loved the blue and yellow color contrast in it.

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

I appreciate your kind words. Good to hear you liked the moose! I agree, the color contrast works well in it.

Great photos that you shared, awesome year! So sorry again to hear about how the year was for your girlfriend and you. Hope that the situation improves over this next year.

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thanks man! I appreciate your well wishes. Hope you’re having a great new year so far! 🙌

I really love your pictures! I hope your friend get’s better soon. Prayers for her ❤

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you!🙏

I will always feel happy when one of your vlogs pops up in my notifications! No matter how long it has been since the last one, I am so anxious to see each one. I am a sentimental old fool (just turned 76 last month) and the 399 picture still causes a welling of tears in my eyes no matter how often I see it. To me it is the photo of the century. I hope this spring you will see 399 again, with or without COY. Best of wishes this coming year for your photography goals, your vlogs, and in your personal life. Happy New Year indeed!

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you! I really appreciate the support, and I’m glad you are able to get so much enjoyment out of the vlogs. The 399 photo is certainly one for the books, I don’t know that I will top that photo for a long time! She’s an incredible bear, I am very hopeful we’ll see her again too. Happy new year to you as well, I hope you have a fantastic 2024!

All the photos were fantastic…I am partial to moose so I loved that one the most. Hope 2024 is a better year for you.

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, happy new year!

Excelente top

With your talents, Evan, and your determination, you'll make up for those 2023 speed bumps. We're pulling for you here in Texas. Do you plan on doing any photo guiding in Yellowstone or Grand Teton?

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you for the encouragement and support 🙏 I do! This summer I will be back at Canyon General Store, so not guiding throughout most of the year. However, next winter I will be guiding for Yellowstone Wild, primarily as a photo guide/workshop instructor. I will know more details as we get closer to the winter 2024/25 season, but that’s the plan right now.

Love the Pika photo

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏

Loved the Pika, for sure my favorite shot of yours!

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏

Thank you for sharing your favs, and your story. You are wonderfully genuine, and it shows in your work. Prayers for your girlfriend's full recovery, and much prosperity in 2024. PS: the Pika pic is adorable, and majestic. love it!

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, I appreciate the kind words! Happy new year!

The 399 shot was definitely a signature photo! Best wishes in 2024 for you guys and Godspeed!

What can I say that others haven't already expressed so eloquently.... You (and your works) are a treasure Evan ⭐️

I know you didn't get out as much as you wanted, but you sure got some great shots!

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thanks man, I appreciate that!

EVAN!!! Glad to see you back. Loved the entire collection and I know it reflects a great year. I might disagree with your "last" choice. I think the moose shot is great. It's a bulls eye composition which generally doesn't work as well but in this case it works quite nicely because of the moose's intense gaze which draws you right into the center of his presence. That very head on confrontational "don't mess with me" attitude that a moose can have comes through very strong. Nice to see the nature of the animal which is sometimes hard to do in a photo. I also think you hammered it on 610 and cubs crossing the river. Kathy Moran, a photo editor at Nat Geo was asked what she thought makes a great photo. Her answer was "I look for the surprise." When I first looked at the 610/river frame I thought I was looking at a small mountain range. The surprise came in a few seconds when I realized it was bears crossing in river mist. I loved that moment. I too love a pleasant surprise when I see a photo for the first time. Fantastic. I know you had a rough year but it looks like that may all be behind you. (Fingers crossed.) I know this winter will more than make up for lost time and opportunity. Can't wait to see what's coming. Oh yes, as usual, great exposure on the snow/sheep shot. Nice feeling of motion as well. While we're at it I'll say the Pica shot gave a very Ansel Adams feel in that you put yourself in it's place. A very small place and that gives you an incredible perspective on that vast expanse and stunning background. now BRING ON WINTER😁

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Great input Rod! I love your thoughts on the moose photo. Good point about the intensity of his gaze... you can tell he means business. Maybe I undersold that one a bit haha. That is a fantastic story! I feel even moreso like the 610 photo is a success now. It is definitely one of my more artistic/abstract works… it’s not your typical wildlife shot but it sounds like it’s landing as intended with viewers! It’s not quite all behind us (another seizure 2 days ago…) but the situation has greatly improved in comparison to last summer. We are back to at least some sense of normalcy. Thanks so much for your feedback, I appreciate the support my friend. Hope all is well with you and you are having a wonderful start to the new year. I agree, it’s been a dry winter so far but it’s well past time for some snow to pile up here in the park!!

I know it was #10 but that big Bull Moose photo was sharp!! Happy New Year!

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thanks! Happy new year!

Hope your girl friend gets better and keep up the good work. I really like your top 10 and #1 is my #1 also. Looking forward to more content.

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏 I’m glad you like the photos!

spoky video 😁door open and close 🤣. awesome pictures

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Hahaha 😂 yeah, I had to swap camera batteries and got one out of the closet… whoops! Thanks for the support

My favorite is the environmental one of Snow. I believe getting the perfect environmental image, to be harder to capture than that detailed portrait shot most of the time. It was great to hear and see your excitement while giving some detailed background on your best 10!!

Great vid highlighting your favorite pics. Pica is cool. I’ve seen many in the back country over the years in the Tetons at high elevation. I like your pic of Snow, but 399 is amazing. I was lucky to see her a few years ago with her 4 cubs. I also watched her and her new cub for a few hours in June a few weeks after she emerged. I appreciate your tips on the pics. I’m a novice photographer, but trying to get better. Just picked up a better lens for Xmas based on your channel motivating me and seeing so much wildlife last summer. You’re a good guy for taking care of your girlfriend. Health and people come first. 👍

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed, and I appreciate your thoughts. That’s awesome man, enjoy the lens! What did you get? I’m happy to hear I’ve been an inspiration :) good luck with your new lens, and happy new year!

@MoutainGuyAdventures

5 ай бұрын

@@wattswildlifephoto I ended up buying the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM based on one of your other vids. 👍I also got the extender 1.4x. Images are much sharper. Can’t wait to try it out this summer . Happy New Year.

Great photos your priorities were where they should be

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏

Sorry for your problems hope 2024 is better for you. I bought one of your prints of 399. I wish it was I took it. 399 is a favor of mine. Happy new year.

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, I appreciate the kind words and support. She’s a favorite of mine too, she’s incredible! Happy new year to you as well!

My best wishes for your girlfriend's full and speedy recovery.

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, we really appreciate that 🙏

Your photos are amazing, Evan, and I am sure that you could easily have included dozens more as "top" photos of 2023. I think of you mostly as a wildlife photographer, which usually means close-up images, so I was happily surprised to see that your top 10 included landscape shots and also a number of environmental shots. I personally have become increasingly drawn to creating images that include the habitat. Thanks for sharing so much info about your personal life. Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and productive 2024.

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you! I appreciate that. I agree, environmental shots tell a story about the habitat and the animal. Portraits are awesome, but environmentals are generally more interesting in my opinion. Happy new year, I hope you have a great and productive 2024 as well.

Pictures are awesome

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thanks 🙏

Thanks Evan. I bought a large canvas print of 399 for my wife and we love it. Super high quality. Also bought a pic of the falls. Hope your partner gets better soon and appreciate the videos.

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you for your purchases and support. I’m glad you are enjoying the prints!

Thanks!

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for the donation! Your support truly means the world to me and goes a long way in helping me continue to do this! 🙂

Love the 399 photo. Beautiful scene and loaded with emotion.

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏

That was a great collection of images, and you are fully entitled to be proud of them. I connected more with the arches image and the one of the bear in the burnt-out area and the Pronghorn and the Grizzly and her cub but still liked the rest! You have grown as a photographer and a videographer a great deal, except for one thing. You have nothing to apologize to us for, you have shared your life, your photography and videos and time with us and we are still here and we enjoy it. We all understand life happens and plans change, the only hope I have is that you get to continue in your passion, whatever that may be and life does not give you anything you cannot deal with. You sir, inspire people with your work and your compassion, just make sure you save some of that compassion for yourself. Evan have a great 2024 and when you have more to share we will be happy to see it. Nick from British Columbia

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you Nick, I appreciate the wise words, encouragement, and input. I am doing my best to balance it all… still figuring out exactly how to do that. Thoughtful comments like this one don’t go unnoticed 🙂 Happy new year!

Your videos are the reason I’m heading to Yellowstone this summer. I wish you and your girlfriend good health for 2024 and beyond!

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

I’m so glad to hear that, have fun! Thank you for the support, and have a wonderful 2024!

Thank you Evan for sharing these beautiful photos. They are all great. I love the 610 & family crossing the River , very unique capture and off coarse your photo of 399 and her cub is such a special shot in so many ways. Hope your girlfriend is doing well and I wish you a great 2024.

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, I’m glad you like them. We appreciate your well wishes, have an excellent 2024!

Really loved your end of year review and life updates Evan. You were meant to get that shot of a lifetime of 399 to soften your hard year I think! The stories behind your gorgeous photos make them even more special and picking favorites is next to impossible on so many levels. I must say as you were going through them, the Pika image really made me smile because of the overall composition I think, or maybe because I live not far from the North Cascades and it feels so much like home! Wishing you the best for 2024!

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, I appreciate the kind words! Yeah, when I got down to the top 3, it was very hard to decide. From an outside perspective, I think that pika would be my favorite too! It’s definitely the strongest image in the list to me. But I have a soft spot for 399 and her offspring… there was no way I couldn’t put them first! Anyways, thanks again for following along and happy new year!

You always put out quality content over quantity , and your content (videos/photos) are awesome. You've inspired me to take up wildlife photography, and all I can say is what you get for photos I hope I can achieve close to that one day

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Adam. Hearing I’ve been an inspiration is the best kind of encouragement :) I appreciate your support and hope your photography endeavors are going well!

what camera are you using? also love the Pica shot

Looking forward to your photos in 24!!!

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Happy New Year! May 2024 provide more adventures! I love your 399 and coy photo and 610 and 3 yearlings crossing the Snake River!

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you! Happy new year to you as well!

Always enjoy your posts, especially when they spark good conversations! Great photos, and I'm glad to hear your girlfriend is doing better. Hoping to bump into you at Yellowstone one day!

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you! I appreciate that, she is much better now although still dealing with some issues (another seizure just 2 days ago…). Overall though, the situation has greatly improved. Definitely come say hi if you see me out in the park!

Received your calendar as a Christmas gift for the third year. I think you are just getting better and better! Thanks for all the beautiful photos of the animals out west.

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, I appreciate that!! Glad you are enjoying the calendars.

Awesome!!!!!!!

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thanks!

Great top pics for 2023!! Setting the bar high for 2024 - can’t wait to see what you come up with.

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you! I appreciate your support 🙏

Awesome photos! I purchased your photo of the 399 and coy on metal and absolutely love it. I was there that day and your photo captured the moment perfectly. Happy new year! May 2024 be your best year yet.

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! I’m glad you like it! That was an amazing moment to experience. Happy new year to you as well, and I hope your 2024 is wonderful!

Ace work, Evan!

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you Randy!

Your photography is amazing. Thanks for sharing!

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

I appreciate that! Glad you enjoyed it!

Beautiful pictures love your art

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Outstanding you had an Awesome year in photography. Question want to go to Grand Teutons and Yellow Stone in the spring any thoughts and advice would be appreciated. Do you do tours,workshops?

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thanks! Currently I do in winters, but I won’t be this spring/summer. If you’re looking for a guide, I’d recommend Yellowstone Wild. They do a phenomenal job showing you what Yellowstone is all about and all of the guides are knowledgeable and helpful. As far as advice, get out there early in the morning. Thats when most of the action happens! There’s wildlife to be seen all over the park in spring, but Lamar should have the highest concentration.

I have applied with Xanterra for a front desk position at Lake Lodge, so I hope to meet up with you this summer

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Good luck! Hope I will run into you out there.

To be honest your videos aspire me to do more photography and your photos are amazing im a 16 year old amateur wildlife photographer but love to do it professionally but I have a question if you don’t mind should I do it or should I not?

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you! That’s a hard question to answer. It’s not an easy path to pursue, a person has really gotta love it and be dedicated. I can’t answer that for you as I don’t know you personally, but with persistence and hard work it is achievable for some.

@ani_jay2382

5 ай бұрын

@@wattswildlifephoto I would give everything to become one ever since I was little I was obsessed with animals and about 2 years ago I bought my first camera but I didn’t do enything with it until I met my now best friend who got me into photography and I haven’t stopped since I post pics on instagram and in my opinion I have improved a lot the thing is mostly that I’m scared to go for it and end up not making it sorry if I’m saying to much:) but thx for the advice

Don't sell yourself short, you're a great photographer, I really mean that. I been shooting landscape for ten years now, aways wanted to shoot wildlife on the side but I had a major stroke seven years ago, due to an AVM in my brain. I started having seizures just like your girlfriend, trust me nothing is as bad and scary as a fore on seizure. Thanks to a real bad surgeon I had a major stroke, five days in a coma, three months in a hospital, six months in rehab. I'm mostly paralyzed on my right side and have speech problems but all thing considering I'm doing O.K. I love animals not so much with people. Make sure that your girlfriend has a MIR done and has a brain specialist look at it. I wish you and your Lassie best of luck in the future.

@wattswildlifephoto

4 ай бұрын

Thank you for that. I’m so sorry to hear about your health issues. She had an MRI done and we’ve been to a few neurology appointments… she’s trying different medications now to figure out what works best for her. Thanks so much again for the advice and support, and I wish you a wonderful day.

What site are you using to sell your photos?

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Squarespace

This is why men should build their wealth and become stable financially before settling down with a full time girlfriend or wife. That's what I would do if I could start over again. Women are expensive and require our time and emotional support which detracts from building a business. Unless a man finds a woman who is a partner in the business and can be trusted, men will always find themselves competing with single men in their profession who have nothing holding them back. This video is the perfect example of how relationships before wealth and stability can make or break financial futures. It's not a swipe at him, just a fact that exists and must be calculated by men when considering their financial success and future.

Good luck with your girlfriends health issues God bless, hoping your back out photographing soon

@wattswildlifephoto

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, we appreciate that 🙏