Stoat at Yellowstone

Yellowstone's volcanic plateau, straddling Wyoming and reaching into Montana and Idaho, offers photographers a rare chance to track stoats against a dramatic geothermal backdrop. February visits, timed with the Winter Wildlife of Yellowstone holiday, bring the added advantage of snow cover that makes these agile mustelids easier to spot as they move through the landscape. Patience is key, as stoats are quick and often fleeting subjects, but the park's open winter terrain rewards a well-positioned lens. This is a destination best explored with a long telephoto and warm layers, ready for whatever the geothermal winter world reveals.