Jackson, WY — Wildlife photographer and former Wyoming Game and Fish Department biologist Mark Gocke says his perfect day blends early‑morning wildlife encounters with the comforts of town life. He begins pre‑dawn with a vanilla latte (and sometimes a double‑chocolate‑chip muffin) from the Cowboy Coffee drive‑through before heading to Grand Teton National Park to capture sunrise over the mountains and snap birds in the soft morning light.
Quiet Wildlife Moments
Gocke loves those rare moments when he can photograph an animal with “absolutely zero other people there,” even though that “0% chance” rarely happens. He often seeks out the common loon for its striking black‑and‑white plumage and haunting call. “Once near Oxbow Bend, I was photographing a pair of loons and another loon started returning their call, and then a wolf started howling to answer their call,” he recalled.
Breakfast and a Paddle
When the sun climbs higher, Gocke heads to Signal Mountain Lodge for “killer pancakes” and bacon. After breakfast he may unload his kayak and paddle on Jackson Lake or the Snake River, enjoying the water’s calm before returning to land.
Mountain Biking with Man’s Best Friend
Back on shore, Gocke picks up his energetic dog for an afternoon trail ride. The pair frequent Game Creek, Arrow Trail near Teton Pass, and the Mike Harris Campground area, where his dog can burn off energy while Gocke captures the surrounding scenery.
Evening at a Local Favorite
As daylight fades, Gocke often dines at Calico in Wilson, praising the lasagna and declaring the spicy margarita “a must.” If the sky is still bright, he takes another drive along Moose‑Wilson Road to keep an eye out for moose and black bears.
Why Jackson Holds Him
Gocke says Jackson’s abundant wildlife and public lands are the main draw for residents, despite rising housing costs. “Where else could I bike from my door onto national forest land? That’s pretty hard to come by when you start looking around,” he said. He adds that the area offers more frequent wildlife interaction than places like Alaska, making it a photographer’s paradise.
Original reporting: Buckrail (Jackson WY) — read the source article.
