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Day to Night: In the Field with Stephen Wilkes

May 24, 2019 - August 18, 2019
04: Black-browed albatrosses and southern rockhopper penguins STEEPLE JASON, FALKLAND ISLANDS Albatrosses roost by the sea, sharing the grassy incline with penguins. While these albatrosses sit on their nests, warming and protecting their chicks, their partners soar above the ocean, swooping down to catch prey. The birds winter on the Patagonian Shelf and in estuaries in Argentina, and return to the same colony. To reach this remote location, Wilkes made his way through a phalanx of angry striated caracaras. Standing on a mound of tussac grass for a better vantage, he took 926 photos in 26 hours, using about 80 to make this image. PHOTOGRAPHED WITH PERMISSION OF THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY Photo by Stephen Wilkes/National Geographic

A photography exhibition showcasing stunning images by Stephen Wilkes that capture the passage of time. The exhibition features expansive and powerful mega-prints of captivating bird migrations, measuring roughly 7 feet tall and 12 feet wide. The prints focus on migratory species and their habitats that are under threat due to climate change and human impact, such as commercial fishing and menacing tourists. Visitors get an intimate look at: Black-browed albatrosses, Northern gannets, Sandhill cranes, and Lesser flamingos. Behind the scenes of each massive image, visitors learn about the species, the location where Wilkes photographed them, and what makes them integral to the ecosystem. Wilkes’ photography can be used as an instrument for change, inspiring solutions to help protect species and habitats that are at risk.

Exhibition Events

Sneak Peek
Thursday, May 23, 2019

Mix’d Media
Thursday, June 27, 2019

04: Black-browed albatrosses and southern rockhopper penguins STEEPLE JASON, FALKLAND ISLANDS Albatrosses roost by the sea, sharing the grassy incline with penguins. While these albatrosses sit on their nests, warming and protecting their chicks, their partners soar above the ocean, swooping down to catch prey. The birds winter on the Patagonian Shelf and in estuaries in Argentina, and return to the same colony. To reach this remote location, Wilkes made his way through a phalanx of angry striated caracaras. Standing on a mound of tussac grass for a better vantage, he took 926 photos in 26 hours, using about 80 to make this image. PHOTOGRAPHED WITH PERMISSION OF THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY Photo by Stephen Wilkes/National Geographic
Black-browed albatrosses and southern rockhopper penguins STEEPLE JASON, FALKLAND ISLANDS Albatrosses roost by the sea, sharing the grassy incline with penguins. While these albatrosses sit on their nests, warming and protecting their chicks, their partners soar above the ocean, swooping down to catch prey. The birds winter on the Patagonian Shelf and in estuaries in Argentina, and return to the same colony. To reach this remote location, Wilkes made his way through a phalanx of angry striated caracaras. Standing on a mound of tussac grass for a better vantage, he took 926 photos in 26 hours, using about 80 to make this image. PHOTOGRAPHED WITH PERMISSION OF THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY Photo by Stephen Wilkes/National Geographic
Stephen Wilkes in the Field. Photograph by Chris Janjic.
Stephen Wilkes in the Field. Photograph by Chris Janjic.
Lesser flamingos LAKE BOGORIA, KENYA The lesser flamingos of Africa’s Great Rift Valley thrive in the extreme environment of high-altitude soda lakes, feeding on algal blooms that are toxic to many other creatures. The birds are not migratory but nomadic, traveling from one lake to another, wherever food is plentiful. Wilkes shot 1,742 photos over 36 hours from a 30-foot scaffolding wrapped in camouflage, capturing the endless movements of the flamingos and the marabou storks stalking them. He chose about 30 for this image. Photo by Stephen Wilkes/National Geographic
Other Exhibits
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Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards

Through April 21, 2024

Bringing Africa to the World, and the World to Africa. What separates the Mkapa Photo Awards from other photo competitions is their core commitment to conservation through categories that are specific to topics of concern in modern Africa.

See the Exhibit
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Transformations: Wildlife in Inuit Art and Culture

Through May 5, 2024

Through cultural stories, Transformations seeks to explore Inuit history, values, and beliefs. The exhibit is comprised of works from the permanent collection and items on loan from private collections. The hope, as it is with all exhibits, is that visitors take away a deeper appreciation of the artwork and perhaps are introduced to something that they did not know before. Most importantly, we want to bring attention to the fact that today Inuit artists are producing powerful artworks that reference histories and that, at the same time, confront contemporary issues such as conservation and environmental concerns.

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What People Are Saying
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"Not only was the museum interesting, the all gender bathroom was great. Thank you for thinking about LGBTQ and disabled people!"
— Bishnu A.
"An amazing collection of paintings, sculptures, and artifacts that preserve and celebrate the beauty of the natural world and wildlife. I was thoroughly impressed!"
— Rita D.
"What an amazing and inspiring collection. A lovely way to spend time in Jackson Hole!"
— Jo A.
"I loved it and was surprised to see a section that also encouraged children to participate, probably one of the only museums that wasn't boring!"
— Mandy L.
"This place is amazing! And I absolutely love the educational considerations for young minds. "
— Charlotte C.
"Wonderful museum. Excellent restaurant - the food, waitstaff, and ambiance! "
— Eileen J.
"Enjoyed the botanical tour! The plants were all blooming, and there were birds too. "
— Ron K.
"Really enjoyed the exhibit of the Big Four!"
— J.B.