Sometimes Tim O’Leary forgets he’s retired. Luckily his wife of nearly 50 years is there to remind him to stop thinking he has work to do and get the truck warmed up for an adventure.

Tim and Peggy are a team. He has an artist’s eye and she keeps the truck on the road. Sometimes he doesn’t want to get out of bed. She wheedles him awake to check his gear and get ready for a long drive. She’s also there to spot wildlife.

“She spots 80% of what I shoot when it comes to wildlife,” Tim said.

She also keeps him safe. When his eyes wander from the road to a grizzly bear, elk or other wildlife near their path, she’s there to remind him to keep the tires on the road.

“That’s the one thing that’s so hard when we’re traveling is that Tim’s eyes wander and I’m like, ‘whoa, watch the road,’” she said, pointing out that keeping him safe isn’t why she goes. “It’s just really fun to see him enjoying his life and doing what he loves.”

The Cody resident has had a love affair with nature photography since meeting National Geographic photojournalist William Albert Allard in the 70s. He watched Allard photograph traditional branding on the ranch Tim worked on during the 70s.

“I got to know him, hanging out and watching what he was doing, and then seeing the book published,” he said.

One thing Allard said has stuck with him all these years.

“If you want to set yourself above the others, you got to have passion,” he said.

Allard became Tim’s first photographic mentor over those two summers, but Tim had a long career ahead of him, ending as the chief financial officer of Blair Hotels
before he started taking his art seriously. After retirement there was yet another mentor eager to help; this time noted Pinedale nature photographer Dave Bell.

“He saw some talent in me, and really encouraged me to get serious,” Tim said.

He geared up and, together with Peggy, he started making memorable images of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and its long list of wondrous wildlife. Eventually Bell decided to create a new book, “Yellowstone: Historic Locations, Historic Quotations,” featuring his photographs. He asked Tim to join him in the project, eventually giving him cover credit when it was published earlier this year.

The coffee table book uses quotes from presidents, park superintendents, early explorers, early photographers and celebrities.

“I take a lot of pride in what I do and I won’t publish anything on social media or in a calendar that isn’t top notch. I mean, if it’s not really, really good, it just doesn’t make the cut,” Tim said.

His photographs show not only his technical skills, but his love for his home for the past three-plus decades. His favorite species is elk.

“I really like seeing elk, and I’ve become intrigued with the great gray owl, just because they’re so magnificent, quiet and how those massive birds maneuver through the trees. They’re impressive,” he said.

He has spent thousands of hours on the road searching for photos during the best light of the day. It’s sometimes frustrating to find the right mix of magnificent individuals and the right light. He’s been fortunate to meet landowners who give him access to private land.

Once in the perfect habitat, Tim is like most area hunters; he learns as much as he can about habitat and uses spot and stalk techniques to get close. However, unlike hunting where shots can be taken from 300 yards and beyond, even the top lenses require getting closer. A hundred yards is about the maximum distance you can be from wildlife to get a printable photograph that passes the quality test he requires to turn the digital image into art.

Often photographers attempt to turn their passion into a business. But Tim rarely sells a print and has turned down opportunities to make a little cash to pay for gas and equipment costs. It’s enough for him to know there are fabulous nature photos available around every corner of northwest Wyoming and that he will be traveling with Peggy, his high school sweetheart and dear wife.

They have spent the past 52 years together, including first dating in their junior years, and it would be rare to see them going anywhere without the other.

“We’re so fortunate to live where we do,” Peggy said. “We’re 50 miles from the East Gate; how lucky are we? And the North Fork is amazing for wildlife, too.”

“She is my secret to success,” Tim said.

To see more of O’Leary’s photos:
2-tim-oleary.pixels.com/

For Bell and O’Leary’s recent book:
wyomingmountainphotography.com/books/