Montana Farmers, Camelina Seed, and Conservation Photography: Crafting Stories That Matter
Calumet Refinery in Great Falls, Montana. The “legacy” side of the plant where asphalt is produced starts about in the center (where the brightly lit towers stand) and extends to the right. The newer, modern “bio” side is left of the center. All the raw material arrives in tanker cars and is processed onsite. Once it is refined, it’s pumped back onto rail cars and heads to distant distribution centers. Photo By: Tony Bynum - contact Tony Bynum for licensing. Copyrighted material, no use is authorized without a license. All Rights Reserved.
Montana has vast landscapes, industrious farmers, and an evolving energy landscape. In the heart of it all lies Great Falls, a city steeped in tradition yet poised to lead the way toward modern, alternative energy solutions. It’s where conservation photography, agriculture, and innovative ventures like biofuel additives intersect to tell powerful stories.
The full story can be read in the Spring 2025 issue of Montana Quarterly Magazine. Inside that same issue, you will find photography from Tony Bynum, Thomas Lee, Donald M. Jones, stories by Eric Heidle, Tom Murphy, and Alan Kesselheim, along with some beautiful illustrations by Monte L. Hulbert. Publisher and Editor in Chief, Scott McMillion, provides his “Two Cents” that opens a deeper discussion about the federal government, and cuts to federal initiatives important to Montanans. I recommend you subscribe, it’s the best Montana storytelling in print! https://www.themontanaquarterly.com/
The Future of Jet Fuel: Montana Farmers and Camelina Seed
Isabel Hicks, in her compelling story featured in Montana Quarterly Magazine, sheds light on Montana farmers' pivotal role in shaping the future of aviation biofuels. Camelina seed, a hardy oilseed crop well-suited to Montana's climate and soils, has emerged as a key plant in the push for jet fuel additives. As farmers begin to cultivate camelina, they are not only preserving the land. Still, they are also creating pathways for eco-conscious innovation in an arid landscape suited, they hope, to the demands of a potentially lucrative crop.
In this movement, legacy institutions like Calumet, an oil refinery in Great Falls, have shifted focus to embrace alternatives. Calumet’s work on producing alternative jet fuel additives from camelina seed exemplifies the potential for collaboration between agriculture and industry to benefit both the environment and the economy.
Calumet refinery along the Missouri River, in Great Falls, Montana. Photo by: Tony Bynum Photography. Contact Tony Bynum for licensing. All rights reserved.
Conservation Photography: Capturing Stories That Matter
As a conservation and commercial outdoor photographer, I view stories like Hicks’ as opportunities to connect deeply with subjects that matter. Conservation photography goes beyond beautiful imagery—it’s about crafting visuals that amplify critical narratives, advocate for sustainable practices, and inspire change.
When photographing projects like this, that include legacy producers like Calumet and Montana Sustainable Oils, the care and intent behind every image matter. The best stories emerge when you truly care about the subject. From planning shoots to collaborating with writers, the process becomes more meaningful when you’re invested in the story you aim to tell.
Photographers have a unique ability to bridge the gap between human experience and environmental advocacy. By documenting conservation stories, we can show the grit and dedication behind sustainable agriculture and spotlight their contributions to alternative energy solutions.
Left to right, Mark Denis and Steve Poscik pictured at the Calumet Refinery in Great Falls, Montana. Photo by: Tony Bynum Photography. Contact Tony Bynum for licensing. All rights reserved.
A Collaboration of Craft and Care
Natural resource-centered stories allow photographers to learn while they create. They challenge us to adapt our vision, absorb new knowledge, and translate complex subjects into accessible, engaging imagery. Working with writers like Isabel Hicks and alongside refineries, and researchers highlights the importance of partnerships in storytelling.
Montana farmers stand at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, championing practices that harmonize with the land while driving solutions for a cleaner future. As conservation photographers, we have the privilege and responsibility to document their journeys carefully, ensuring that these stories inspire change and resonate for future generations.
Let’s celebrate Great Falls, Montana—the epicenter of dynamic energy evolution—and the power of photography to amplify the stories that matter most. Whether you’re a farmer sowing camelina seeds or a photographer capturing the soul of these efforts, your work contributes to a greater narrative about sustainability, community, and the beauty of shared passion.
Wild Wings - Waterfowl at Freezeout Lake Wildlife Managment Area.
When National Public Radio contacted me about photographing the “Wild Wings” festival for a story about Freezeout Lake Wildlife Management Area and the festival, I couldn’t say yes fast enough. I know the area well and greatly admire Maggie Car, the founder of the Wild Wings event. For the complete story and photos, use this link: https://www.npr.org/2025/03/24/nx-s1-5333842/montanas-skies-come-alive-with-spring-bird-migration.
Pintail Ducks flying off a small pond at Freezeout Lake Wildlife Management Area, near Choteau, Monana. Photo By: Tony Bynum Photography - all rights reserved.
Tony Bynum - Montana Photographer - Big Stories through his lens
Montana Photographer Tony Bynum at work, photographing a fly fishing guide and outfitter on Montana’s Missouri River.
Tony Bynum - Montana Based Photographer
Outdoor photographer, commercial outdoor advertising, conservation, political campaign, nature photographer.
“Don’t just love something, do something for it.”
Tony Bynum - Montana Photographer
“This Lens Tells Big Stories.” A short video describing one of Tony’s photographic passions. Human stories in big places. This video takes place in Tony’s home state of Montana on the world-famous, blue-ribbon trout stream, the Missouri River.
Tony is photographing local guide and outfitter, Alger Swingly. Alger is a member of the Blackfeet Tribe and operates, Blackfeet Outfitters. Alger is a licensed Montana Outfitter.
This short feature was produced in partnership with SmugMug, a first-class online photography website for sharing, storing, and delivering photographs.
Tony Bynum - Montana Conservation Photography - Interview
Historically, policies and perceptions were changed by photographs, but that’s not enough. It combines a business and a service with intent. I intend to help things, not make things worse, dilapidated, or go backwards.
A herd bull elk with his harem in a recent burn. © Tony Bynum
Tony Bynum, the Montana-based Conservation Photographer, was please to talk to Wild Montana’s new Communications Director about conservation and conservation photography. Read the full interview with Tony Bynum and Sarah Ryan of Wild Montana (formerly Montana Wilderness Association) at the Tony Bynum Interview link below.
Tony Bynum - Montana Photographer - Helena IR story by: Tom Kuglin
Tony Bynum - photo courtesy of Rod Sinclair
Tony Bynum - Montana-based Photographer interview
Tom Kuglin and Thom Bridge of the Helen Independent Journal kindly spent a few hours with me at my home. We discussed photography, life, art, and conservation. Read the entire article and listen to our discussion on Thom’s podcast.
Snap a picture of the qr code below, or click on it to go to the full story.
Greater Sage-Grouse the Sagehen
Photographs and video of the Greater Sage Grouse on a lek in Central Montana. © Tony Bynum
Two male sage grouse fighting for dominance over the lek. © Tony Bynum
The Greater Sage-Grouse is the largest grouse species in North America. The Sage-Grouse occupies the arid, sagebrush prairies from southeast Alberta and southern Saskatchewan, Canada, south through Montana, Wyoming, northern Nevada, northern Utah, southern Idaho, and western Colorado. The video below is a short clip of the real live action you can expect to see on a sage grouse lek during the spring.
Sage Grouse are shy and do not like to be disturbed while on the Lek. for the following video and photographs, Tony Bynum was carefully camouflaged inside a “hide” or “blind.” Movements from humans or even other animals like coyotes or antelope can scare the birds off their lek. Tony enters the blind the night before the morning of the shoot and does not move the blind until the birds have completely left the lek. The blind is placed so as to not disrupt the lek area and the natural breeding of the birds.
A typical greater sage grouse lek with several males and a couple of females. The males will strut on the lek to gain the attention of the female. After mating the females fly away to build a nest. © Tony Bynum
A fully plumed male Greater Sage Grouse displays his pin feathers, and gular sacs duging the spring mating season. This bird was photographed from a blind, in central Montana. The large white “bag” that looks like a neck collar is called a gular sac. © Tony Bynum
From the back side of the Greater Sage Grouse the pin feathers are beautiful and unique. The males will slowly lose some of the feathers during the mating season due to the aggressive nature of the fights. Other males work to pluck the tail feathers while protecting their own. © Tony Bynum
Male Greater Sage Grouse with its gular sacs inflated. The male sage grouse “struts” on the lek to attract the females. There is a single female right of male in this photograph. © Tony Bynum
Male Greater Sage Grouse with its gular sacs inflated. © Tony Bynum
A male Sage Grouse stutting on a Lek in Central Montana. © Tony Bynum
A male greater sage grouse struts on a lek trying to attract females, in Central Montana. © Tony Bynum
The warm sun lights of the unique and stunning tail feathers, called “pin” feathers, and gular sac of the male greater sage grouse. © Tony Bynum
A tired warrior male greater sage grouse gets a rest after a fight. © Tony Bynum
Male greater sage grouse often spend a great deal of time paying attention to each other while strutting on the Lek. © Tony Bynum
Male Greater Sage Grouse with its gular sacs inflated try’s to get the attention of the female, left. © Tony Bynum
Two male greater sage grouse work to get the attention of a female. The one that the female likes the most will mate. © Tony Bynum
A pair of male greater sage grouse prepare to fight. © Tony Bynum
Two male greater sage grouse size each other up. Males are very aggressive and territorial while on the lek. Whichever male can get the attention, and hold it, of the females will get to mate. Research shows that a single dominate male will breed about 80% of the females on a single lek. © Tony Bynum
Two male greater sage grouse fighting on the lek in Central Montana. © Tony Bynum
Two male sage grouse fight on a lek in central Montana. © Tony Bynum
A single female greater sage grouse on the lek. © Tony Bynum
A male greater sage grouse is selected by the female after which mating can commence. © Tony Bynum
A male sage grouse fly’s from the lek soon after the sun rises. He will return in the evening or later the next morning. Sage grouse begin showing up on the lek in late February and early April in Montana. © Tony Bynum
The best all around headlamp - Fenix HM65R Rechargeable Headlamp
I replaced my go-to light with the Fenix HM65R - here’s why.
I’ve tried them all, The Fenix HM65R headlamp stands out as the best among it’s competition.
I’m just going to jump right in and tell you, after using this light for three months, I replaced my go-to headlamp with the Fenix HM65R.
Why? Because every time I needed a headlamp I wished I had the Fenix HM65R. It just works in every situation I have had that needed light.
The headlamp world is full of options but the Fenix HM65R is truly impressive and a step above the competition. From the fit and feel to its function, it’s a worthy device. Fenix did what no other headlamp maker has been able to do, make a headlamp that does everything well.
While the price may seem a little high, MSRP is $94.95 it’s worth it (I’ll provide a link to where you can get one cheaper). So, while it is a tad more expensive than most, what it offers justifies the cost.
Consider also how much people (maybe even you) spend on a Patagonia hat, a Yeti tumbler or water bottle, a North Face parka, and camo hunting clothes from Sitka gear, a headlamp (arguably more important than any of those items) that does it all for under $100, is okay with me.
Headlamps are a must!
One of the most indispensable items in all of my bags is a headlamp. Since my first mountaineering expedition back in the late ’80s, I’ve probably tried at least one headlamp from every popular brand. Black Diamond, Prince Tech, Energizer, Petzl, Torch, Rayovac, you name it, I own it or have tried it.
I use headlamps for everything from hiking, cooking outdoors, even at home when it’s dark outside - we have lots of short days during the long northern Montana winters - to hiking to my favorite photography spot, to working under the house, and finding items in my camera bags/boxes. A good, high-quality headlamp is one of the most important products I own. I do not travel without one!
I used this light for 3 months before I completed this review. My commitment to you is to make sure the products I write about are sound meet my standards, do what it claims, and are reliable - that takes time.
Fenix HM65R
Cameron sent me the Fenix HM65R, it’s the top end of Fenix offerings. Super bright, waterproof, drop-proof, super-bright, rechargeable, or disposable battery-operated, and super bright when needed. I say when needed because it can operate pretty dim if that’s your pleasure.
Not too long ago, I would not go to the mountains with a rechargeable anything, let alone a headlamp. But Fenix changed that. This Fenix HM65R rechargeable light is ready for prime time.
I suppose as technology changes so do I, especially with products like this. I think battery technology and LED lights are the keys.
Two buttons on the top of the light operate the two independent lights. One is for beam the other is for flood. The light uses a usb type 3 port and the blue lights indicate charging capacity.
Over the past year, I’ve been carrying a Mophie Powerstation Pro battery with me. I can use it to charge my phone, a camera, and now a headlamp! In other words, recharging is no longer a risk or deficit in the backcountry. The Fenix light uses the new USB type 3 connection.
Lumen output: max 1400 lumens; floodlight to 16 m, spotlight to 75 m
Rechargeable: Micro-USB hosing a 3500 mAh Fenix 3.6v 12.6Wh battery
Burn time: 40 hours on low, 3.5 hours on high
Weight: 3.4 oz.
Pros
Can be recharged, or replace the rechargeable battery with 2 x CR123 batteries. Recharges with a USB C. This is genius.
Bright!
Dual Beam (wide and focused bean)
Durable
Waterproof
Cons
A bit bulky
Have to wear your hat backward, but Fenix now has the same light with a different headband style.
Weight can be an issue if you’re going ultra-light but for a light in this category, it’s perfect.
Buttons are a little challenging to operate with bulky gloves on
Now sure how it holds up in super cold weather.
I would 100% recommend this light to a friend, and yes, this light found a permanent place in my camera box and pack.
Where to buy it.
MSRP
$95 - but you can get 20% off. Here is where you can buy the Fenix HM65R headlamp.
This is not a paid endorsement
Just so we’re clear, this is not a paid endorsement. When I receive products to try, I always offer to return them when I’m done - whether I like the product or not. There is never a financial incentive for me to suggest you buy something. I always tell those who ask me for a review that I only tell the truth. My policy is that if I don't like something I won't write about it, but I also will only ever tell the truth about a product when asked.
On the other hand, if I like it, I’ll shout it from the bleachers.
Who needs a Commercial Film Permit in a National Park - Still Depends
Filmmaker and producer Tom Opre films a hunting scene in central Montana. Tony Bynum Photography
Commercial Film Permits in National Parks and other Public Lands. Tom Opre Filmmaker. Tony Bynum Photography
Who needs a commercial film permit in a National Park? Well, for now, no one, concludes one federal judge, and now the National Park Service (NPS). As of February 11, 2021, the NPS website (confirmed by me in a message left on my phone by a representative of the NPS) no one needs a permit.
As of January 22, 2021, the National Park Service is no longer collecting application or location fees, or cost recovery for filming. NPS Website (confirmed by the NPS in a message left on my phone on February 11, 2021).
Remarkably, as of today, the NPS is NOT issuing or even asking for you to fill out a permit application. Wow. I’ll say it again, Wow!
Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly Rulling
Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia declared that the statute and enacting regulations that require those engaged in “commercial filming” to obtain permits and pay certain fees are unconstitutional. The court also found that the permit rules restrict speech in public forums, including the many National Park locations that are already considered traditional public forums such as the National Mall. The court found that the rules were content-based restrictions on speech, subject to strict scrutiny. Likewise, she found, the regulations and underlying reasons offered by the government—namely obtaining a “fair market” payment on top of any administrative costs—do not meet that scrutiny. “The government may not impose a charge for the enjoyment of a right granted by the federal constitution, including the First Amendment right to free expression.” Judge Kollar-Kotelly wrote.
"Mr. Price’s filmmaking at these parks constitutes a form of expressive speech protected by the First Amendment," she writes in the opinion, adding "the creation of a film must also fall within the ambit of the First Amendment’s protection of freedom of expression. To find otherwise, would artificially disconnect an integral piece of the expressive process of filmmaking."
The Judge said that her ruling applies to National Wildlife Areas and public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Her final statement leaves room for a new permit and fee system possibly based on other criteria.
In issuing this injunction, the Court observes that a more targeted permitting regime for commercial filming, which is more closely connected to the threat posed by large groups and heavy filming equipment, may pass constitutional muster in the future.
You can the entire decision here: Judge rules film bill unconstitutional.
How does this apply to the Department of Agriculture - Forest Service?
This is a hard question to answer directly. I can tell you that after my recent call with a Forest Service supervisor they told me “we’re looking into it, and are not sure how it’s going to affect our permit program.” My guess is that the USFS special use permit program WILL be affected and will be reworked.
What NOW?
Going forward:
I recommend anyone engaged in commercial filming call their local park service, BLM or National Fish and Wildlife Service office for the latest. I suspect at some point there will be a new permit system for commercial filming in National Parks and other federal public lands.
I also recommend that if you’re planning a shoot on Department of Interior lands (BLM, NPS, FWS), you do your level best to follow all other rules and regulations. I would avoid filming in popular/busy locations and I would do everything I could to avoid displacing wildlife, other people, damaging any resources, and absolutely DO not trespass!
Call your senator and representative and tell them you heard about the ruling and you would like to know what they plan to do. Ask them to please look into it, and better,
I can’t tell you what to do if you have content already in the can that you captured without a permit.
Current Film Permit Podcast - Tony Bynum and Brian Call a.k.a, “Gritty.”
Tony Bynum and Brian Call discuss Filming on federal Public lands and the recent federal judge’s ruling that current film permits and fees are unconstitutional and issued an injunction.
Other sources
The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) has been leading the legal charge on changing the federal permit program. I found its article helpful and interesting to read. And the Kurt Repansheck over at the National Parks Traveler sight did a great write up as well.