With the Bison designated the National Mammal of the United States and the Centennial Celebration of the National Park Service occurring this summer, I was reminded of the photos I took of these majestic wild animals during our trips through the Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.
I took the above photo on a winter trip to Yellowstone with a group of friends. We toured in Snow Cats. Occasionally the driver would open the top hatch and let those of us who wanted to see all around and take photos stick our heads out with our cameras. This magnificent animal wandered into our view and tilted his head perfectly for me to get this shot with my long lens.
During the same trip, we found the Bison coming down to the geyser area in the winter to enjoy the warmth of the fumerols and get under the snow more easily to get to the grasses to eat. We were warned to stay back if they were crossing the trails we were walking on around the geyser basin area.
Below: We took a fall trip to the Grand Teton National Park. A friend, who lived in the area and was a retired tour guide, wanted to show us the wildlife, their habitats and movement during the very early morning hours. At about 6:30am, we came across this herd of Bison on the move as they began their day.
It is always a thrill to be able to photograph the wild friends who share our planet with us. I was excited to find out this majestic beast, which was so much a part of our national history, is being recognized as our National Mammal.
Because I grew up in Nebraska on a farm with an area still prairie grass, that my Dad had the cattle graze upon near our creek, I always imagined great bison running on our land of rolling hills in the eastern part of the state. Before we moved to CA was my first encounter with a live buffalo as we kids called them. Dad took the family to an Indian town and a preserve was nearby that tourists could drive through. No AC. Windows open. One wandered close to our car. Mom quickly rolled up her window and told Dad she did NOT like them so close! They could knock over our car!!! When Curt and I were in Custers State Park we had bison wander right up to my side of the car. I knew then how my mom felt!! Their heads are huge!! I felt vulnerable. And I’m amazed the Indians ever downed one with simply bows and arrows. Their enormity up close is profound. And magnificent. A symbol of my Dad for he forever took a liking to reading about bison. And would have been thrilled to know the great bison that you captured so perfectly in these photos has been officially named America’s Mammal. Your up close photograph is unusual because the bison is in full winter coat. Beautiful photos.
Thanks so much Gwen for sharing your memories of these great animals. When we were on the fall trip, we stopped at a museum that told the stories of the relationship between the Indians and their Buffalos and how they were able to kill them. The stories were amazing. We were in Yellowstone, where I took the close-up (with a long lens) in the winter, when the Bison moved down to Firehole Basin so the hot geysers and hot pools could warm them up and melt the snow for easier feeding. That brought them much closer to us.