Bison

"A Secret Proposal"

Lamar Valley, Yellowstone, Wyo. Sept 2020 The hidden language between animals can be fascinating. You just have to spend the time to look for it. I spent a lot of time with this small bison herd observing them interact in the rut. Some of their interactions are quiet and subtle like this captured moment. Then without much warning it can erupt into chaos and violence as bulls challenge each other for domination.

"Love in the Rut"

Lamar Valley, Yellowstone, Wyo. Sept 2020 A Bull Bison has chosen his love for the day and followed her around relentlessly.

"Rising to Defend"

Lamar Valley, Yellowstone, Wyo. Sept 2020 After rolling in the dirt this dominant bull rises from the dust to defend his harem from an incoming contender.

"Primping for the Ladies"

Lamar Valley, Yellowstone, Wyo. Sept 2020 Urine, dirt, rub your head in it, roll in it, grunt and snort. The lady bison love it!

"Courtship"

Lamar Valley, Yellowstone, Wyo. Sept 2020 A large bull escorts a cow from his harem. Ready to defend against all challengers.

"Ready to Rumble"

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“A Courting Couple”

Lamar Valley, Yellowstone, Wyo. Sept 2020 I watched this Bison pair for nearly an hour as this bull courted his chosen one. He fended off any would be contenders as he stuck by her side continuously.

"Peace Talks"

Lamar Valley, Yellowstone, Wyo. Sept 2020 I watched these two bison fight over a harem of seven cows. A fight that lasted about 3 minutes. It was so violent I thought it might turn into a fight to the death. Dirt and sage brush flying ten feet into the air. The bison on the left finally won. A clear victory to anyone that was watching. He then guided his harem across the road but two cows stayed behind. He crossed the road again to gather the straggler cows forcibly nudging them across the road to where the others were. He stayed with the cows for several minutes. Victorious. I thought the encounter was over but then he suddenly turned, left the harem behind, and crossed the road a third time. He trotted straight to the losing bison and stopped face to face. I expected another fight however, he stared the losing bison down for 15-20 seconds, tail raised, nearly motionless. Neither bison attempted to fight. It looked like silent "Peace Talks". Then the losing bison lowered its head and turned away. The victor then returned to his prize. His harem. Dominance had been established.

"A Dusty Affair"

Lamar Valley, Yellowstone, Wyo. Sept 2020 The sights, sounds, and smells of the rut can flood your senses. The activity ebbs and flows from quiet courtship to eruptions of violence and conflict. One element that adds to the chaotic atmosphere is dust. Lots of dust can arise when the activity level is high. It comes from bulls rolling in their dirty pits mixed with urine, and from the many brutal fights that can erupt so fast. It permeates the air and adds drama to many scenes.

“Survivor”

Lamar Valley, Jan 2021 That’s the term that enters my mind when I see a Bison. A leftover from prehistoric times. Perfectly adapted to survive the long and difficult Yellowstone winters of sub freezing temperatures and feet of snow. You see them in the fields of deep snow swinging their massive heads from side to side, constantly searching for tiny morsels of dead, dry grass that sustains them. Seemingly oblivious to their harsh environment yet, perfectly in tune with the constant threats that surround them. Surviving. Living.

“Little Pie Face”

Lamar Valley, Feb 2021 I first caught a glimpse of this bison calf as I drove by a small herd of bison in the far north east part of Lamar Valley while searching for my next photo subject. It looked up quickly as I passed by and I chuckled when I first saw it’s face. I immediately turned around and went back. Luckily they were just off the road, near one of the few plowed pullouts. The wind was brutal due to funneling thru the narrow part of the valley causing a ground blizzard. The bison were all face down swinging their heads side to side, plowing the snow away in search of the dry grass below. Oblivious to the wind and blowing snow, they seldom looked up from their search. Finally, after about 20 minutes, the calf turned to face my direction. I quietly talked to it behind the camera. “Lift your head.” “Lift your head please!” It might be weird but sometimes it feels like it helps! Finally the calf looked up, shook its head in the wind, and this is what remained on its face. As I had seen earlier, the ice and snow reminded me of someone getting a whip cream pie shoved in their face after the pan falls away, leaving only the eyes and mouth visible thru the mess. I passed by the same herd a few more times that day and “Little Pie Face” still had a cold messy face.