Tag Archives: bison

November 24, 2022 · 6:27 am

Texture And Color

In many articles I write for the National Parks Traveler, I stress a couple of things for capturing a great image: look for texture and look for color(s). This telephoto shot of a bison seen between Mammoth Hot Springs and the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park is an example of both color and texture. Take a look at the thick, wooly textures of the bison. And take a look at the differing shades of red-brown. When you look at a bison from a distance, you don’t necessarily see all those color gradations within its furry coat. And you know that the bison has a thick, wooly coat for the winter, but when you look at a close-up, you see the fine differences in texture, from what looks like soft undergrowth to much coarser wooliness. Even the bison horn has a certain amount of textural and color differences.

I captured this image at a turnout on the way to the Lamar Valley, testing out my previously-underused 200-600mm lens on the Sony A1. While not a prime lens, it’s a pretty decent lens for getting close to the subject.

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Filed under Photography, Wildlife, Yellowstone National Park

Tagged as 200-600mm, bison, close-up, closeup, color, National Park, photography, Sony a1, Sony Alpha, telephoto, texture, where the trails take you, wildlife, Yellowstone National Park

February 23, 2022 · 5:43 am

Reader Participation Day: What Is The “National Park Experience” To You?

*Bison In A Snowstorm At Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)*

I just returned from a winter trip to Yellowstone National Park. It was full of bucket list items I was able to check off. An amazing experience about which I’ll be writing in upcoming articles for the National Parks Traveler.

And, speaking of the Traveler, today’s edition has a Reader Participation Day article asking what the “national park experience” means to YOU. Why not go over, read the article and the questions asked, and leave a comment at the end of the article. The Traveler uses these things as pointers to what articles to next write and publish.

To read the article and leave a comment, click on the image above.

As for the image itself, it was serendipitous. I was staying at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, and got up early that morning to do photography along the Upper Geyser Basin. It was snowing, and as I approached Old Faithful, I saw a small herd of bison grazing right there. Luckily for me I’d brought along my long lens (Sony 100-400mm) and captured some iconic shots that you’ll be seeing in upcoming Traveler articles.

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Filed under National Parks, National Parks Traveler, Photography, Seasons, Travel, Travel and Photography, winter, Yellowstone National Park

Tagged as bison, buffalo, February, National Park, Old Faithful, photography, snowfall, snowstorm, Sony a1, Sony Alpha, travel, upper geyser basin, winter, Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park

November 8, 2020 · 8:05 am

National Bison Day – um, it was yesterday, November 7

Ok, I’m a little late in getting this posted – a day late, actually. Nonetheless, yesterday was National Bison Day. And, in honor of that day, the National Parks Traveler published a short aerial video about a herd of 100 bison from Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt national parks being released onto the Wolakota Buffalo Range of the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. That article also has links to other Traveler stories about bison.

To see the video and perhaps click on the links to other bison-related articles in the Traveler, click on the top image.

The images above were captured during a visit to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. I was actually on my way out, but before I reached the park entrance/exit booths, I saw a small herd of bison on either side of the road. I parked in a pullout and drew out my Canon and 100-400mm lens to capture some shots of the bison and the tussle (and subsequent detente) between two male bison.

Here’s an interesting thing about the bison located on the North Rim: these particular animals are a result of an experiment at crossbreeding cattle with bison by a man named “Buffalo Jones.” Mr. Jones wanted to cross the two species to create a hardier breed that could withstand the cold and snowy winters of the Plains. Didn’t really work. The small herd made its way to the North Rim, and, if you ever see any during your own North Rim visit, look at them closely (without getting close to them, if you get my meaning) and see if you don’t spot a few that look “cow-ish” and maybe have white faces.

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Filed under 1DX Mk II, Canon, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM, Canon Lens, Grand Canyon National Park, National Bison Day, National Parks, National Parks Traveler, North Rim, Photography

Tagged as 100-400mm, bison, Canon, National Bison Day, National Parks Traveler, photography

February 2, 2020 · 10:27 am

Scenic Science In The National Parks, And Some Bison Management

I just finished listening to the National Parks Traveler’s Podcast Episode #51. Loved it! I had the book on pre-order already and am really excited about reading it when it becomes available. And of course, I love bison. If I didn’t think the hummingbird was my spirit animal, I would think bison were. Anyway, if you like wildlife, botany, geology, or bison, you should give this podcast a listen.

Just click on the image to be taken to the podcast site

As for this image, it was taken during my atumn trip to Yellowstone National Park. It’s what I first beheld when approaching Porcelain Basin, within the Norris Basin area. Those two steamers there are, I believe, Black Growler Steam Vent and Ledge Geyser. Correct me if I am wrong. I was looking at a map of the area and they seem to be in the same position as the two named entities.

For all that autumn is a less-visited time (relatively speaking) for Yellowstone, this particular area was pretty crowded, mainly with tour buses. So I had to stand there a bit in order to get a clear, non-peopled shot. That gorgeous turquoise water makes me think of glacier-fed waters, but in reality, these waters are hot and would literally skin you alive if you dipped a toe in them because they are so caustic.

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Filed under Canon, National Parks, National Parks Traveler, Photography, Podcast, Travel

Tagged as bison, botany, geology, National Park, national parks, National Parks Traveler, photography, Podcast, science, travel, wildlife

January 8, 2020 · 9:43 am

A Home Where The Buffalo Roam

It’s pretty cool when we see bison roaming the landscapes of Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, and they sure make for great photo ops. Now, Montana officials are going to allow wild bison back in the state, but they want more study done as to where they are going to be allowed to roam, according to an article published in today’s edition of the National Parks Traveler.

To read the article, click on either of the images above.

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Filed under 1DX Mk II, Canon, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM, Canon Lens, Grand Teton National Park, National Parks, National Parks Traveler, Photography, Travel, Yellowstone National Park

Tagged as bison, buffalo, Canon, Montana, National Parks Traveler, photography, wildlife

November 20, 2019 · 9:12 am

Bison Can Control Yellowstone’s Green-Up In The Spring

Think of bison as “ecological engineers.” According to an article in the National Parks Traveler, they had control in many parts of the green-up of spring in Yellowstone National Park.

To read the article, click on the image above.

Woulda/coulda/shoulda spent more time photographing bison during my October trip to Yellowstone. Next time, I will!

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Filed under National Parks, National Parks Traveler, Photography, Travel, Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park

Tagged as bison, buffalo, Canon, mountains, National Park, National Parks Traveler, photography, travel, ungulate, where the trails take you, Wyom, Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park