Posts in Category: American Bison
Yellowstone! Last of the red dogs
American Bison: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — Now that I am back from Costa Rica, it is time to finish up the photos I took in Yellowstone in October. We were there just in time to see the last Red Dogs of the season…calves born late and still in their reddish-brown coats. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Roadside Bison
American Bison: Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — On our first several visits to the Hayden Valley we saw none of the usual Bison. They were evidently still up high. On this swing through the valley though we saw numbers, and by the next day there were herds all along the river. This bison was right beside the road. These shots are at 178 and 444mm equivalents…so you can only imagine how close. Shot out the open window of the car, of course. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 as above. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Sisters
American Bison: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — Two bison moving along side by side makes a good portrait. They are massive animals and it is hard to appreciate the scale in a photo. I would have had to zoom out to 300mm to fit these in the frame. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Bison bugle
American Bison: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — You have to be aware all the time when photographing Bison from the Lamar Valley road that there are, very possibly, bison behind you, just over the ridge where you can’t see them…and that they will sneak up on you when they are ready to cross the road to the rest of the herd. This bull bison had his harem behind us, but fortunately was in a challenging mood, and sounded off as soon as the herd, and its rival bulls, came in sight. He was still pretty close already when we turned. He did lead his harem across the road, and it looked for a few moments like we were going to see two dominant bulls go head to head…but nothing came of it…there is lots of space on either side of the Lamar road, for as many bulls as you might like to see. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds in flight and action modifications (just because that is how the camera was set from a sequence of head butting young bulls across the road). Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Butting bison
American Bison: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — The rut was really over by the time we got to Yellowstone, but there was still some rutting behavior among the young bulls. Just play but fun to watch. Head butting is part of the dominance ritual, and helps the herd to know who is boss. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds in flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.
Yellowstone! A little Bison rolling action
American Bison: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — We found a particularly active and even feisty herd of Bison beside the road in the Lamar Valley. Dust bathing, or dust rolling, is a common behavior among Bison. It combats ticks and other insects that would otherwise make their home on the Bison’s hide. It can look pretty odd and the bison get into all kinds of contortions doing it. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di iii at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.
Yellowstone! Bison Jam
American Bison: Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Bison Jams are common in the Lamar Valley. When the Bison are ready to cross the road, they cross the road, and, if you have any sense, you stop and let them do it. Photographers pull off and attempt photos. Generally it all goes well and no bison or photographers are harmed before the jam breaks up. The first against the trees was taken from the back seat, through the windshield. 🙂 Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! I like your pheromones
American Bison: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — As I mentioned yesterday, the rut was really just about over when we visited Yellowstone in late September, early October, but evidently a few cows were still receptive. When there were any in a herd, it increased the overall activity in the herd enough to notice. And there was some of this pheromone sniffing going on. I thought we might get to see some actual mating…but no…not this day. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Feeling his oats
American Bison: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Bison are mostly placid animals, even the bulls, but during rutting season you can catch some action. Rut was mostly past in the Lamar Valley when we got there, but this bull had apparently not gotten the memo. He was actively defending what appeared to be a still receptive cow. A bull from an adjacent group was showing interest. He was having none of that! I would not want to see this fellow coming for me. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Bison in the landscape
It is impossible to separate the landscape of Yellowstone from its wildlife…a pretty obvious statement when you get to think about it…but one that grows on you the longer your visit is, and the more thoughtfully you view the world. The Bison were made for these hills and high plateaus, meandering rivers and steams, and yes, even the hot springs and geysers, and the landscape was made for them. And they live in a simple balance and a harmony that is just as it ought to be…or as close as we will let it be in our way too complicated world. Sony a5100 with Sony E 10-18 f4 wide angle zoom at 27mm equivalent, and Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 123mm equivalent. Superior Auto and Program Mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.