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.
American Bison: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — We were pulled off the road, photographing an active herd of Bison in a little dip in the hills below the road, when we turned to find this bull on the ridge behind us, and uncomfortably close. He had snuck up on as he came down off the plateau behind. The slope between us on the road and him on the ridge was steep enough so we were not worried he would come down on us…he would have to turn either left or right to find a path down to the road, and eventually did that. But not before giving us a great view. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.