Each year in Yellowstone National Park and immediate environs, bison execute a cyclical migration between the lower valleys in winter and the high valleys in spring. Driving eastward from the west entrance from mid-to-late May along the Madison River, you become part of this journey because the Buffalo frequently travel along the same road. The image above, of two bison cows and their calves (count legs) was recorded at 18:30 MDT on May 16, 2010, using the Nikon D3s and the AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED lens at 240mm. Exposure was f/8.0 and 1/500s, ISO 1600. Handheld. Small herds of migrating buffalo will walk on the road surface (Highway 20/191/287, same highway with various designations) for significant distances, e.g., up to 0.5 miles, which can block both lanes of traffic for 20 minutes or more. These animals are the largest terrestrial creatures on the continent (bull bison can weigh over a ton), so it makes sense for them to take the the more efficient route (road) whenever possible.
The migrating bison superficially appear quite peaceful, but minor confrontations often occur. The two animals shown above had a disagreement over the ownership of a particularly lush section of graze. The interloper, left, lost his resolve rather easily. The image above was recorded at 19:00 MDT, using the D3s and the 200-400mm lens at 400mm. Exposure was f/8 and /1000s (+0.33 EV), ISO 1600.
The bison cows are remarkably attentive towards the calves, and while cow and calf are never parted for long, the herd also appears to engage in community protective behavior. The image above was recorded at abut 19:00 MDT using the D3s and the 200-400mm lens at 400mm. Exposure was f/8 and 1/1000s, ISO 1600.
The calves are normally happy to quietly skittle along beside the herd, but occasionally, without any apparent motivation, they will burst into a fit of rambunctious energy and go tearing around and through the herd. A calf that has taken up this antic will carry on as such for several minutes. I suspect that the elder bison find this sort of stuff to be undignified, if not outright annoying, but for the human it is genuinely entertaining. Image above recorded at 19:00 MDT with photographical parameters as described above. Cropped.
Of course this entry would not be complete without a close-up cute baby animal photograph. I hope the image below fits the bill.
Copyright 2010 Peter F. Flynn. No usage permitted without prior written consent. All rights reserved.
