Bison in Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park this year is 140 years old. And is the home of the largest land animal in North America, The Bison.  Yellowstone is the only place in the lower 48 states to have a continuous free-ranging bison's and population since prehistoric times.  By 1902 approaches that reduce the Yellowstone's small herd to about two dozen animals, the U.S. Army who administered Yellowstone, at that time protected these bisons.  Utilizing bisons from private herds the native herd was augmented.  The herds in Yellowstone average more than 3000 who roam the grasslands of Yellowstone National Park.  In the summer, the bisons of found in the grasslands of the park, especially in the Hayden and Lamar valleys.  In the winter.  They are found in the hydro-thermal areas and along the Madison River.
As you drive along the roads in Yellowstone, you need to keep your eyes open for the bison, as they can suddenly appear and cross the road.  While I was in Yellowstone recently, we had a number of stoppages due to bison crossing the road.

Photographing the Bison from in the Van

One of the more interesting aspects that I observed were bull bisons fighting.  These were probably young males, learning how to fight, rather than bull seeking out females.  The rut season for bison usually occur in late July and August.

Despite being the largest land animal in North America, bison a very agile and quick and are capable of reaching speeds and exits at 30 mph.  Every year bisons to injure park visitors who approach to closely.  The regulations of the park state that you should be at least 25 yards away from bison, elk and other animals.
This bull bison crossed from the other side of the gully and up toward us, while will were photographing it and started to give us "an evil eye", we all return to our van very quickly.

Calves are born, usually in late April and May.  They usually have a cinnamon-colored coat which is shared and about two months.  We did find some younger calf's with the cinnamon-colored coat even into September
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Cows, calves and some younger bulls usually comprise a herd.  Mature bulls will spend most of the year alone or with other bulls.

More Utah Critters

This will be my last blog about my Utah trip.  Again, I wish to thank Natures Photo Adventures and Rob Palmer for a most enjoyable workshop.  I am planning again to return next year and to stay a little longer to travel to some of the locations in the area that I know about to photograph not only the scenes, but also the wildlife.
In this blog will be just photographs of some of the other animals and birds that I saw on this trip
American Bison:
Here the bison is being visited by European starlings

Bison in the Snow

Pronghorn:
Although these animals are known as pronghorn antelope, they are not related tothe true antelopes of the old world.

 The Pronghorn starting running toward our car and we thought it was attacking us, but was chasing another Pronghorn that was on the other side of the road.

There are also Mule Deer present in the area, I did observe one but was unable to take a photograph because a  truck came up the road and scared it.

Since the weather was warm, a number of the birds thought it was Spring, and were starting to sing. Among these, were the Western Meadowlark and the Red-winged Blackbird.



Horned Larks were also. If you look at the picture, you can see why they are called Horned Larks


Here are some of the other bird that were present in the area

California Gull

Ring-necked Pheasant

Black-billed Magpie

Ring-billed Gull Catching a Fish

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Antelope Island State Park

Pronghorn on the Ridge

American Bison

Antelope Island State Park is located in the Great Salt Lake and is the largest island in the lake.  Located on the island are free-roaming herds of bison, bighorn sheep, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope.  The bison were introduced to the island in 1893 and became the foundation for the present day herd of between 500 to 700 animals.  Depending on the month and season that you visit, you're viewing opportunities for wildlife will vary.
Antelope Island is reached by driving over a Causeway from Syracuse, Utah.  We found that the Causeway was an excellent location to view and photograph raptors.  In order to photograph the raptors, you have to photograph them from your car, by pulling over to the side of the road, and utilizing a support on the window for your camera and lens.  People use beanbags, I utilize a Puffin Pad for support for my equipment.

Looking Across the Great Salt Lake at the Mountains from Antelope Island
With Bison in the Meadow

History of the island showed that prehistoric people were living on the island more than 6000 years ago.  John C Fremont and Kit Carson is that explored the antelope Island in 1845, and they named it.  Antelope Island, after observing pronghorn antelope's grazing.  Fielding, Garr established a ranch on the island in 1848 and the ranch house is still standing on its existing foundation.,

Island Scenic

Island Scenic

Island Scenic

Island Scenic

The rock formations on the island are beautiful to behold. It's some of the rocks are covered with the Moss and lichen and will definitely be part of my next trip to photograph them in either early morning or late afternoon light.
The last afternoon that we were on the island it started to snow and the pictures below show the storm over the island from the causeway

Storm over Antelope Island



Another view of the Storm



Another view of the Storm



Another view of the Storm in B&W

 So if you visit the Great Salt Lake Region, Antelope Island is a worthy destination and an excellent place to spend at least one or 2 days exploring.  There is a $9 daily fee that is collected at the beginning of the Causeway