Saturday, February 11, 2012

At Ease in the Elements

I am not sure what it is about bison that captures my attention and tugs at my sensibilities like a magnet - their size and formidable hulking stance, their disdain for humanity and all its works, their air of insouciance and subtle menace? Their very wildness perhaps?

Majestic, that's the word... the majestic creatures at Battle River Bison are not the slightest bit put out by winter weather, and on sunny days, they inhabit the white stuff with such aplomb that one would think they had invented it. Maned, shaggy and looking for all the world like an ancient herd of tundra mammoths, they stand facing into winter storms (unlike domestic bovines), and they shrug off gale winds, driving snow and ice pellets as though such things are minor nuisances.  Bison are just plain magnificent.

Knowing perfectly well that bison are more dangerous than grizzlies, I'd still like to find a way to get closer to them, but all my scheming avails me not. Since it is not going to happen, a very long lens is the way to go.
(Sorry to be retooling this post, but I was rather woolly in the noggin this morning thanks to a bad head cold, and this post simply would not fall into place.  First I posted the wrong image, and then I couldn't put words together - that hardly ever happens, but it happened today.)

6 comments:

laveta'splace said...

Looks like he's enjoying life. I'm glad I have a nice warm home to be in on this cold, cold day,.

the wild magnolia said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
the wild magnolia said...

From this photo I feel the wicked cold wind....Bison are ancient, they seem to retain something old in their eyes, the want to share this wisdom.

"Come to me, sit by the circle fire, wrap yourself in the red wool blanket, and I will tell you secrets of the wild places."

Great capture.

Mystic Meandering said...

"Woolly in the noggin" is happening more frequently here :) And can't blame it on a head cold... Hope you are feeling better soon!

Anonymous said...

Magnificent is a good word and I enjoyed photo and post thoroughly, woolly noggin or not.

Guy said...

Hi Cate

Wow what an iconic photo. I have always felt a real connection with Bison and you have really captured the strength and drama of this great animal in the winter.

Regards
Guy