Since moving to Utah in the summer of 2009 I have wanted to get some images of an American Bison standing with the Great Salt Lake in the background. I had gotten them grazing on the hillsides, rolling around in a wallow, with calves, near the rocks and laying down but I hadn’t gotten the images I wanted with the lake clearly visible in the background.
European Starling hitching a ride on an American Bison – Nikon d200, f8, 1/1000, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 170mm, natural light
As a bird and nature photographer there are always images that I dream of getting, sometimes it is of a certain species or a specific setting. Some of those images I have been fortunate enough to create, others; not yet.
Patience does pay off because two days ago I was able to get a series of images of this bison with the Great Salt Lake clearly in view plus I had the added bonuses of having the snow topped Wasatch Mountain Range in the distance and a European Starling hitching a ride.
So, on to my next “dream” shot, I wonder when it will happen.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American Bison photos plus facts and information about this species.
* It isn’t uncommon to see Brown-headed Cowbirds or European Starlings perched on the backs of bison.
Patience pays off, and so does planning. This is a wonderful composition, and the bird on the bison is the icing.
Thank you Julie, I appreciate you comment.
We all have dream shots in mind and it is always great to see one come to fruition. I am glad that you got yours. A beautiful shot of the Bison.
Thank you Bob, patience does pay off at times. The Starling & snowy mountains made this image even more special to me.
What a nice photograph. It’s great when everything comes together. Thanks for sharing.
Gene
Gene, thanks for visiting and for your comment. It is great when things come together.
Lovely! Is it the curse of the photographer that there’s always another perfect image just beyond the horizon?
Laurence, I think it is a blessing that there is always another great opportunity for wonderful images just beyond the horizon! Thanks for your comment on this image.
That is an amazing photo! The background is beautiful!
Tammy, I agree, the background is beautiful and it is what I had been hoping to capture in an image with a Bison in it! Thanks for your comment.
Cool shot! I saw Brewer’s Blackbirds on the back of bison on my most recent trip to the island.
I’ve also seen Red-winged Blackbirds hitching a ride. Thanks for your comment Robert.