Close up of a an American BisonClose up of a an American Bison – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/200, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

Antelope Island State Park in northern Utah is a place where the “Buffalo” still roam unfettered by fences in a wild and majestic location. This photo; taken yesterday, shows how the grass has begun to green up and after a long winter of nothing but dried vegetation this bull seemed quite content to nibble on the fresh green grass.

An American Bison in early springAn American Bison in early spring – Nikon D300, f8, 1/250, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 200mm, natural light

The dark patches of hide on this Bison’s rump and back show that it is beginning to shed its thick winter coat. It won’t be long before the hind end of the bulls are sleek.

When I saw and photographed this bull yesterday I thought of the bison slaughter going on up in Yellowstone, how nearly 600 bison including pregnant cows were rounded up for culling slaughter because they don’t know where the boundary of the park ends and for population control. The bison “might” expose the cattle to Brucellosis which can cause late term abortions in cattle. The thing is that Bison never had Brucellosis until they were exposed to it by the cattle early pioneers brought with them.

I read this morning that the Yellowstone Bison Slaughter is done for the season but also that it doesn’t mean that more won’t be captured. I linked to a Miami media outlet because the AP article is complete whereas most of it is truncated in the media outlets closer to the park. I have to wonder why that is.

I know that I am much less inclined to visit Yellowstone now than I had been in the past because of the slaughter of these Bison and the Gray Wolves outside of the park area.

I couldn’t help but think of that yesterday as I watched this bull grazing peacefully on Antelope Island. Enough said. For now.

Mia

Click here to see more of my American Bison photos plus facts and information about this species.

Warning, this link has graphic images of Bison being rounded up and dead bison: http://earthfirstjournal.org/newswire/2014/02/22/yellowstone-begins-wild-bison-slaughter/