Yesterday was National Bison Day and I forgot to mention that or share an image of an American Bison. Many people still call them Buffalo and to my ears both Bison or Buffalo sound right.

Starlings and a Bison bull in snow on Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahStarlings and a Bison bull in snow on Antelope Island State Park – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

National Bison Day is an annual celebration of these majestic animals that we almost lost to extinction. Today bison are being reintroduced onto lands that they were extirpated decades ago and I say it is about time.  We still need to protect the bison and National Bison Day is a reminder of that.

The Transcontinental Railroad that was to connect the East to the West played a part in the decline of the American Bison and that is of historical interest to me because the last spike for the Pacific Railroad is just up the road (90 miles) from where I live and I photograph in that area often near the Promontory Mountains and Golden Spike National Historic Site. I might even be heading up that way this morning, I am not sure yet.

I found an article on Smithsonian.com titled “Where the Buffalo No Longer Roamed” that I thought you all might be interested in that is about that period of time and how the railroad affected the bison and gives some of the history of an area I love.

I am so glad the American Bison were saved from extinction and that I see the Antelope Island State Park herd as often as I do. Sorry for being one day late on this!

Life is good.

Mia

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