Bison Beauties
by Priscilla Burgers
Title
Bison Beauties
Artist
Priscilla Burgers
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
These bison are part of a small herd of bison on a ranch in Maxwell, New Mexico. On a trip to photograph the wildlife at Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge, I was surprised to see these bison near the road behind fence. I chose to give the photograph a vintage look in keeping with the look of old Western photographs.
Bison are large, even-toed ungulates in the genus Bison within the subfamily Bovinae. There are two extant and four extinct species recognized. Of the four extinct species, three were North American; The fourth, Bison ranged across steppe environments from Western Europe, through Central Asia, and onto North America. There are two surviving species: the American bison, found only in North America, is the most numerous. (It is only distantly related to the buffalo.) The North American species is composed of two subspecies, the plains bison and the wood bison, which is the namesake of Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada. The European bison, or wisent, is found in Europe and the Caucasus, and was re-introduced after being extinct in the wild.
While all bison species are usually grouped into their own genus, they are sometimes included in the closely related genus Bos, together with cattle, gaur, kouprey and yaks, with which bison have a limited ability to interbreed.
The American bison and the European wisent are the largest terrestrial animals in North America and Europe. Bison are good swimmers and can cross rivers over half a mile wide. Bison are nomadic grazers and travel in herds. The bulls leave the herds of females at two or three years of age, and join a male herd which is generally smaller than the female herds. Mature bulls rarely travel alone. Towards the end of the summer, for the reproductive season, the sexes necessarily commingle. American bison are known for living in the Great Plains. Both species were hunted close to extinction during the 19th and 20th centuries, but have since rebounded. The American plains bison is no longer listed as endangered, but the wood bison is on the endangered species list in Canada
Wallowing is a common behavior of bison. A bison wallow is a shallow depression in the soil, either wet or dry. Bison roll in these depressions, covering themselves with mud or dust. Possible explanations suggested for wallowing behavior include grooming behavior associated with molting, male-male interaction (typically rutting behavior), social behavior for group cohesion, play behavior, relief from skin irritation due to biting insects, reduction of ectoparasite load (ticks and lice), and thermoregulation. In the process of wallowing, bison may become infected by the fatal disease anthrax, which may occur naturally in the soil.
The bison's temperament is often unpredictable. They usually appear peaceful, unconcerned, even lazy, yet they may attack anything, often without warning or apparent reason. They can move at speeds of up to 35 mph and cover long distances at a lumbering gallop.
Their most obvious weapons are the horns borne by both males and females, but their massive heads can be used as battering rams, effectively using the momentum produced by 2,000 pounds moving at 30 mph. The hind legs can also be used to kill or maim with devastating effect. At the time bison ran wild, they were rated second only to the Alaska brown bear as a potential killer, more dangerous than the grizzly bear. In the words of early naturalists, they were a dangerous, savage animal that feared no other animal and in prime condition could best any foe (except for wolves and brown bears.
The rutting, or mating, season lasts from June through September, with peak activity in July and August. At this time, the older bulls rejoin the herd, and fights often take place between bulls. The herd exhibits much restlessness during breeding season. The animals are belligerent, unpredictable and most dangerous.
FAA Featured Photo:
Creators Guild Group-02/01/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
Excellent Self-Taught Artists group-02/02/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
A Little of This and a Little of That Group-02/02/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
Sensational Animals Group-02/02/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
Visual Voice Group-02/02/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
Premium FAA Artists Group-02/03/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
All Seasons Landscapes Group-02/03/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
Women Photographers Group-02/03/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
Wildlife Group-02/03/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
Art From the Past Group-02/04/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
Rock the Sales Group-02/04/2104
FAA Featured Photo:
Photography and Textures Make Fine Art Group-02/04/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
All Natural Landscapes Group-02/05/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
Out West Group-02/06/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
FAA Featured Images Group-02/07/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
Nature, Wildlife, Sunsets and Sunrises Group-02/09/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
Nature Photography Group-02/09/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
Textures and Creative Effects Group-02/10/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
1-2-3-4-5 Group-02/12/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
The Gold Standard Group-02/13/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
Photographic Excellence Group-02/15/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
Manipulation Group-02/16/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
The 200 Club - Photos with over 200 views up to 500 -03/07/2014
FAA Featured Photo:
North American Wildlife Artists and Photographers Group - 9/1/2015
FAA Featured Photo:
500 and Beyond Fine Art Group - 4/26/2017
FAA Featured Photo:
Animal Mania Group - 4/26/2017
FAA Featured Photo:
500 Views Group - 5/24/2017
FAA Featured Photo:
500 to 1000 Photo Group - 5/29/2017
Uploaded
February 1st, 2014
Embed
Share
Similar Images
Comments (118)
Barbie Corbett-Newmin
Welcome to the 200 club and congrats on hundreds of well-deserved views for this nostalgic work !
Nikolyn McDonald
They are very impressive up on that ridge like that. The texture and tones are a nice addition to this one.
Recently Viewed
