The Weight of Winter

On a frigid and icy winter morning in Yellowstone, I came across this bull bison resting in the snow, his thick coat crusted with frost. At first, I hoped he might stand and begin trudging through the snow, giving me the opportunity to capture an image of his raw power in motion. But he had other plans—choosing instead to stay put and rest, unfazed by the bitter cold. As I waited and watched, my admiration for this remarkably resilient species only grew. The ability of bison to survive, and even thrive, through Yellowstone’s brutal winters is a powerful testament to their strength and adaptability. It was a humbling experience spent with one of North America’s most iconic animals.