Yellowstone’s Gift
A PROLOGUE
January 27, 2025
Established in 1872 as the world’s first national park, Yellowstone is a priceless gift—a groundbreaking commitment to preserving America’s natural wonders for future generations. Spanning over 2.2 million acres, the park was created to safeguard its geothermal marvels, diverse wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes. It is a sanctuary of unspoiled wilderness, and I had no idea what treasures Yellowstone would reveal as our day unfolded…
0700 – Entering the Park
The day began in the bitter cold as we accessed the park in darkness through the West Yellowstone entrance. Just as we had done the previous day, we traveled by snow coach, our gateway to this frozen wilderness. The sub-zero temperatures outside were unforgiving, so we kept the windows cracked and the ceiling vent open inside the coach to prevent humidity from fogging up our camera gear. Though still chilly, the interior hovered around the mid-20s—nearly 40 degrees warmer than the outside. It’s hard to comprehend such an extreme contrast, yet you could still see your breath inside the vehicle as we traversed across the terrain at twilight.
0853 – A Moment in the Mist
After nearly two hours of slow, deliberate travel at 25 mph, we reached the eastern boundary of Hayden Valley and stopped at the mud volcano area for a restroom break. In Yellowstone, patience is key. Nothing happens quickly here, but that patience rewards you with moments that unfold in unexpected ways.
As my fellow travelers exited the coach, I spotted a solitary bison through the trees, standing about 50 yards away. My camera is always within reach, so I moved carefully, closing the distance to about 30 yards. The mud volcano thermal area released thick vapor into the air, filling the landscape with swirling mist. The scene was otherworldly, almost mystical.
I dropped to my knees, searching for the perfect composition through the trees. The frozen fog hung like a ghostly curtain around the bison, softening its silhouette, wrapping it in mystery. Then, in a fleeting yet profound moment, the animal turned its head and acknowledged me. Time stood still. And as a chill worked down my spine, I wondered to myself, “What are you trying to tell me?”
Canon R7, RF 100-500mm, 100mm @ 1/1000s, f/4.5, ISO 250.
A lone bison emerges through Yellowstone’s frozen mist, framed by snow-laden evergreens. Its dark brown silhouette contrasts with the ethereal white, a fleeting spirit in the winter wilderness. Stillness and mystery intertwine in this haunting moment.
I knew I wouldn’t capture a crisp, clean image. But that wasn’t the shot I needed. Instead, I caught something deeper—the spirit of the bison, its presence more ethereal than physical. It was a gift. A reminder that in Yellowstone, magic happens when you least expect it.
And to think, had I chosen to use the restroom right away, I would have missed this moment entirely.
The first image of the day - a ghostly silhouette of a lone bison emerging from the mist - was more than just a fleeting encounter...it was a prelude to the wild and unforgettable day ahead. That profound moment was only a glimpse of what today’s photo adventure had in store. Little did I know that in about an hour, I would be staring down a herd of charging bison fleeing from the relentless Wapiti wolf pack.
