This was one rambunctious bison cow to say the least.

Taken this past Saturday in between snow storms, she was enjoying the break from the snow and bounding along through the fresh white stuff. It was a ton of fun to watch her as she seemed to revel in playing.

It makes a nice batch of images for Tatanka Tuesday.

I’ll tell you what, the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge really needs to do something about this. Those kids need to stop playing in the street! 😀

Not a particularly great image in terms of photographic quality but a fun one nevertheless. Taken a couple of weeks ago, the bison herd was on the move. The only real action to speak of were these four calves that were having fun sparring as they followed along with the adults.

As the Colorado Front Range was finally seeing its first, decent snowfall of the month yesterday, I headed to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. The action was pretty light as most animals hunkered down to wait out the wind and snow.

I staked out a spot to watch four bison bulls as they laid in the grass, gradually getting more and more covered in snow. Finally, one of them stood up and gave a big shake, sending snow flying everywhere. Cruddy light and a long distance between him and I made for tough shooting but it gave me a fun sequence of images.

The vast open spaces we enjoy here in the American west are tough for those in more populous areas to understand.

With just a short trip outside the metropolitan lights of Denver, you can find yourself surrounded by nothing but openness. No sounds but an occasional plane overhead and clear horizons every direction with only a power pole or two to be seen.

It is one of the things I value most about living here and why I never contemplate leaving. Sharing time in these areas with iconic wildlife after a recent fall snow is invigorating and something to be treasured.

I always say that there is something about these icons of the American West that begs to have them viewed in black and white. It just always seems so fitting.

This big guy was wearing a coat of white from the snowstorm this past Sunday night. The rising sun behind him provided somewhat harsh backlighting so I cranked up the highlights for this image.

It used to be we called these buffalo but that actually was incorrect. While they are part of the same family that includes the European and African buffalo, the Bison is its own, distinct species.

It is believed they were called #buffalo by early North American explorers due to their resemblance to the Old-World species. Native Americans call them Tatanka, a Lakota word that translated means “bull buffalo.”

Even bison like to catch the snow on their tongues! 😉

In actuality, he was doing the flehman response, trying to get a good smell of something. I ventured out yesterday just as our latest snowstorm was beginning, hoping to catch some cool scenes.

There were a few worthy captures making braving the cold worth it, including this one. The bison were very active with lots of battles between bulls going on although that action was too far away to get decent shots of.

Taken at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.

It was well worth the trip too. The defense looks outstanding again, the offense, well, it needs some work. 😉 It is always fun when I can get the #bison in front of the Mile High City like this. Bummed I only got rear-end shots though. 😀

Mental note: Do NOT put your head down when walking through a patch of sticker burrs. 😀

Goodness! This poor bison must have had its head down or rolled on a bunch of stickers. As thick as their fur is, I am sure it wasn’t even touching its skin but just the thought of it makes me go, “Ow!” One for #TatankaTuesday.