The Lamar Valley Buffalo of Yellowstone

A massive Buffalo is slowly sauntering down the middle of the road. It’s still a ways off, but I’m inclined to completely stop the car. The Buffalo seems to be staying mostly to the center of the road, so I just slowly move to the right side to pass it. Wrong move. The Buffalo has now moved towards the center of our lane and is heading straight towards our Subaru Forester. Where to go now? Subaru vs. Buffalo, who would win? There is a growing line of cars behind us. Only one thing to do. Press foot to brakes, and grab the camera. I lean out the window to get a head on shot of this magnificent and powerful beast.

It must be too early for frolicking because this calf is more interested in rubbing up against its mothers side. Although this is cute, the angle isn’t great. “Stay still now little one, I need to get a shot.” 7 or 8 shots later, he hasn’t stayed still. A Buffalo comes charging across the road maybe 100 ft ahead of us with another one right on its heels. The little calf seems to pick up on the energy and is starting to hop around a bit. I edge the car forward. Baby Buffalo turns… click, click.

There are some prong horns grazing much closer, to us but that’s not the shot I want. I pull the SUV over onto the side of the road. My girlfriend let’s me know she is staying in the car. Fair enough, we’ve been up since 4 am and are both reasonably exhausted. This will most likely be my last shot of Lamar Valley. The fields of grass vary in beautiful vibrant shades of green with some yellow scattered in. I wait for a jeep to pass then cross the road to squat on the very narrow gravel shoulder, almost sliding down off the road. Hopefully passing vehicles see me and slow down. The longest lense I have is a 200mm, so it will have to work. The landscape textures, lines and patterns are amazing. The layering is wonderful. This whole valley is wonderful. Steady as I can, I snap the last shot.