Bison calves AKA - 'Red Dogs'

12 TITANIUM

Bison

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* Best experienced full screen

Rothund - Zoo Magdeburg

Hundestrand in St Peter Ording mit Leuchtturm Westerhever Strand

End of the dogs beach

Bison Calf

I would not have thought to find a young "red dog" bison OR wildflowers in October in Yellowstone, but here they are. On second look, thanks Judy, those just might be yellow leaves not yellow flowers. Fooled me.

This trip was all about wildlife for me and I had some different tools, my 400mm f/2.8 and my 70-200 f/2.8. I photographed Bison in four of the six areas I visited, and on occasion they were causing "bison jams" on the roads. No jam here, as this was rather off the beaten path so to speak, but it was raining off and on, so the f/2.8 and short zoom came in handy. Standing on the doorjam of my "rolling blind", btw.

I really enjoy watching these spring calves with so much energy and curiosity.

Bison Calf AKA - Red Dog

Bison cow and calf

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This had to be one the most patient and interactive Bison moms I have ever seen. She let her little guy head butt her over and over again. It was so amazing to watch the interaction between these two.

For me, the most iconic symbol of the American West is the bison. Once hunted to near extinction, they have made a great comeback through the conservation efforts of many generations. Here a small calf (most were much larger and had lost their reddish color) appears safe in the company of a large bull. They had just crossed the Firehole River and were moving with the rest of the herd to a new meadow.

Thanks so much to everyone who takes the time to view, like or comment on my photos!

© 2020 Craig Goettsch - All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use without permission is prohibited.

I'd say the Red Dog is all played out.Better to stick to the beer instead.Taken across the BNSF tracks at nearly abandoned Ludlow,CA on old Route 66.

Slide well this Sunday everyone!

On my first early-morning "game drive" in Yellowstone NP this 2018 spring, I found what I went for - bison in Springtime. The light was in my favor, and a pair of little "red dogs" was running circles around the mother. In fact, if you view large, you can see the red dog's hooves are a bit of a blur. I'm actually not sure if the calves were twins or just best buds. This is just one; the other was a little out ahead. The action was fast and furious before the inevitable energy crash. I moved on thinking that was just the best. Turned out it was - best light, best close action - pretty much a major highlight of my several days there.

Bison 'Red-dog' calf and cow

Lucky little red dog (young bison calf) to have a caring mama. I'm not exactly sure if this was at Custer State Park or Wind Cave NP, South Dakota since the parks are adjacent. (There is a fence somewhere along the parks road). Happy Mother's Day to all the moms of the world.

Since it's March which makes me think of spring, which makes me think of baby animals, this week's theme is babies!

A baby bison, aka: red dog (I just learned that term) in Yellowstone.

Coyote

Called a red dog or little red, they will turn brown like their parents in about eight weeks.

Anyone who has had little kids gets this........

Yes I was that close (no crop) and no I was not in any danger. A car is one of the most effective blinds there is and I was safely sitting inside mine when this bison calf and its mom strolled by. If you are quiet and do not make any sudden moves the animals will typically not be alarmed and their behavior will remain natural. I find this true even with small, skittish birds.

Happy Friday!

Thanks so much to everyone who takes the time to view, like or comment on my photos!

© 2020 Craig Goettsch - All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use without permission is prohibited.

A small group of bison "red dog" calves and cows sprinting across the flats. That's quite a view from that person's home in the background, but I hope they are up wind from the herd. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA, July 2025

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A small bison herd crossing a field in the late afternoon light. A couple "red dog" calves safely surrounded by the adults. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA, July 2025

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Bison Calf, 'Red Dog'

Bison cows and calves (red dogs) graze and rest on the late spring prairie, in a ritual developed over the past 12,000 years. Over that time a variety of predation threats have appeared and disappeared as climate has changed and species have gone extinct. Humans have directly and indirectly played a part as hunters on bison and hunters on the hunters of bison. Most folks know about the dramatic decline and near-extinction of bison in the late 19th century when Euro-Americans slaughtered herds to disrupt the close dependence of indigenous peoples on these remarkable animals. Thankfully the herds of bison continue to make a return, including these bison that are part of a group 1400 strong.

It's red dog season again in Yellowstone. They call newborn bison 'red dogs' because of their fur color when born. They sure are cute. This little one had its mother watching over him during a light snow fall. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA, May 2025

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From that same wet morning in YNP with the bison and the scratching posts (Mark pointed out the big tree on the right was plenty well worn as well), here's the little "red dog" posted a couple of months ago. Mostly this trip was for me all about using my new 400mm prime. After driving some 3500 miles, I finally figured out it was OK if I toured with a shorter zoom on my other body for scenics and close-proximity big animals like this one. Duhhh.

Bison 'Red-dog' calf

A little early practice for two young bulls at least seven years shy of being capable of battling like the two I posted yesterday. Thanks to James Page for enlightening me on the age of maturity and prime mating years of Plains Bison. For more info on that, read James' comment below.

red dog

"Bison were an amazing resource for the First Nations people who lived on the plains. However, within a single human lifetime, bison in North America were hunted from the tens of millions to less than a thousand individuals scattered across the continent."

Bison calf nursing. About a few months after birth, bison calf lose their red fur color, transitioning into their traditional dark brown. Hmmm, I wonder if it is because they are drinking chocolate milk. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA, July 2025

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Toy Poodle

Bison in Yellowstone with "Red Dog" calf

Two little bison calves (aka red dogs) practice their head butting skills.

It is great fun watching the red dogs romp around, especially the one on the left. His nickname should be 'The Instigator'. The sun angle was just right to make it look like he was shadow kicking the other calf in the head. Doubt I'll ever see that happen again. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA, June 2024

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A young Plains Bison found in Custer State Park, South Dakota.

As I flip through some photo folders this morning, I came across this shot of a newborn bison taken this past May. I remember it being quite a bit smaller than many of the other youngsters running around the area. I watched he (assumed) and his mom walking from the hills above from some time to rejoin the herd.

The little guy seemed so tired once the herd was reached, or maybe he was just overloaded with excitement in seeing all the other calves for the first time. His reaction was to lay as photographed, resting his chin on the ground.

Today I look at this shot and hope that he is doing well as I’m sure he is much larger now and grazing hard, sporting his first winter coat produced to get him through his first South Dakota winter.

Lamar Valley is a great place for seeing larger bison herds in Yellowstone. This panorama was made from nine vertical frames. The herd was very vocal that morning in the rutting season. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA, July 2025

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Wrapping up my twofer (or more) series with this shot of two Plains Bison cows and their calves.

Tomorrow, I'll probably switch to random mode for a while.

Grand Teton National Park.

Another beloved animal I got to enjoy on my Fall 2022 epic road trip. Bison always amaze me. They weigh a ton, yet they are powerful and agile getting around on those teeny lower legs. It was a bit surprising to find a young "red dog" still nursing here in Fall. What do I know.

Red dog in a blue bus captured for Window Wednesday.

HWW everyone!