Leading the Pack at the Buffalo Races -- American Bison in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Throw Pillow

Yellowstone National Park is home to the only continuous herds of wild American Bison (often, though incorrectly, referred to as buffalo) in the United States. It is estimated that there were once 30 million bison on the North American continent, but within 400 years of European's arrival in the Americas there were less than 600 wild bison left. Conservation efforts began as early as 1864, but laws were rarely enforced and did nothing to curb the animal's decline. In fact, the federal and state governments actively encouraged the killing of bison to extinction in an effort to control the Native American populations. When Yellowstone National Park was established, the legislation provided against wanton destruction of animals in the park, but staffing and funding were not provided to enforce the law. By 1884 there were only 25 bison left in the park.

Yellowstone National Park is home to the only continuous herds of wild American Bison (often, though incorrectly, referred to as...

I have been photographing the things I see for over thirty years. A resident of San Luis Obispo County, I'm lucky to have many excellent photo destinations within a few minutes' or hours' drive. Beyond the local area, I have traveled throughout California and the western United States, visited far away American destinations such as Chicago, New York, Florida, and Alaska, and international destinations in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. My photography varies from Architecture to Industrial Art to Nature to Wildlife and I'm sure you'll find something suitable for your home or office. Visit my blog