It wasn’t that cold, perhaps 25-27degrees (F). The Bison had no crusties on them, what morning hoar frost that might have formed was long gone in the beaming sun. The bull was part of a small group of Bison moving from one foraging area to another. Even with the warm temps, I was hoping that the exertion might create a couple of big breaths of “steam” once he reached the top. We traveled to the top of the grade and waited. Not only did I need the bull to be breathing hard for any hope of seeing his breath, but I also needed it to not be locked by the other Bison and at the same time, the breath staying in front of his body. Any breath in front of the snow would disappear against the white. I so lucked out! After about a twenty-minute wait, the group came up, and at the end, he was clear, and the breeze took the breath in front of his dark body. He wasn’t mad, just tuckered!

At times, it seems that’s what they are expressing, unless you were there to know the BTS. In this case, this small group of American Bison was on the move in Yellowstone’s Hayden Valley. We came upon them at the bottom of a grade, and we could barely see their breath cause it was 18 degrees, bloody warm! They were heading up a hill though and like any other critter, exerting themselves to climb a hill. I knew when they reached the top, they would be breathing hard. So the snowcoach took us to the top of the grade, where there was a pull off. And there we waited for about thirty minutes. Then they came up and sure enough, they were panting, and the steam was bellowing. But the cow’s eyes seem to same, where have you been?

In the winter, the Red Fox has the most luxurious coat. Its color again, snow takes on a whole step deeper hue. The combination makes it a critter to seek and find. In the west, that is easier said than done. Yellowstone, in certain years, makes the possibility a near slam dunk, and from what I’m hearing, this could be one of those years. They are smart, they can be wary, so a little time looking and waiting is a must. Then, and this is critical, let them come to you. They will if you give them time, and that’s the key. They don’t like being pushed, a classic case of don’t be in a hurry to get nothing. So, I’ve got the time and eyes, so thinking a Red Fox may be in my future. Fingers crossed.

The Black-capped Chickadees seemed as excited as I to see the snow falling! I had to venture to Sax-Zim Bog in MN to find it, and after three days of temp 60 degrees warmer than normal, it was a blessing. We moved to snow country decades ago in part to photograph birds in falling snow. Inspired long ago by a photo I saw of a Cardinal in falling snow, I’ve been capturing it ever since. We were already to chase that photo again this year at The Ranch but, we have no snow, none! The chickadee seemed to be saying what I was saying, what’s that falling?

Their targer was the large, 2×4′ platform feeder stuffed with seed. Not really the shot I was after. I wanted them on the smaller branches, so I had to wait, and wait! Needed the platform feeder to fill up, so then the queue would start perching on the small, nearby branches. It happened a couple of times, and each time, the photos just came to life! While the males are a gorgeous rose color, oh man, of those ladies!

Their majestic pose, their eyes locked on ya staring down the lens barrel, it’s so addictive! Having been fortunate to enjoy this moment many times in the past, like in January at Sax-Zim, I seek it as often as possible. So we’ve been out looking for our local Great Gray Owls with little success. It’s the usual story, “Should have been here …” That’s probably one of the greatest rewards of photographing critters, getting out on their terms, looking for them in their world. When they share it, it touches the soul, leaving a permanent attachment. So far this winter, though, when it comes to our local Great Grays, no sign … yet.