A few years ago we stayed in Jackson Hole on our way to Yellowstone National Park. In Jackson town centre is the George Washington Memorial Park which has four archways built entirely out of elk antlers. There are approximately 2,000 antlers to each arch.
On our travels through Yellowstone we saw many bison, the largest land mammal in North America. The males can weigh anything up to 2,000 pounds and females about 1,000 pounds. They can run up to 35 miles an hour, so it’s best not to have a race with one, as they can quickly pivot and suddenly be turning to face you.
These bison are pure descendants of the vast herds which once roamed the grasslands of the United States and the largest bison population is to be found in Yellowstone, where they have lived continuously since prehistoric times.
For the sake of safety, these photos were taken through the open car window.
Happy Sunday everyone.
You can also join in Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge, the topic of which is ‘Horns’.
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Very impressive and educative post. Many thanks.
Thank you for your lovely comment. 😄
My dogs would like a few of those antlers! I’m not sure I’d like to be too close, even in a car.
I saw that antler dog chews are available on Amazon. 🙂
The bison are huge beasts. We saw some in a small zoo in Toronto. It would be great to see them in the wild like this.
They’re not in your “backyard” right?
Hahaha No, not this time. 🤣😂
Those are beautiful photos, Silvia. That is some antler-arch!
Thanks, Lavinia. We so enjoyed our trip there. 🙂
I really like Jackson Hole and Yellowstone. So beautiful! 🙂
Me too, Lynette. Thank you. 🙂
Interesting how the elk survived, sacrificing only (mostly just) their antlers. I definitely wouldn’t want to get in the way of a bison. They may still be mad that we came close to decimating them.
Elk naturally shed their antlers every year, so no worries about those arches.
Seems like a huge investment of resources or energy to build those huge antlers, but I suppose any sacrifice in order to get the girl! 😀
😅
Bison look to be immense animals (I’ve never seen one in the flesh) but I can see how they once belonged in a prehistoric world.
Amazing photos! Sad facts about antler arches! I love National Parks! We have traveled to 23 along the Eastern Seaboard.
Elk naturally shed their antlers every year, so no elk were harmed to build those arches.
Your photography brings out the strength and beauty of the magnificent creature.
Thank you, Rebecca. 😘
Good move to take the photos through the window, Sylvia. We’ve been up close and personal with bison in Yellowstone (from the van) and they are awesome. Just imagine when in the west there were bison as far as the eye could see!! As for the archway of horns, the best part is that it’s really recycling, as the horns fall off. 🙂
janet
You’ve reminded me of the song “Home On The Range.” I remember it used to play on our radio in England when I was a child.
I grew up with that song. 🙂
You got horns, Love your bison photos. 😀
Thanks, Cee. 😘
They are such impressive beasts!
Absolutely, and this one looks quite weathered. 🙂
I think it’s moulting one season’s coat for the next?
Interessant
Baie dankie, Tina. 🙂
Wonderful shots of remarkable creatures. We once came across a herd on our way from Jacob’s Creek to the north Rim and watched them for ever! Like Leya, I hope the horns for that magnificent arch were dropped naturally. 🙂
The elk shed their horns every year and grow new ones for the next mating season. 🙂
Very glad to hear that! Thank you. 🙂
Oh how beautiful Sylvia, such a stunning creature . And being from Buffalo,NY, .. we’ll need I say more:) that was very interesting about the horns
Thanks, Kathy. They sure are magnificent creatures.
Magnificent bison and impressive arch…I hope the antlers were dropped naturally…
Oh yes, the elk get new antlers every year, so there are plenty laying around the area. 🙂
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I recognized the archway straight away . . . but we were told they were jackalope antlers when we visited as kids! 😆
Most fearsome creatures indeed. 😀
Marvellous to see these magnificent bison, Sylvia. Am now envisioning a confrontation with one in pirouette mode. That would not be so good.
Thanks, Tish. No, not a good position to be in. 😯
Way to answer the challenge. Isn’t Jackson Hole wonderful?!!!
Thanks, Frank. Yes, we found Jackson Hole to be a very interesting and welcoming place. 🙂
I’ve seen those antler archways, they are pretty neat! The bison are fascinating too, did they get in the road and hold up traffic on you? They did us, lol. Massive creatures!
Yes they did at one point, but not this particular one.
Beautiful.
Thank you. 🙂
Wow he is a big creature.. Do they eat the meat..
Rather large indeed. Bison eat about 30 lbs of grass a day. Yes, bison meat is apparently much healthier than beef. I’ve not had any though. http://www.chicagonow.com/katalin-fitness-health-driven/2012/02/5-reasons-to-eat-bison-the-new-healthy-red-meat/#image/1
Very nice shots of bison. From the size and weight, I am surprised they appear to be agile as you described. The 2000 lbs is about the size of small car. hmm.
Thanks, YC. Well, a small car can travel quite fast too. 🙂
Superb.I have friends in Wyoming and with my friends i visit Yellowstone .It’ so spectacular
I agree with you, Marylou. I would like to go back there again one day.