The Fight

American bison like to live and travel in groups. For most of the year herds are divided by sex, with females and calves in one herd and males in another herd. When the breeding season begins in the summer, many males temporarily join the female herd and begin looking for a mate. Bison communicate by hearing and smell. The most important communication is done with pheromones and smells, especially during reproduction. Bison also grunt, snort, and growl.

The dominant bulls  choose a female and defend her against other males through fighting. The males might butt heads or use their horns. Once the female agrees to mate, the pair mates several times.

While traveling through Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, I rounded a corner and was met by a huge herd of bison. The huge, majestic animals were all over the hillside. Some were laying, some were eating and some were even rolling around in the dry dirt. Others had different plans. They were going to battle. I saw these two squaring off. It started off slow. Some jockeying for position, and then it was an explosion of pure power by both animals. I sat in amazement watching this unfold in front of my eyes. My finger never left the shutter as I fired away. I loved this picture the most because you can see the determination in their eyes. Fighting for the love of their lady friends.

Location: Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota