In June 2022, driving through Antelope Island State Park in Utah, I came on a big herd of bison near the road. One of them rolled onto its back in the dirt, legs in the air. A bison taking a dirt bath is not a sight you see every day.
Why Bison Roll In The Dirt
Bison wallow. They roll in the dirt until the dust coats their skin, and that layer of dust helps protect them from biting insects and the scorching sun. Several of the herd were rolling that day, not just this one.
Bison are one of the best known animals in North America, and a full grown one can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. They are known for their size and their strength, and watching one up close, you can see why. An animal that size on its back, with all four legs kicking at the sky, is something to see. Antelope Island is one of the few places where you can watch them up close in their natural habitat, and I took full advantage of it.
Shooting From The Pickup Window
I did not have to go far for this shot. The herd was right by the road, so I grabbed my camera and set it on a bean bag draped over the open window of my pickup, hoping to catch the moment. The bean bag gave the camera a solid rest while I stayed in my seat and let the bison do its thing. Shooting from the truck is how I do a lot of my refuge work, and it worked here too.
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Focal length: 500 mm
- Aperture: f/9
- Shutter speed: 1/3200 sec
A Highlight Of The Utah Trip
Watching that bison roll was a highlight of my trip. As a wildlife photographer, I feel privileged to witness and document behavior like this in the animals’ own environment, and to bring a photo of it home. If bison are your thing, I photographed a calf at the same park here: Bison Calf At Antelope Island State Park. Tell me in the comments if you have watched bison wallow where you live.