Wildlife photography of a wild bison leading a small group through a misty Winter creek in Yellowstone National Park

Making their way along Alum Creek in the Hayden Valley of Yellowstone National Park, stately bison take on a mystic majesty in the rising steam of water warmer than the deep chill of a bright Winter evening. Much of Yellowstone is thermally active, with volcanic activity restlessly dormant just below the surface, creating wonderful interactions of heat, water, wildlife and light. The American Bison is North America’s largest land mammal, and their dense fur offers exceptional insulation with snow often accumulating on their back without melting.