Battle of the Bulls | Bison Rut

As I prepare for my trip to Churchill to photograph and film polar bears, I have been practicing my photography skills closer to home. Just outside Denver, Colorado is the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. I frequent this refuge as it provides excellent access to prairie wildlife such as mule and white-tail deer, black-tailed prairie dogs, coyotes, bald eagles, and a population of American bison. The bison rut occurs in late summer and early fall when hormones surge in massive bulls and they battle for dominance. Behaviors such as letting out deep booming bellows, pawing and rolling on the ground creating big dust clouds, and head-to-head combat are incredible to witness!