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Antelope Island is one of those places where everything comes together—the land, the wildlife, and the history. Yesterday’s Bison Roundup wasn’t just about wrangling these massive creatures; it was a reminder of the delicate balance that places like this rely on, especially with Great Salt Lake as a backdrop. The island and the lake are deeply intertwined, and what happens to one affects the other.
The bison herd, with its 550 to 700 members, needs careful management because the island’s grasslands can only sustain so many of these giants. Watching the roundup unfold is like stepping back in time, to a part of the West where both man and nature lived in harmony. But beyond the spectacle of cowboys on horseback driving the herd north, there’s a bigger story at play—one that ties directly to the health of Great Salt Lake.
The island is shaped by the lake's fluctuating water levels, and the entire ecosystem, including the bison, depends on the health of the lake. It felt symbolic watching these animals move in sync with their surroundings, knowing how much is at stake not just for them, but for the larger landscape they call home.
I had the privilege of being there with my wife to witness the herd moving toward the corrals near White Rock Bay. With clear skies and little wind, the conditions were perfect for capturing the day's energy. The cowboys and cowgirls guiding the bison were impressive, their skills on full display as they worked with the land and animals.
As a photographer, I gravitated toward processing what I captured in black and white. There’s something about the stark contrast of light and shadow that feels right when capturing events like this. The bison, the riders, and the dusty plains all felt more raw, more connected to the timelessness of this place. Without color to distract, you can focus on the textures—the dust kicked up by hooves, the strain in the riders' faces, the muscles of the bison. It’s a visual story that echoes the deeper story of the island and lake.
Yesterday wasn’t just another day at the Bison Roundup; it was a powerful moment of reflection, capturing the importance of conservation—for the bison, for Antelope Island, and for Great Salt Lake.
