Bison Bull Emerging From Yellowstone River

At the north end of the Hayden valley there is a favored spot for wildlife to cross the Yellowstone River. Paths lead up to it, and trees nearby hold scars from all the extra rubbing and scratching by wet bison. During the rut, bison travel back and forth across the river almost daily. Half of the crossing is shallow, and as they wade across, they eventually step into deep water and must swim. When they swim, they are nearly submerged with just their faces above the water pointing up at the sky. They move quickly and eventually hit shallower river bottom on the far side. As this bull rose out of the deeper water, he swung his head back and forth, getting his balance on the uneven river bottom and flinging water off his head.