If there’s one animal on this planet that’s built to handle the brutal cold, its the bison.

Heading into the winter season, a bison’s coat thickens up to counter the frigid temperatures and blankets of snow that often fall in their North Americans habitats.

Those wooly coats play an intricate role in keeping them warm through the winter, and allegedly create such a layer of insulation that snow that lands on their coat will not melt from the heat the bison’s skin gives off.

Bison pair their thickening coats (and skin) with their ability to derive sufficient nutrients from very small amounts of food, which is usually vegetation that peaks through the snow.

All of these qualities allow for bison to survive the toughest of winter conditions, and those conditions were shown in the breathtaking footage below.

A photographer and videographer by the name of Drew Simms braved the negative 37 degree weather at Yellowstone National Park and captured some stunning video of bison within the park traversing (and hunkering down out of) the snow.

The video is wonderfully put together, and the music that’s paired with it definitely gives the vibe of “King of the Snow” to the footage. Which, if we’re being honest, bison might as well be…

Before the bison videos start up, Simms turns the camera around on him to say:

“Here we are. (It’s) negative 37 degrees.”

Shoutout to Drew Simms for being an absolute mad man to go out in those conditions.

I’d assume that the National Park Service would advise visitors to stay inside on a -37 degree day, but myself and many others in the comment section were very thankful that the photographer went out to capture the footage of the snow-covered bison.

Social media users left these replies underneath the video praising the photographer for his work:

“Unbelievable. They are MAGNIFICENT!”

“Spectacular work and beautiful images!”

“Definitely worth being in -40 degrees. Amazing shots.”

“Fantastic captures of some fantastic animals.”

“Such massive, stoic animals (that are) withstanding the cold like that.”

A stunning image of a young polar bear drifting to sleep on an iceberg by British amateur photographer Nima Sarikhani has won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award.

“Sarikhani’s breathtaking and poignant image allows us to see the beauty and fragility of our planet,” Natural History Museum director Dr Douglas Gurr said.

“His thought-provoking image is a stark reminder of the integral bond between an animal and its habitat and serves as a visual representation of the detrimental impacts of climate warming and habitat loss.”

Sarikhani captured the image after three days searching for polar bears through thick fog off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago.

Four other outstanding finalists were highly commended in the competition which also saw two Australian photographers shortlisted, Cooma, NSW photographer Charles Davis, for his image Duckling Huddle, and Sydney photographer Ofer Levy, for his image Neighbourhood dispute.

The four images highly commended were:

The Happy Turtle, by Tzahi Finkelstein

Tzahi Finkelstein was in his hide, photographing shore birds, when he spotted a Balkan pond turtle walking in the shallow water. The dragonfly unexpectedly landed on the turtle’s nose.

Starling Murmuration, by Daniel Dencescu

Daniel Dencescu spent hours following the starlings around the city and suburbs of Rome, Italy.

Finally, on the cloudless winter’s day, the murmuration, swirled into the shape of a giant bird.

Shared Parenting, by Mark Boyd

Two lionesses had gone hunting, leaving the pride’s five cubs hidden overnight in dense bushes, in Kenya’s Maasai Mara Mara.

Returning from their unsuccessful mission, they called the cubs out on to the open grassland and began grooming.

Aurora Jellies, by Audun Rikardsen

Sheltering his equipment in a self-made waterproof housing, Audun Rikardsen used his own system for adjusting the focus and aperture during a single exposure, as moon jellyfish swarmed in the cool autumnal waters of a fjord outside Tromsø, in northern Norway, illuminated by the aurora borealis.

You can see the winners of the fifty-ninth Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition announced earlier this year here. 

Hope Floats © Dustin Ha

ESC © Dustin Ha

The First Daughter © Dustin Ha

Mon Dieu Projects Presents Debut Exhibition: “REMEMBER WHY YOU’RE HERE”
Unveiling Dustin Ha’s Bold Photography Collection at Helen J Gallery

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA, February 8, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ — Mon Dieu Projects is delighted to announce the debut photography exhibition of esteemed artist Dustin Ha: “REMEMBER WHY YOU’RE HERE.” This captivating collection of 26 large format photographs will be unveiled on Saturday, February 10th, at the prestigious Helen J Gallery, situated at 929 Cole Ave in Los Angeles. The reception will commence at 5 pm and conclude at 9 pm.

In this thought-provoking collection, Dustin Ha pushes the boundaries of conventional norms by intricately folding, framing, and installing each piece at unique angles. The result is a presentation that transcends predictability, embracing a nonfungible rarity that offers attendees an unparalleled artistic experience, elevating the boundaries of fine art photography.

“REMEMBER WHY YOU’RE HERE” transcends the realm of mere commercially driven prints, typically suited for hotel lobbies or luxurious homes. Ha invites viewers to delve beneath the surface, encouraging them to discover themselves in an exquisitely imperfect world. These works fearlessly explore the complexities of contradiction and darkness that often coexist beneath the veneer of beauty and light.

Each fold within the photographs serves as a poignant metaphor for life’s intricate tapestry, showcasing both its highs and lows. Reflecting the disorderly nature of life itself, these folds mirror the unpredictability of each viewer’s personal journey. For Ha, these folds symbolize moments of profound panic, yet within the interplay of light and shadows lies a celebration of resilience, finding beauty in imperfection. Every viewer is encouraged to contemplate the profound parallels between the creases in the photographs and the nuanced fabric of their own lives.

Dustin Ha, a Los Angeles-born Korean-American raised in El Salvador, embodies three fragmented identities, perpetually feeling like an outsider. However, it is through his lens that he discovers purpose, transcending the Sisyphean anxiety that has plagued him. Ha confronts his inner demons through a meticulous photography practice that celebrates the uniqueness within us all, utilizing juxtaposition and unconventional formats to narrate a compelling story.

We cordially invite you to join us for this exclusive one-day event, as “REMEMBER WHY YOU’RE HERE” unfolds at the Helen J Gallery on February 10th from 5 pm to 9 pm. Experience a visual odyssey that challenges perspectives, transcends the ordinary, and invites you to rediscover the essence of your being.

Press Release by The World Art News (WAN) WorldArt.News

Spencer Walker
Mon Dieu Projects
info@mondieuprojects.com
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