A rare sighting [1] of a white bison calf at Yellowstone National Park has been captured in stunning photographs by Erin Braaten, a photographer from Kalispell, Montana. Braaten, who runs Dancing Aspens Photography and is a mother of eight, was visiting the park’s Lamar Valley when she spotted the extraordinary animal.
“We turned a corner and saw a bison in the river ahead of us and then noticed a white figure behind us. At first, I thought it might be a coyote,” Braaten recalled. “I lifted my camera, which I always keep ready, and realized it was a white bison calf.” Posts to X from local news stations showcase the calf, in stark contrast to your typical bison:
Photos of a white bison calf in Yellowstone National Park have generated excitement as well as questions: How does that happen?🐃
FULL STORY: https://t.co/IJeIxltnBy [2] pic.twitter.com/6X6Mb9paV8 [3]
— KUTV2news (@KUTV2News) June 14, 2024 [4]
Accompanied by her husband and their three youngest children, Braaten quickly navigated through traffic to return to the spot where she had seen the rare calf. “Capturing this photo is like a dream come true. It’s something you imagine but never expect to actually experience,” she said.
This sighting holds significant meaning beyond its rarity. According to a sacred prophecy of the Lakota tribe, the birth of a white bison signifies that “better times” are coming. Unlike albino bison, which have pink eyes and discolored hooves, this calf has black eyes, indicating it is a true white bison.
Without any formal tracking or data on the occurrence of white bison, it’s impossible to determine how rare these sightings truly are. Nevertheless, Braaten understood the importance of this moment. “We turned around so fast because we knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime sight,” she remarked.
The birth of the white bison calf has fascinated nature enthusiasts and photography lovers alike. “It was surreal and mind-blowing,” Braaten shared. “We were all a bit awestruck. It was incredible to share this experience with my kids and my husband. It was truly a special moment.”