Troy Marcy Photography

Wild Horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park - Before planning our trip to TRNP, we had heard about the possibility of seeing wild horses. According to the park’s website, there are approximately 198 horses spread throughout more than 70,000 acres. We knew our chances of seeing them might be slim since we were only going to be at the park for one afternoon and the following morning before moving on to our next destination. We heard that our chances were best near sunset in the South Unit of the park. We spent the afternoon exploring the North Unit before checking in to our hotel. After checking in and getting something to eat, despite being tired from all the traveling, we went back out to explore the South Unit for sunset. We were rewarded with some great wildlife, and just before reaching our spot for sunset, we turned the corner—and there they were! We saw about six wild horses grazing in a field up on a plateau. We were thrilled by the sight of them. It was so amazing to see horses in the wild, in such a beautiful and untouched setting that TRNP offers.We spent the afternoon exploring the North Unit before checking into our hotel. After checking in and getting something to eat, despite being tired from all of the traveling, we went back out to explore the South Unit for sunset. We were rewarded with some great wildlife, and just before getting to our spot for sunset, we turned the corner—and there they were!We saw about six wild horses grazing in a field up on a platua. We were thrilled by the sight. It was so amazing to see horses in the wild, in such a beautiful and untouched setting that TRNP offers.

The Bison of Theodore Roosevelt National Park - The American Bison truly is a special, mystical, and majestic animal that we need to continue to protect and support. Their numbers once fell from millions to just thousands. Thankfully, due to federal protection programs, zoos, and the support of several influential people, including Theodore Roosevelt, these animals have made a remarkable recovery. The protections and efforts must continue. I’m thankful for our National Parks, including Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which gives bison a place to roam in herds once again. Without them, there wouldn’t be the necessary habitats for these beautiful animals to thrive in. With recent changes by this administration, we are seeing these protections being weakened and these lands being reduced. After visiting four national parks this summer, I have an even greater appreciation for how important they truly are; not only for the wildlife and plant life that need them, but also for our planet, for our own enjoyment and education, and simply for the beauty of our planet’s natural landscapes.

Bison on a Formation - We were amazed to see how these bison roamed throughout the terrain of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. They weren’t limited to the grasslands and prairies, but also wandered along the ridges and hills of the badlands. It was impressive to watch them navigate the rugged, rocky terrain with such ease.

A Bison Glance - Capturing these fleeting moments of eye contact with a wild bison is no easy task. As they walk, their massive bodies gently sway, and while grazing, they rarely lift their heads for long. I had hoped for the chance to capture an image of one looking directly into my camera, and I was blessed with a few such moments. This was one of them.

We’ve all seen how unpredictable and powerful these magnificent animals can be, but from a safe and respectful distance, they can also seem remarkably peaceful. There was something almost magical about this moment; standing quietly in the presence of such an immense creature and, for just a few seconds, having it look directly back at me.

It’s , and this week’s crush is our very own Smidge!

Smidge is a 3-year-old Micro Bully weighing 45.2 pounds, and honestly, we could probably just say “we adore him” and leave it at that. Because we do. Smidge is a staff and volunteer favorite, and it’s not hard to see why.

He loves attention, belly rubs, and being reminded just how wonderful he is. And then there’s his smile. When Smidge flashes those little lower teeth, you can’t help but smile right back. It’s one of those Smidge things that everyone around here has come to love.

Smidge would prefer to be the only dog in his forever home, where he can soak up all the love and attention for himself. And really, when you’ve got a smile that cute, can you blame him?

Some dogs have a long list of things that make them special. Smidge just has one importantone: he’s Smidge. ♥️

Profile of a Bull Bison - All of the images you will see me posting of these massive American Bison were taken safely from a car and from an appropriate distance. For this trip, I rented a lens with an incredible range of 200mm to 800mm, giving me the opportunity to bring these magnificent animals much closer without ever disturbing them. This powerful profile filled the frame, revealing details and textures that I would never have been able to capture with a shorter lens.

American Bison in Evening Glow - This American bison, standing in the backlit glow of the evening light, was a breathtaking and almost timeless scene. For a moment, it felt as though we had stepped back through the pages of history, witnessing a glimpse of the American West as it might have looked in the early 1800s, when vast herds of bison still roamed freely across the landscape. There was something almost surreal about seeing this magnificent animal silhouetted in the fading light, as if the years had briefly fallen away and we were looking into a long-lost chapter of America’s past.

The American Bison - One of the highlights of Theodore Roosevelt National Park was watching these free-roaming wild American bison throughout the beautiful landscapes. We saw a couple of herds, but scattered throughout the park were the huge, roaming bulls. They pretty much wandered wherever they wanted. We saw them in open fields, walking on the roads, and even up on the badlands formations. The park was theirs. They are the largest land mammal in North America.

Here is a panoramic view of one of the breathtaking vistas in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. When the sunlight falls across the layers of golden landforms, they seem to almost glow, creating a scene that is truly mesmerizing. The vastness and beauty of this landscape are difficult to capture in a photograph. This panoramic image is best viewed on a computer with a large monitor to fully appreciate its scale and detail.

TRNP Badlands - Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota contained some of the most otherworldly yet beautiful landscapes and formations that I have ever seen. As usual, the images don’t do them justice. These sweeping vistas of formations, referred to as Badlands formations, stretch as far as the eye can see. Among these formations, within the borders of this National Park, you will find the closest thing to an American safari experience that I’ve ever experienced while driving through the United States. In this landscape, if you look closely, you can see a herd of bison. I included a cropped image with the bison more clearly visible. Other than a few landscapes, most of this album will feature wildlife we saw while driving through this beautiful and highly underrated National Park. Our favorites were the bison, wild horses, and the prairie dog towns.