Driving The Herd

Susan Bergstrom

Driving The Herd

Original digital photograph. Taken with a Sony Full HD 1080 Cyber Shot camera.

Many people do not know (I didn’t until I went on this drive) that you can’t herd Buffalo, you drive them…the American Bison is our representation of the African Rhino…A full grown Male Buffalo can over turn a truck and kill a horse in the blink of an eye. I had it explained to me by one of the many professional drovers, that you have to make the “Lows” as they are called..think it is their idea to go in a certain direction… and you can’t push them like a herd of cattle…it is the hardest job on the face of this earth. A Cowboy can not get within 25 feet of the outside line because Buffalo have explosive tempers and pretty much hate horses.
Taking pictures of this drive was like filming an epic saga of history…it truly felt as if we were all in this time warp of 200 years ago.

My husband and I were invited by the Gov. of South Dakota to help with the yearly Buffalo Roundup. This is an event that takes place every year to round up the 2000 plus herd of Buffalo of the Black Hills and take them over 25 miles to holding pens for vaccination, doctoring and culling.
This was the most awesome experience…all on horse back and photo opportunities of a lifetime.

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Driving The Herd belongs to the following groups:

Art Inspired by Dreams, Equine Art and Photography, Everyday Life, Exotic Mammals, Horse and Rider , Landscape and Abstract Photography, Las Vegas & Nevada, Live, Love, Dream: , Men Appreciation, Rural Around The Globe, Rustic, Safe Haven, Scenery, The Patchwork and United States Available for sale as

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Driving The Herd by Susan Bergstrom
Driving The Herd by Susan Bergstrom
  • navybrat

    navybrat

    very nice Susan!

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks NavyB…(;o)

  • JuliaWright

    JuliaWright

    Such a awesome photo Susan!

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks..I think I was in tears when I shot this…it was just so overwhelming the effect of the past swirling around me and being there to experience it!

  • handprintz

    handprintz

    What an amazing experience !! awesome shot

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks Trudi…I think I held my breath the entire time…partly because of how dangerous it can be and the other part is that there was an epic photograph in every direction! Thanks for viewing and your comment…

  • shanemcgowan

    shanemcgowan

    Beautiful image and editing susan.

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks Shane…was a grand time!

  • barnsis

    barnsis

    Amazing image, love the perspective, Awesome

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks…I actually made a video of all the shots and the Gov. used it in the South Dakota tourism TV ads …he had a professional photographer there from New Yourk but the guy was to scared to get in the thick of it..LOL, NOT ME…gimmy a horse!

  • BarbaraManis

    BarbaraManis

    Susan, this is a fabulous shot, no I take that back… there are no words to describe it. What an awesome experience. Thanks for the explanation. Extremely well done! Love it!

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thank you Barbara…unbeliveable time…a grand photo in every direction!

  • Debra Willis

    Debra Willis

    Wonder photo, I love the old west look

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks so much Debra! It sure was not hard to get the old west look that day!!!

  • Antanas

    Antanas

    Great capture, beautiful shot

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks so much…for viewing my work, your comment..and the FAV!

  • Jan Landers

    Jan Landers

    what an amazing experience, susan…..i had no idea about driving the buffalo….so interesting and i love this shot…..a moment in time to treasure for always….thank you so much for sharing this…..

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Yes it was an awesome time…seven days that went in a blink of the eye…something happening all of the time…camp coffe, trail food…and just the rolling hills of South Dakota, the wild sounds of the buffalo…they roar and grunt like wild animals…no lowing like cattle…and then the Black Hills and the ancient feel of all of it! Thanks for viewing and commenting! You know I always appreciate it!

  • Romo

    Romo

    wow…this is cool:)

  • photosbylefty

    photosbylefty

    a picture right out of a Zane Gray novel, spectacular capture Susan

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks John…had to be fast..the shots were gone in a breath!

  • JuliaWright

    JuliaWright

    Susan came back for a second look even though I have a fave…....just love this photo of how it has been shot…..just so awesome my friend!!

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thank so much for the second look…I was so pleased with this photo too..it came out so layered and suggested movement!

  • Grumpy02

    Grumpy02

    This is an awesome capture,I love it. Wish I could have been there-Great shot-Love your work!!

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks so Much!

  • Joseph Rieg

    Joseph Rieg

    After living in South Dakota for 3 years, it was very nice to see a shot from that area.

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Why you are very welcome and thanks for viewing and your comment!

  • Gary L. Suddath

    Gary L. Suddath

    awesome shot of an awesome experiance. it must of been like being cought up in a whirlwind an stepping back a few hundred years

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    It was my friend..there are no words for what the seven days was like…it was ard to drive away and back into the real world with stop signs and punk rock!!!

  • coffeetea

    coffeetea

    a great moment… in capture ! susan

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    I still have dreams about this time and experience…Thanks!

  • coffeetea

    coffeetea

    spiritual….event…, i believe you.

  • MaLene

    MaLene

    This must have been Great. Excellent shot.

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    In a word it was awesome! Thanks for viewing and your comment..I appreciate it!

  • Lynn Stratton

    Lynn Stratton

    Beautifully captured. I like all the info you added with the photo too. I had no idea anyone herded buffalo anymore. Very cool! :)

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks and yes, they do it every year up in So.Dakota…it was an awesome time, life changing so to speak…felt like we were going back in time!

  • Peacefulwarrior

    Peacefulwarrior

    very nice indeed…....

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks…I have so many awesome captures from that drive…I’d love to post all of them!

  • Gene Praag

    Gene Praag

    I have seen what those Buffalo can do to a truck. They do a roundup on Antelope Island every fall here in Utah. You have captured the moment perfectly!

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks…it was just toooo awesome of an adventure!

  • Christine Till @ CT-Graphics

    Christine Till...

    Great action shot, Susan!
    Congratulation on winning the challenge. It’s well deserved.

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thank you so much…I am waiting for my breathing to return to normal!!! Too great and thanks again!

  • Braedene

    Braedene

    Love your story – would love to do this – what a wonderful chance and this is a great photo- congrats on winning the Challenge. Liz

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    It was mind altering and spirit enhancing…I wish I could down load all of the shots I took over that week…it did truly change my life and for sure my art…thanks so much for viewing and your thoughtful comments!

  • FrozenMoments

    FrozenMoments

    Wow! Great shot, they are massive beasts, I never knew they didn’t like horses Lol! But hten again I am an Aussie…

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    I didn’t ether..but they are absolutly rageful beasts…you can tame them, but it is a long hard task. Thanks for viewing and your comment, I appreciate it!

  • Rosemaree

    Rosemaree

    I love this image. I remember seeing it a little while back in a challenge and I voted for it. What a coincidence that it happens to be yours.

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    I can’t thank you enough for your favor of my work…it is no greater reward then to have others drawn and involved in your work! Thanks so much!

  • lizalady

    lizalady

    Congratulations for winning the challenge. This looks like it would be sooo much fun. It was the perfect shot for this challenge. How long did it take you to go the 25 miles?

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks I just saw this and it is too cool! It took us over 3 days to go the distance…had to round up two seperate herds and bring them together…then we had to let them settle and then continue on…can’t go too far in on day or they get mighty surley!!! Then distructive! Thanks for viewing and I appreciate your comment!

  • Mary Campbell

    Mary Campbell

    What a great picture Susan, lovely.

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks so much Mary!

  • J-C Saint-Pô

    J-C Saint-Pô

    just woooooooooooooooooow

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    LOL…thanks JC!!!!

  • Wendi Donaldson

    Wendi Donaldson

    What an amazing ride you had….and to get this shot, and no doubt others, along the way amidst all this…WOW! you’re one amazing photographer, Susan. Congrats on placing in the TOP TEN with this one….very deserving indeed.

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks so much! It was the adventure of a lifetime!!! ...and thanks so much for the wonderful comment!

  • SandraRos

    SandraRos

    CONGRATULATIONS on yet another top 10 !!!! Wooow you are doing so well and your photographs is really awesome !

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks Sandra…I truly appreciate your viewing my work!

  • Margaret Harris

    Margaret Harris

    This photograph is really cool ! You don’t see this type of stuff in my neck of the woods…only in the movies. Wow! and really interesting information.

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks so much for viewing Margaret…it was the adventure of a life time! I appreciate your viewing!

  • skyhorse

    skyhorse

    this is an experience I have always wanted to do, just need to visit USA at right time of year & make all the right arrangements, piece of cake – I wish! What an incredible thing to take part in, what a view – wow

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Yes, it is by special invite from the Gov. Of South Dakota…he selects 100 people to join him and the National Park people to bring over 2000 head of Am. Bison together to be culled, vaccinated and some are sold. Took 4 days and it was wonderful hard work and an awesome experience.

  • lorilee

    lorilee

    FABULOUS!!!!!

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks so much! I appreciate your viewing!

  • Hannah Fenton-Williams

    Hannah Fenton-...

  • Mary Campbell

    Mary Campbell

    What a fabulous capture, how exciting this must of been for you to be a part of this wonderful look into the past. Many photographic and artistic ideas I’m sure we’ll see from you. Great job and congratulations on the well deserved Challenge Top 10 Win. In my opinion it should of been number 1!

  • Susan Bergstrom replied

    Thanks so much Mary there is a whole series from beginning to end in my collection if you wanted to go through the whole experience some time…thanks for the wonderful comment…and yes it was the experience of a life time!

  • Rosemaree

    Rosemaree

    Very beautiful piece of art. It would fit perfectly into the cowboy/cowgirl art, equine athletes and horse at work groups.

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