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.