Daddy's Christmas Angel

Monday, April 29, 2013

Y is for Yellowstone Buffalo - A Painting a Day

A to Z Challenge

"Yellowstone Buffalo" - acrylic painting ©Mary Montague Sikes


Today's painting is "Y" is for Yellowstone Buffalo. Several years ago, we spent almost two weeks exploring Yellowstone National Park. Wild buffalo roamed everywhere. They often stopped traffic through the park as they lumbered across the roads--sometimes pausing for a while there. Although there were warnings to be cautious because of the danger of being gored by these animals, people still jumped from their cars to take photos. I took the reference photo for this painting through the car window of a buffalo lying by the side of the road.

There are approximately 4200 wild buffalo in Yellowstone National Park. Compare that to the tens of millions that once roamed free across the plains of our country. Imagine people shooting these animals from trains long ago and decimating the buffalo population. Stampeding buffalo herds were a big danger to wagon trains in the mid-1800s.

"Yellowstone Buffalo" is 8" x 10" acrylic on stretched canvas. It is the next to last art work in my Painting a Day for the A to Z Challenge.

11 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I like the shade of red you chose.
I haven't been to Yellowstone since I was a kid. Be curious how much the landscape has changed since then. Not that I would remember...

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Hope it hasn't changed much, Alex. That's a wonderful thing about our National Parks. Can you imagine what it would be like at the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone if we hadn't made them into Parks!!!?

Marian Allen said...

I LOVE it! This may be my favorite of the series, although it's hard to choose. :)

Marian Allen
Fantasies, mysteries, comedies, recipes

Nancy Jardine Author said...

It's a lovely painting!Nancy at Welcome to she said, he said


Bob Sanchez said...

Funny you should mention Yellowstone buffalo, Mary. My "Y" post is also on Yellowstone, and I included a photo of a buffalo. How could I not? It's such a distinctive feature of that gorgeous park.

By the way, I'm continually impressed by your daily paintings. Nice work!

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Marian, I'm glad you love it. Buffalo aren't real cuddly like some of the other animal creatures! Thanks for following!

Nancy, thank you, and thank you for visiting!

Bob, thanks! I'm on my way to visit your post!

Deb Betz said...

I love your color pallet!

What a great theme...


visiting from A~Z
www.wearinglemon.blogspot.com

Chuck said...

That is a great look in the buffalo's eye. I think you capture that feature best in all your paintings. Sad tale of the slaughter of these proud animals.

Is tomorrow a zebra :)

Grammy said...

Hi, I love the paintings you have done! As a descendant of the American Indians, the buffalo has always been dear to my heart. It is a part of the culture. Of course, I don't believe the Cherokee hunted the buffalo, since it was a plains animal, but still.... Best regards to you, Ruby

Betty Alark said...

Beautiful painting, Mary! I plan to come back and do a thorough trek of your blog! Its been nice to meet you and visit your blog! Your paintings are beautiful!

I've always had a fondness for the buffalo!

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Deb, thanks for your visit and comments. It's been fun!

Chuck, glad you like the eyes! You're right about the zebra!

Thank you, Ruby. How proud you must be to be a descendant of the Cherokees!

Betty, thank you for the compliment and for browsing my blog!