The Chronicler of the Wild: Tom Murphy’s Half-Century Love Affair with Yellowstone’s Bison

For over five decades, photographer Tom Murphy has been the silent observer of the American West’s most iconic landscape: Yellowstone National Park. While his lens has traversed the globe—from the frost-bitten expanses of the Arctic to the vibrant biodiversity of the African tropics—Murphy’s artistic heartbeat remains firmly anchored in the geothermal valleys and rugged terrain of Yellowstone. Now, in a landmark moment for his career, Murphy is cementing his legacy through a collaboration with the conservation organization Yellowstone Forever, culminating in a profound new book, Yellowstone Bison: Return of the Last Wild Herd, and the unique honor of seeing his work immortalized on a United States Postal Service "Forever" stamp.

A Legacy Written in Light and Fur

Tom Murphy is not merely a photographer; he is a witness. His career spans the transition of wildlife photography from a niche pursuit to a global obsession. Having called the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem home for more than 50 years, Murphy has witnessed firsthand the fluctuations in the park’s wildlife populations, the shifting climate, and the enduring resilience of its most famous inhabitants: the bison.

His new publication, Yellowstone Bison: Return of the Last Wild Herd, serves as a dual-narrative project. Murphy provides the visual soul of the book, while Chris Geremia, a biologist with two decades of experience managing the National Park Service’s bison program, provides the intellectual backbone.

"It’s a really nice relationship," Murphy says of his partnership with Geremia. "He is a smart guy, and I truly enjoyed the interchange of trying to illustrate what he understands from his scientific studies. By the time readers are done with the text, they are going to know a profound amount about bison and understand more readily why I have been so captivated by them for so long."

Chronology of a Species: From Brink to Abundance

The story of the Yellowstone bison is one of the most remarkable conservation narratives in human history. To understand the significance of Murphy’s work, one must look back at the precipice of extinction the species once faced.

• Pre-1900s: Bison once roamed across the North American continent, from the Arctic to the Mexican border. By the late 19th century, overhunting and habitat destruction had reduced the continental population to a handful of survivors.
• Early 1900s: Yellowstone National Park became the final sanctuary for the species. At the nadir of their existence, the wild herd within the park was reduced to approximately two dozen individuals.
• The 20th Century: Through rigorous protectionist policies and dedicated human intervention, the population began a slow, grueling recovery.
• The Modern Era: Today, the herd stands at an estimated 5,300 individuals. It remains the only continuously free-ranging, wild bison population in the world that dates back to the prehistoric era.

When Murphy began his photographic journey in the region, the population hovered around 1,500. Watching that number climb to over 5,000 has been, for Murphy, the privilege of a lifetime.

The Roots of an Obsession: South Dakota to Yellowstone

Murphy’s fascination with the American bison predates his professional photography career. Born and raised on a 7,500-acre cattle ranch in South Dakota, he spent his youth literally walking over history.

"There were bison signs all over our ranch," Murphy recalls. "About a hundred years before I was born, there were still bison walking around. I would dig up skulls and horn shells laying in the grass. There were ancient trails, some ten or fifteen feet deep, carved into the earth by generations of bison migration."

These childhood discoveries—the physical echoes of a vanished megafauna—instilled in him a sense of wonder that would eventually drive him to move to Yellowstone. He didn’t move there for the fame or the photography; he moved for the wildness. He saw in the bison not just an animal, but a testament to the endurance of the land itself. "They are an intriguing animal," he says. "They have these unusual, powerful shapes that seem to have been carved by the very landscapes they inhabit."

The Art of the "Three Levels" of Wildlife Photography

Murphy’s approach to photography is highly systematic, rooted in a philosophy that prioritizes depth over superficial beauty. He categorizes his work into three distinct levels of "durability," a framework that has guided his selection process for his latest book.

1. The Aesthetic Portrait

The first level is the straightforward, beautiful photograph. While valuable, Murphy admits it is the simplest form of documentation. "I shoot these, and there are some in the book," he notes. It is a necessary foundation, but it rarely captures the spirit of the subject.

2. The Narrative Action

The second level involves an animal doing something specific. It doesn’t need to be a high-octane chase; it simply needs to tell a story. Murphy cites his viral image of a bison covered in ice as the perfect example. "That was just her and I out there, right after sunrise, 35 years ago," he says. "She wasn’t suffering; she was enduring. That image captures resilience and toughness—it tells the story of survival."

3. The Contextual Masterpiece

The final, most difficult level is the intersection of subject, environment, and light. These are the images where the animal and the landscape are inseparable. Murphy’s cover shot for Yellowstone Bison—a cow standing on the runoff of the Grand Prismatic Spring at 20-below zero—is the culmination of this philosophy. "She was keeping warm from the steam," Murphy explains. "It says everything about the bison, the geography of Yellowstone, and the harsh beauty of winter."

The Discipline of "Murphy’s Luck"

When asked about the secret to his longevity and the quality of his portfolio, Murphy is quick to dismantle the idea of "luck." He references the old photography adage: "f/8 and be there." However, for Murphy, "being there" is a lifetime commitment.

"People talk about ‘Murphy’s Law,’ where everything that can go wrong will go wrong," he laughs. "I don’t subscribe to that. I subscribe to ‘Murphy’s Luck’—you make your own luck. You have to be there, you have to be ready, you have to pay attention, and you have to be knowledgeable."

His process is the antithesis of the "shoot-and-go" tourist mentality. He believes that a true body of work requires years of immersion. Where a casual visitor might think they can capture the essence of a place in a week, Murphy argues that it takes decades to truly understand the rhythm of a park like Yellowstone. This commitment has allowed him to build a "castle of memories," a collection of images that serves as an archive for future generations.

Implications for Conservation and Education

The release of Yellowstone Bison: Return of the Last Wild Herd arrives at a pivotal moment. As climate change continues to alter the ecosystems of the American West, the reliance of these animals on the geothermal features of the park becomes increasingly important.

By partnering with Yellowstone Forever, Murphy is ensuring that his work serves a greater purpose than mere aesthetic appreciation. The book is designed to be an educational tool, bridging the gap between scientific observation and emotional connection. The inclusion of his work on a U.S. Postal Service stamp further elevates the status of the bison, placing this symbol of American wilderness into the hands of millions.

"I’ve been intrigued by these bison for 50 years," Murphy concludes. "It feels like people are finally starting to catch on that they are an amazing critter."

Conclusion: A Career Defined by Pursuit

Tom Murphy’s career is a testament to the power of patience. In an era of instant digital gratification, his work stands as a reminder that the best images—and the best stories—cannot be rushed. He has spent his life chasing light, weather, and the untamed spirit of the bison.

As he looks back on 50 years of "pursuing beauty," Murphy remains as captivated as ever. His archive, consisting of over 6,000 distinct bison photographs in his Lightroom catalog, is not just a collection of files; it is a biography of a species that was almost lost to history, brought back to life through the grit of conservation and the dedication of a photographer who never stopped looking.

Yellowstone Bison: Return of the Last Wild Herd is available for purchase now, offering readers a rare, front-row seat to the life of the last wild herd through the eyes of a man who has truly seen it all.