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Tom Murphy's 40-Year Bison Photography Culminates in New Book

publication · 2026-07-13

Tom Murphy, a wildlife photographer residing near Yellowstone National Park for more than 50 years, has unveiled a new publication titled 'Yellowstone Bison: Return of the Last Wild Herd.' Co-written with Chris Geremia, a biologist who has overseen the park's bison for two decades, the 244-page book combines Murphy's stunning photographs with Geremia's scientific expertise. It seeks to inform readers about bison biology and their remarkable resilience. Currently, Yellowstone hosts the only continuously free-ranging wild bison population globally, estimated at 5,300, which has rebounded from near extinction a century ago when merely two dozen survived. Murphy, with a portfolio exceeding 6,000 bison images, believes that impactful wildlife photography tells deeper narratives, like a bison enduring extreme cold. The book retails for $59.99.

Key facts

  • Tom Murphy has photographed Yellowstone's bison for over 40 years.
  • His new book 'Yellowstone Bison: Return of the Last Wild Herd' is co-authored with Chris Geremia.
  • The book is 244 pages, published in conjunction with Yellowstone Forever.
  • Yellowstone has the only continuously free-ranging wild bison population in the world.
  • Current bison population in Yellowstone is about 5,300, up from ~1,500 when Murphy started photography.
  • A century ago, bison were down to about two dozen individuals.
  • Murphy's work includes a USPS stamp and over 6,000 bison photographs.
  • Murphy's viral photo shows a bison covered in frost at 30-below zero.
  • Murphy grew up on a cattle ranch in South Dakota, finding bison bones.
  • The book is available for $59.99.

Entities

Artists

  • Tom Murphy

Institutions

  • Yellowstone Forever
  • National Park Service
  • United States Postal Service
  • PetaPixel

Locations

  • Yellowstone National Park
  • United States
  • South Dakota
  • Africa
  • Antarctica
  • Arctic
  • Yosemite National Park
  • Okavango Delta

Sources