This image was also taken last week at Yellowstone National Park with my new Sony A1ii and Sony 400-800 lens. As with the other two images submitted to this contest, the challenge was using this new camera and lens for the first time, just 5 days after cataract surgery. Minimal post processing in LR. In reviewing this image, I was intrigued with each bison's movement and leg position.
Images of bison in Yellowstone, including the three images submitted to this contest, carry a particular weight in modern conservation photography, given their near extinction and recovery story.
In summary, modern cameras such as the Sony A1ii can capture these powerful animals at settings that would have been impossible decades ago. The image stabilization and advanced metering system help handle the challenge of exposure of a dark animal against bright water. Modern digital sensors are capable of capturing detail in both shadows and highlights.