On a hot early September day in 2008 I photographed a female Brown-headed Cowbird slurping stringy, watery mucous from the snout of a bison on Antelope Island.
1/200, f/11, ISO 200, Canon Rebel XTi, Canon 100-400 @ 235mm, not baited, set up or called in
The encounter with a bird was unexpected so my camera settings were adjusted for photographing large, slow-moving bison. As a result, at this slow shutter speed the wings and tail of the cowbird hovering in flight are very soft. I was just lucky that the rest of the bird was stationary and relatively sharp.
Despite its shortcomings, I always knew that this was a special image. I posted it to my blog as recently as three months ago but prior to that it had sat mostly stagnant in my files, largely forgotten by me and everyone else for over 15 years
Then a few months ago I was contacted by prolific nature author Frances Backhouse about using the photo in her new book about bison. Frances writes books mostly about nature for tweens and young teenagers. Her subjects have included grizzly bears, owls, beavers, woodpeckers and the history of the Alaska gold rush.
We negotiated a licensing fee for use of the image for a 10,000-copy publishing run of her new book, I sent her a higher resolution version of the photo and received my licensing fee and then I promptly forgot about it.
Until two days ago, when I received this complimentary copy of her new book, Bison – Community Builders and Grassland Caretakers. It’s an engaging book that celebrates the traditions and teachings of Indigenous Peoples regarding bison, looks at how bison lovers of all backgrounds came together to save these iconic animals and introduces young readers to some of the young people who are welcoming bison back home.
Frances and Orca Book Publishers made the 97 second video above as an introduction to Frances’ new book. In the video, out of the approximately 100 photos in the book taken by various photographers, Frances chose to discuss my “cowbird drinking bison snot” photo as her one and only teaser.
I take that as confirmation that Frances thinks my photo is special. As I always have.
But my greatest pleasure is having my photo used to educate young people in the ways of nature. After retiring from the classroom over 20 years ago, that’s a feeling of fulfillment I don’t get to experience nearly as often as I used to.
A substantial licensing fee for use of the photo is only icing on the buffalo chip.
Ron
Ron, thank you for this lovely post about how your thirsty cowbird photo ended up in my bison book. I do indeed think that photo is special and I greatly appreciated your willingness to license it to my publisher so we could share it with young readers. Grossness is always a great way to get kids engaged, and engagement is the first step in the journey of caring about, and for, nature. What luck for all of us that you had your camera with you when you spotted the snot-drinking cowbird and managed to capture it action.
Thanks for chiming in, Frances. After watching your video, and now this, I almost feel like I know you.
Consider it an honor. The photo was VERLY UNUSUAL -and kids would love it – or get grossed out over it. Congratulations! You earned it.
“kids would love it – or get grossed out over it.”
That’s probably why many kids would love it – the perceived grossness. Thanks, Judy.
I am thrilled for you. And for the generation of children who will learn from this book. Perhaps the Cowbird will become a spark bird for some of them. I hope so. I really hope so.
Thanks, EC.
Cowbirds could use some more fans. Because of their parasitic habits, they’re one of the most despised birds in North America. Personally, I don’t think that’s fair. Hating cowbirds for their natural brood parasitic habits is akin to hating raptors because they’re carnivores.
What a great teaser!! So glad you’re being compensated appropriately. Although I don’t think I would put it on my fridge…
It certainly is wonderful fodder for juvenile curiosity!
“Although I don’t think I would put it on my fridge.”
I’m sure most others would agree, Burrdoo. Except those that REALLY wanted to lose weight.
Awesome!
Thanks.
While the picture made me uncomfortable, congratulations on getting it in the book! You continue to teach. 😊
Thanks, Laurie. Not too uncomfortable, I hope.
Fabulous story! And a lesson for all the unethical photo stealers out there – the correct way to use someone else’s art. It is a wonderful photo!
“the correct way to use someone else’s art.”
Exactly Carolyn. Frances and her publishers were professional about it all the way, in sharp contrast to the shady shenanigan’s photographers too often have to deal with.
As a writer, I also have to deal with shady shenanigans, so I appreciate you raising awareness about respecting creators’ copyright.
Congratulations on the well-deserved recognition of your photo, both the publishing and being the subject of the teaser video. It’s definitely a special photo, even if it’s a little unappetizing 😊And it’s always great to see celebrations of bison.
Thanks, Bill. I agree about celebrations of bison.
Well, that title is enough to make me forego breakfast, so I think Michael’s on to something with his refrigerator magnet idea! 😑
But what a wonderful book to be part of—congratulations to you for a well-deserved honor, and to Ms Backhouse for her pursuit of a photograph that is, truly, one-of-kind in describing relationships that exist between bison and their environment. I do wonder, though, what text she might have entered into the search engine to find it? “Uses for bison snot,” perhaps. 😉
“I do wonder, though, what text she might have entered into the search engine to find it?”
Chris, my guess would be that she used both “bison snot” and “bison mucus”. Might as well cover both bases.
It was something like that, but I wouldn’t have even thought to search for the photo if I hadn’t read about it in a superb book: “The Ecological Buffalo” by Wes Olsen and Johane Janelle. They didn’t include Ron’s photo in their book, but described it and provided enough info that I was able to track it down.
Frances, thanks for describing how you tracked down my photo. I always wonder about things like that – when you think about it, the possibilities are almost endless.
Love that you’re still teaching kids about biology! I’m grinning ear-to-ear just thinking about it!
This shot is one of my favorites of your bison repertoire. So glad it’s getting out to a wider audience! 💜 (Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a book to order. 😃)
Thanks, Marty. When you get it, look for something familiar on page 37.
One retired teacher to another, congratulations!
“One retired teacher to another…”
Yup, I’m sure you get it, Suzanne. Thanks.
Congratulations, Ron! What a special honor and so well deserved.
It is, indeed, a most memorable photo!
Thank you, Nanci. Glad you like it.
Wow great story Ron. I might just get a copy of that book. Looks
very interesting. Never really liked our Brown-headed Cowbirds, but after looking at that drinking habit even less. I am familiar with their parasitic reproduction and have seen one growing up here in a Warbler’s nest. We had a couple in one of our trees out front a few days ago.
Everett, one of my earliest introductions to the parasitic habits of cowbirds was years ago in Montana when I photographed adult Savannah Sparrows feeding cowbird chicks that were nearly 3 times their size.
Yayyy, Ron! I am going to order this book for a couple of nerdy, nature-y kids I know. I’m always pleased when I can find something they don’t already have – and I bet they don’t have this one yet.
I’ll tell the publisher you sent me. 😀 Congratulations! Well deserved.
Ellen, I love “nerdy, nature-y kids”.
I hope they enjoy the book.
Thank you, Ellen. I hope they enjoy it.
Michael’s “diet” inspiration for your wonderful photo made me roar with laughter……the capture of that image is the best example I can
think of for the unexpected reward that longtime, wholehearted dedication to an art can bring to a practitioner—being there, seeing
a great opportunity, and having already developed the technical skill to seize it .Congratulations on all of the above– I salute you !
Thank you, Kris.
But it isn’t false modesty to say that I was mostly just lucky to get that shot. Back then I was just beginning my photography journey, so I was mostly stumbling in the proverbial dark. I guess sometimes when you stumble you land on an unexpected treasure.
Yuck for the content of the picture but GREAT that the photo is being used for educational purchases and you gain some income from it! 🙂
Diet inspiring indeed, Michael! #’s keep creeping up on me along with the years. 😉
Rhubarb Cobbler sounds yummy – ours isn’t “there” yet.
“ours isn’t “there” yet”
Judy, mine’s been “there” for several weeks so I feel guilty for not using any of it yet. That’ll change, and soon.
I’m going to get that to read to my grandson! Thank you for all that you do for education, as you continue to educate us with your photography and wisdom.
First, and most importantly, congratulations on having your unique educational photo chosen to be a part of this book. There is no doubt that you are truly an educator at your core.
Secondly, I think you have another marketing opportunity for this photo. This morning I woke up this Monday knowing that it is (again) the day I nervously swore I would begin my efforts to lose weight – very concerned that it would all fall apart by lunchtime. Then I saw the email with that title, and then the photo. I am certain if you were to make frig magnets of that photo you would make a mint, and be featured in one of Oprah’s next specials.
Thanks, Michael. Your last paragraph made me laugh, at least three times.
This probably won’t inspire you in your efforts. I’ve lost 12 pounds, but it’s taken me more than 6 months to do it. I’ve been resisting it but I plan on making rhubarb cobbler in the next day or two. Right now I have oodles of rhubarb in my garden but it won’t be at its prime for much longer. Knowing me I’ll gain at least 2 lbs. on that cobbler, with the mandatory ice cream on top.
Rhubarb is a vegetable, cobbler is fiber, and ice cream is mandatory. I see nothing wrong with this, Ron! Enjoy! 😉
You can count on it, Marty. I will.
Very cool!!
Thank you, Sue.