23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Tongue Out on the Plains

A close-up of a bison captures both its strength and its surprising playfulness. Set against the rolling green prairie near Valentine, Nebraska, the giant’s dark, woolly fur contrasts with the soft grassland light. Its tongue curls mid-motion, adding a touch of humor to an image that otherwise radiates the quiet majesty of America’s Great Plains.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2025
Date Uploaded: 10.2025
Photo Location: Valentine, Ne, United States of America
Copyright: © Chantelle Kincy