Roving Titan: Honoring the Bison of Woolaroc and the Osage Hills
Roving Titan
Tucked into the rolling hills of northeastern Oklahoma lies Woolaroc Wildlife Preserve and Museum, a sanctuary of Western heritage, wild landscapes, and enduring symbols of America’s natural past. It was here, among the tall grasses and quiet woodlands of the Osage Hills, that I photographed the subject of my latest fine art print - a lone American bison, steady and composed, embodying both stillness and strength.
I’ve titled this piece “Roving Titan”, a tribute to the bison’s immense presence and roaming legacy across the Great Plains.
The Legacy of Woolaroc
Woolaroc was founded in the 1920s by oilman Frank Phillips as a private retreat and working ranch. Today, the wildlife preserve spans over 3,700 acres and houses over 30 species of native and exotic wildlife, including elk, longhorns, and one of the largest privately maintained herds of American bison. The museum, located near the original ranch house, holds artifacts and art that reflect the American West, Native cultures, and frontier history. It is a place where land, history, and spirit converge.
The Bison and the Osage People
For the Osage Nation, whose ancestral lands encompass this region, the bison holds sacred meaning. It provided not only food, shelter, and clothing, but also represented abundance, strength, and spiritual balance. The near-extinction of the bison in the 19th century, through colonization and westward expansion, mirrored the disruption of Native life. Yet the bison has endured, much like the cultures that once relied on it, becoming a living symbol of survival and renewal.
About the Print: “Roving Titan”
This portrait captures the bison’s commanding presence against the soft green of the Woolaroc landscape. Its textured fur and focused gaze seem to hold generations of resilience. For me, this image isn’t just wildlife photography but a visual echo of a deeper American story. One that deserves remembrance.
“Roving Titan” is now available as a fine art print and is ideal for collectors who appreciate wildlife, American heritage, and photographic storytelling rooted in place.
