jacki long: Day 4862: Random Thoughts & Yellowstone Iconic Bison.

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Day 4862: Random Thoughts & Yellowstone Iconic Bison.

"If only ...": ink brush & watercolor

Want music?

Click: Stephanie Mills, I Feel Good All Over.

Before I got out of bed this morning I was thinking of the tiny miracles that happen daily. They are there and happen all the time. I just decided not to take them for granted, but to try to notice each and every one. It could be as small as not spilling my orange juice when I inadvertently brushed too close this morning. I exhaled with relief, then said thank you. I think these tiny blessing happen all through our day for all of us, but maybe we go on with our important stuff and forget to be grateful. I just had another as I wrote this.

A major genetic milestone at Yellowstone National Park! After approximately 100 years of separate movements, the park's two distinct bison herds—the Northern herd and the Central/Southern herd—have merged to become one single, continuous population. 

Historically, the separation resulted from early 20th-century conservation efforts when the bison population was critically low. Using genetic analysis, scientists have now confirmed that the original genetic divide between the two groups has effectively disappeared.

This ecological merger is excellent news for conservation. It means the bison population, which is the oldest and largest public herd in the U.S., is now genetically healthier and potentially more resilient to future environmental threats like disease and climate change. This represents a significant step in the species' ongoing recovery.