Tom Murphy, Wildlife Photographer -543

Tom Murphy, a wildlife photographer from South Dakota, shares how a childhood on a cattle ranch led him to become one of the world’s foremost chroniclers of Yellowstone’s wild landscapes. His 14-day solo ski traverse across the park in 1985—covering 175 miles through the backcountry—was a landmark journey, one of the first of its kind, and reflects his deep commitment to experiencing wilderness on its own terms. Now, with over 50 backcountry ski trips and thousands of miles logged, Murphy’s mission is to tell the authentic stories of animals like bison, grizzly bears, and wolves without human interference, using long telephoto lenses to maintain respectful distance. His work has reached a national stage: a photograph of a young bison in Yellowstone was selected for a U.S. commemorative postage stamp marking America’s 250th anniversary—an honor shared with only a handful of contemporary photographers. The stamp features a striking visual contrast between his modern image and a 1923 Smithsonian-drawn bison, underscoring the enduring cultural and ecological significance of the species. Murphy also reflects critically on the challenges facing national parks, from over-tourism and ignorance to the fragility of the Endangered Species Act, emphasizing that protection ultimately depends on personal responsibility.