I'm in Sheridan, Wy tonight, will be in Scottsbluff tomorrow night, and home sweet home Thursday night. Got up this morning and decided it was just time to head home.
Some adult Bison photos
These two guys tussled briefly. Ended just as quickly as it began
The rest of the Bison photos are here
Internet connection is cranky, so I don't think I'll even attempt to put up the rest of the photos from the National Bison Range.
Plans are what you make until you know what you've done.
I had planned to spend only one day at the National Bison Range. Since plans had already been totally upended, after yesterday at the Bison Range, I extended my stay in Missoula for one more day. So instead of heading east today, I will now head east tomorrow. Plans will be adjusted as I go.
Last year I decided I wanted to go to Theodore Roosevelt NP so I could try my hand at photographing Bison calves. That trip didn't work out. Did make it this year, and although I saw the calves, they were well out of camera range. Well, I hit the jackpot at the Bison Range.
I love the little nubs where the horns will be and the tongue, too
This little guy had an itch he just had to scratch
Walking with dad or mom
Spent part of the day in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Have throughly enjoyed the park. Was thinking today, if I could only go to Badlands NP or Theodore Roosevelt NP, which one would I pick. The scenery is similar, ie. badlands. Badlands NP is flatter, and the road is straighter, Theodore Roosevelt is hillier, and the road is not nearly so straight.
My final decision was Theodore Roosevelt NP. There are plenty of visitors, but not the hordes that there were in the Badlands. Makes it easier to stop in unauthorized places and take a photo or two. Getting to either park before school is out would probably revise visitor numbers down some, but there were plenty of old geezers like me, so it might not make that much difference. I do think the scenery is slightly more dramatic, and there are far more animals to photograph. The last one is probably what swung the vote to TRNP.
Saw more Bison. This guy was really shaggy and he looked different from the others in this mini-herd. I suspect he is not an adult, though he certainly wasn't a calf. Right after I got this photo, he ambled across the road right behind my car and rubbed and rubbed on one of the posts holding up the guard rail. Guess he had an itch!
Friday I saw a mini-herd of feral horses up on a hill. Today they were down by the road, and that allowed for close up photos. These two mares seemed to be enjoying a few quiet moments without their colts nearby.
The rest of the critter pictures are here.
I went through Arby's drive through to pick up their Chicken Cordon Bleu (mmmm) for dinner on the way back to the motel. Noticed this sign, and couldn't resist the urge to photograph it.
Moving north and west tomorrow to Plentywood, MT
Well, I made it through all the critter photos, deleted the junk, picked and chose the ones I think are the best, and got them uploaded to the photo site. So, here are the one's I like the best.
Photographed this Lark sparrow very early in my time at the park. So early, that I kind of forgot about getting his photo. I think Lark sparrows are the prettiest of the sparrows.
Aw, Mom, I love ya (Prairie dogs)
Feral horses reside in the park. After taking a bunch of photos of this herd, I realized the grungy white pickup also parked in the pullout was a guvment vehicle. So I talked to the Ranger for a couple of minutes. She verified that this was one of several mini-herds of feral horses in the park
Check out the nasty scar on the shoulder of this feral horse
Then there were the Bison. Look at the tongue this guy has!
The rest of the critter photos are here
Not even going to tackle the scenery photos this now morning.
When you enter Ft. Niobrara NWR, you almost immediately cross the Niobrara River and see this small man made waterfall
After driving through the refuge you again cross the Niobrara River and you can see one of the few natural waterfalls, Berry Falls. Canoing is a very popular activity.
Birds and critters seen on the refuge today included this Upland Sandpiper
This Common nighthawk tolerated my sitting and watching him and the clicking of my camera for quite awhile. He finally voiced his disapproval by squawking loudly. I captured him with his mouth wide open
Seems like the Prairie dogs are almost always willing to pose
There are about 350 Bison on the refuge. They weigh about 2,000 pounds. This was one big boy!
