A True Sunday Drive

Sunday the 9th we headed around wildlife loop in search of animals. It was a beautiful partly cloudy day perfect for photography. I haven’t done much landscape photography this trip so I thought maybe we can do some of that today. There are a series of hairpin turns heading down onto the wildlife loop.

Roy pulled off in a turn out and I got a few pictures showing some of the vastness of the park. The dirt road you see is Oak Draw Rd, this is sometime where you can see buffalo also.

We had a little bit of a surprise rounding a curve we come upon some stopped cars, thinking oh it is probably prairie dogs because we were in that area of the park. Turns out it was the begging burros.

I enjoy watching little kids interacting with the burros. I am not sure if this little one was enjoying it or just a little nervous about touching the burro. We stuck around for a short time watching them pose and do selfies with the burros. But we headed off for more of our Sunday drive. Buffalos were waiting for us somewhere we hoped.

At the other end of wildlife loop rd. where we hadn’t seen buffalo this year, there they were. I think this Sunday drive was a drive full of oddities. We were near the middle of the line of cars waiting to move ahead and get around the buffalo. We had been waiting awhile with no movement in sight, it was then we saw what we thought at the time to be stupid people trying to get selfies. This was not the case.

It turns out that the holdup was not stupid people but bikers who were having some tire issues. Not something I’d want to have happen surrounded by buffalo. In the video you can see the bikers walking and standing off to the side of the road.

Speaking of bikers and buffalo it is interesting to see the wide berth the bikes do give a buffalo who has decided to stand in the road and not move, so you must go around. I know sometimes when they are that close, I get nervous. I don’t think I could be brave enough to do it on a bike.

We inch our way through the buffalo and decide now we can get back up to speed and head back to the trailer only to be stopped in our tracks by this buffalo who was going nowhere fast. Roy did end up going around him after a short time.

Sometimes you just have to take your time and drive like you are out on that Sunday drive.

Open Windows

Yes, it happened again. No kisses or attempted kisses, she just wanted to let me know she would like an apple. The begging burros were at it again. This is the first time that one has actually stuck their head inside the car. I froze but I will say I’ve come a long way. You can judge for yourself by these two photos. The first photo was from our trip in 2013. I was terrified and Roy I think bribed me with maybe ice cream or something later. That’s my story at least. The second photo is this year when one of the burros probably, the same white burro or a relative of the white burro who terrorized me previously stuck his head in. If you look closely in my right hand you will see a piece of apple. I did feed him, and I wasn’t as scared as I was in 2013.

I have never understood some of the irrational fears that I have. Birds, trains, animals that can’t eat me but are friendly. I am getting better with all of these. (I however will not get over my fear of helicopters.) I’ve gone from bowling for burros as a way to feed them (see photo) to gingerly handing the piece of apple to them and quickly pulling the hand back.

The funny thing is Roy enjoys and gets a kick out of the burros. This is a picture of him from 2013. If you notice I am safely in the car. It is enjoyable seeing him twinkle and smile as he is exploring the animals up close. I on the other hand will sit back and continue to take photos of them.

This year Roy commented about how soft the lips and mouth was on the burro. He also said that they don’t bite they are just interested in the food you have. (Apples are what we feed them). I still am not buying that. Maybe one day I might get a tad braver. I think both Roy and the burro enjoyed the encounter.

the burro wasn’t finished

I do like to sit and watch just how other people interact with the burros. The video on the right has a person with an empty bag being followed by a burro. The burro was not buying that the bag was empty even though the person showed him.

These burros are friendly and fun. Who knows maybe by the end of the summer I will look like Roy when I feed them.

When we don’t see buffalo

We hunt locations for milky way and moonshots. This was what we did and I was able to get practice in on my camera. The lake we discovered is Lakota Lake, right around the corner. So, it is a short drive. We pull up and there were geese with young goslings just feeding on the grass. Of course when I lift my camera they do start to run.

I was able to navigate near the shore and capture this goose trying to be a flamingo. I told him that was a good impression but you don’t have the right color to be a flamingo. I don’t know if my new bird I see everywhere on our travels has changed from a Magpie to a Red Wing Blackbird, because they are everywhere.

After heading back towards the car I was able to be still enough and watch the geese return

We decided to find out if it was worth trying to photograph Mount Rushmore from the tunnels today seeing I had the energy. This is from one of the pullouts in the park that you can see Mount Rushmore. We voted to get up early one morning and do the tunnels.

On Wildlife loop we saw some pronghorns just playing near the corrals so I set about snapping pictures.

The next day we decided to head into town and drop off laundry. (yes, I drop off my laundry so I have more time for pictures.) On the way we stopped by the lake that I use for milky way shots to see if it would work for a moon rise shot. It might if there is no one on the beach that evening. This gave the osprey the right amount of time to catch a fish, which we didn’t see. We saw him circling and waiting for a place to land. Even though it was just a trip to the laundry I grabbed my whole camera bag. Glad I had because my bazooka lens was needed because he was way up in the tree.

I also have some news my brother Dave and my sister-in-law Candi are here for a week. We have Mount Rushmore and Reptile Gardens in the near future.

Don’t make eye contact.

Ever since we caught the big boy on the side of the road where he was scratching the tree, and I looked deep into his eye he is now stalking me. It has been funny. We had not seen any of the old big males that live separate from the herd. I guess grumpy old men are like buffalos then.

Since I locked eyes with this buffalo every time we travel down this particular road, there he is. It doesn’t matter if we are coming or going. He will just walk down the middle of the road like he owns it. He is large enough I am getting more comfortable when he walks on by. We did watch him head butt a truck gently. When he does walk by us he sways with no cares in the world.

Then one time he had to stop for a drink of water from a puddle in front of us. Each time I see him I am in awe of how large he is.

I am loading the numerous dashcam videos we’ve taken of him this past week. on this page You will see in one of the videos it looks like we are following him off the road. We were pulling off in the pullout to answer the phone. He just decided to leave the road. The dash cam has added hours of fun road side happenings to this trip.

You have buffalo breath

That is what I told the buffalo I came face to face with. I’m in the car minding my own business. Ok, I was taking pictures. I’m focusing in my zone, I’m aware of nothing but me my camera and the buffalo. Well all of a sudden I can’t focus on this buffalo. I’m thinking why. I look up at this time and not more than three feet away, I see the face of this buffalo. To answer your question. NO I did not take a picture. My mind shut down and said holy crap. The look on the buffalo’s face was you don’t look like me. What led up to this meeting was another buffalo crossing.

This time when we pulled up to see the buffalo they were far enough off that people were standing on the side of the road gawking.

I’m not brave enough for that yet. They can still move quite fast. Today the buffalo were hanging more to the side of the road.

big guy

I am thinking this guy was the one who scared me.

The babies are getting bigger and more bold. Today they were not as crowding as they were the other day.

We stopped and ate dinner at Blue Bell before the rain came again and when we left it was starting to get foggy and dark so I almost left my camera put away. Here is another example of following your gut and being reminded by Roy. Camera went on lap. I was treated to one of the big boys rubbing on a tree right next to the road. These boys are older nomads and they usually have a territory they call their own. He was just scenting his.

scratch the itch.

I love the fact that he ignored me and just enjoyed scratching his itch. I also love the tongue. I know these are a little dark but he was close.

What a great way to end a day of close encounters with the buffalo.

Buffalo on Parade

They sure were and we were the end float in the parade. It was funny we try and do the wildlife loop in Custer State Park at least a couple times a week. I like being one directional when we do the loop in the same direction every time. Once in a while Roy will change directions. I am so glad he does, I also think he has a direct line to the head buffalo. This day we happened to be first in line behind the herd. Most of the action was in front of the car and was captured on the dash cam. (best $100 buy ever).

Don’t Argue

The first complete stop occurred when this little calf decided to come hang out in front of the car. Roy started to inch up to get it on its way. Mom was having nothing of the sorts as it was nursing time. I look over and this cow is snorting and huffing to get to her calf.

I do think the calf on the left was wondering if he could partake in a lunch break also.

drink up

It is amazing how a group that large moves with a single purpose and nothing else matters. I did try to get a few pictures of the action happening on the side of the road but it was more like where’s Waldo.

My efforts then turn to watching the road where we were treated to some more bonding of cow and calf. This video is titled ‘Enter stage right’

grand entrance

This little one was just brutal he was not giving up for anything.

mine

It was funny watching the head butts and the determination.

Heading down the road a little further we start getting crowded by the big guys. I am posting the video I took and then the dash cam and you can see why I was quite jerky. The buffalo was a tad close. I was thinking that might leave a mark.

close enough

With the action being active on the road I decided to add to my mirror pictures from a mirrorless camera, here are two of those.

After about a half hour we decided to move on down the road. As it seems the timing was perfect. We passed a mower that clips the weeds on the shoulder of the road going towards the buffalo.

I did not take odds on who won the battle.

I can enjoy these parades all the time.

Enter the Night

I love this time of year because I can explore my dark side. At least for a couple days of each month I turn into a night person and become allergic to the sun. Milky Way season. This year we tried a completely different place in Custer State Park to capture the Milky Way. So earlier in the day we checked it out and I was lucky to capture this red winged blackbird. I never did get a clear shot of him in flight. (I think he knew I had a camera and wanted his picture.)

There were also geese in the lake they even made an appearance in the middle of milky way shooting. Roy turned the car lights on to leave and they froze like deer in the headlights. Shooting at night at least for me adds an unreal fear of being eaten by big foot or at least being nudged by a deer. The funny thing is I do become super aware of every noise, water drop, or breeze.

The first night as always was like a little refresher. The night was perfectly clear so clear in fact I was able to get milky way reflections. We started at the lake and I got some reflections and free light painting compliments of a campfire and some car lights. I also was using a higher ISO and shorter shutter speed.

You can see in some of the pictures a mist lifting off the lake. This sight was super freaky in my opinion and the picture below doesn’t do it justice. This is me trying to get some light from the car to paint the lake, not the effect I wanted, still a cool photo IMO.

We decided to leave the lake and head over to Legion Lake which is where we shot last time. We did however move parking lots to get a different perspective. It is interesting how just a slight change of position can change the whole focus of a photo. Here are some pictures from the second stop of the night.

On the way out to hunt the lights we had a fox cross the road in front of us.

tiny guy

Then we were greeted by deer on our return home. Off on the side of the road we did see some elk.

deer me

The second night started off not looking good at all. We went to the lake first and the milky way was socked in. So as always I’m like that sucks let’s head home. Roy in his wisdom that I am starting to listen to more. (only took 30 years). First wanted to head around wildlife loop in the dark, I said no. This is right after we left the lake and had already spotted two deer in a matter of thirty seconds.

get outta the road

So then he says let’s stop at Legion Lake. We did and something wonderful happened the sky started to clear. That red in the picture is someone me who forgot to turn off her headlamp. So, once we saw that it was clearing, we headed back to where we started the night before.

After learning from the night before I changed where my camera was set up and did a few more portrait style inside of landscape.

Tonight, seemed extra quiet and every little noise had me thinking I was going to be eaten. I am so glad I didn’t make Roy take me home.

Two things he always says that are right.

You don’t know unless you go
Wait awhile things will change!

Two Straight Hours

No, I was not quiet for that long. What happened was we saw prairie dogs, burros, bison and big horn ship in that amount of time. I captured it all on dash-cam with a few photos to boot. It was one of those beautiful afternoons we went for a drive around wildlife loop, and I of course forgot the apples for the burros. This is only an 18-mile drive but each time we take it you see something different.

On wildlife loop we first came upon prairie dogs with 3 bison mixed in. The bison were some of the good old boys who just as happy to lay around alone. This area of the loop is covered with 100s of prairie dog burrows. This is where I entertained myself for hours last time we were here, I plan on doing that again. These guys are so dang cute. Check it out!

While we were hanging watching the prairie dogs I took another shot out the side mirror. She was taking pictures of the dogs, and I caught her looking at them on her cell phone

We had not seen any burros the whole trip, so I lost hope. The herd has had some difficulty in recent years, low birth rates and a malfunctioning jack. Hopefully that will change this year they added another jack and two jennies to the herd. This is what a ranger told me. Here is what Wikipedia says about Custer State Park

found them

The animal that everyone wants to see on the loop is of course the buffalo. That was clearly the case with this little girl. I never saw her face, but you could just tell from the way she stretched out the back window of her car.

Side note it is so cool to see people standing up and out of their sunroofs to catch sight of the animals. I will not do this because I can picture me getting stuck, and Roy laughing his butt off. Back to the story

they are big I tell you.

The herd of buffalo were everywhere even taking over the road. I think one of them was willing to play chicken with Roy or at least that is what it looks like here. Or he was pulling a Clint Eastwood on us saying ‘Go ahead make my day”.

After we got passed the traffic jam Roy did a u-turn which was cool. I can never get enough buffalo. If he hadn’t I would have missed this picture. I also would have missed the big horn sheep we saw.

As for the big horn sheep we also had not seen any yet. There is a spot in the road where they lick the salt from the winter that is left down the middle of the road. Sometimes like today they get stubborn and nothing you do will get them to move. I was however surprised at the amount and small size of the babies in the group. Here are two videos just to show you what we saw. In the first video there was some head butting going on. The second video does show they will move for motorcycles.

The treat was to see so many animals in such a short amount of time. I leave you with this photo of two babies and their mom. The looks are priceless.