Finally got to see some wildlife?

We left Rapid City SD last Sunday and arrived in Montrose Colorado on Tuesday.


Since I'm a few posts behind the following is still a day spent in the Rapid City area.

We visited the Wounded Knee Museum near Wall, SD.   The museum is small but very well done with tons of information about  this horrific event.  We wanted to visit the place where it took place but it was another 90 miles south and we didn't want to make that drive.


Since we were only about 25 miles away and I was so disappointed that I didn't see any wildlife when we where in Custer Park a few weeks ago that I urged Ron to take another drive through.   We drove the "Wildlife Loop" that we weren't able to do during our last visit.    I wasn't too keen about spending $15.00 to enter the park, again,  we lived in a state  that doesn't charge to enter state parks, so this is still foreign to us.    But we were glad we did.     Besides the beautiful scenery we did see some wildlife.

Burros stopping traffic, begging for food. These burros are descendants from the herd that once hauled visitors to the top of Harney Peak. The rides were discontinued years ago and the  burros were released into the park.  

They are so passive that I think it is staged.   This guy looks bored by the whole thing.

Don't worry...since they can reach 6 feet tall and weigh more than 2,000 pounds, we will keep our distance!

We knew we were getting closer to seeing buffalo.

Finally saw one close up.  However, he was more interested in eating then my photo opportunity. 

Taking a leisurely stroll across the road.

A herd of buffalo.  There was once millions of bison, blacking the horizon as they roamed and making a thundering noise as they moved over the prairie.  By 1900 it is estimated that fewer than 1,000 remained on the entire continent.  In 1914 what is now known as Custer State Park, purchased 36 bison to start its herd. By the 1940's the size of the herd had grown to over 2,500.   Each year a roundup takes place to adjust the numbers according to the predicted availability of grassland.  
The spring birthing season rejuvenates the herd  near 1,300.  

Pronghorn.  They are a really pretty animal.

Hope all is well!