Living full time in our motor home allows us to be Ready To Go. . .on to the next adventure!

Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco Skyline as seen from the Marin Headlands - California

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Wildlife–Custer State Park

Being able to see wildlife out in their natural habitat

has ruined the entire zoo experience for us. . .

It just doesn’t get any better than this. . .

Game Lodge Campground - Custer State Park

but first to get the Castle all situated at

Game Lodge Campground – Custer State Park

50A – electric only site

Wildlife Loop - Custer State Park

and then off to drive the Wildlife Loop – first sighting – Pronghorn (Antelope)

Deer - Wildlife Loop - Custer State Park

Deer – of course

Wild Burros - Wildlife Loop - Custer State Park

the Wild Burros

Wild Burros - Wildlife Loop - Custer State ParkWild Burros - Wildlife Loop - Custer State ParkWild Burros - Wildlife Loop - Custer State ParkWild Burros - Wildlife Loop - Custer State Park

several young ones. . .this one kicking up his heels. . .

and of course one beggar. . .

 

Buffalo - Wildlife Loop - Custer State Park

one sad lone buffalo. . .definitely male. . .banished I guess.

 

Deer - Fawn - Wildlife Loop - Custer State Park

and when we were almost back to the rig. . .this beautiful little fawn.

Of course you can tell this photo is cropped and pixelated. . .but still beautiful.

Squirrel

this chattery little squirrel at the campground. . .

 

But of course that’s not all. . .

the next day we were talking to the park host,

and told them we had not found the buffalo herd. . .

so he got on the radio, and got their location. . .

Fisherman Flats. . .here we go!

Buffalo - Wildlife Loop Road and Fisherman Flats

First, we found the buffalo traffic jam on Wildlife Loop Road. . .

Buffalo - Wildlife Loop Road and Fisherman Flats

having a really good scratch on the railing. . .ahh that feels good!

Buffalo - Wildlife Loop Road and Fisherman Flats

Buffalo - Wildlife Loop Road and Fisherman Flats

but. . .thanks to a fabulous park host and the ranger. . .

we know the secret place. . .

there are literally hundreds of them in every direction. . .

 

Buffalo - Wildlife Loop Road and Fisherman Flats

practicing?  LOL. . .looked a little young for the real thing.

Every year Custer State Park has a buffalo roundup. . .

the buffalo are auctioned off to private enterprises

to maintain the health of the herd. . .

 

I would think the rut would start pretty soon. . .

wonder if they schedule the roundup before that happens?

this year it will start on September 26. . .

wish we could be here to see it. . .

but alas. . .reservations must be made WAY in advance.

Buffalo - Wildlife Loop Road and Fisherman Flats

Buffalo - Wildlife Loop Road and Fisherman FlatsBuffaloBuffalo - Wildlife Loop Road and Fisherman Flats

these guys are massive

Buffalo - Wildlife Loop Road and Fisherman Flats

the head Mamba Jamba. . .trust me. . .he had the goods to prove it!

Buffalo - Wildlife Loop Road and Fisherman Flats

cute calf. . .

Buffalo - Wildlife Loop Road and Fisherman Flats

nothing interrupts nursing time. . .

Buffalo - Wildlife Loop Road and Fisherman Flats

rubbing, and rubbing, and rubbing his little nubs against the dirt bank. . .

they must have been itching

Buffalo - Wildlife Loop Road and Fisherman Flats

ain’t nothing like a good dust bath. . .

 

but that’s still not all. . .

Wild Turkey

driving the Needles Highway on Wednesday,

we see this turkey with her brood, which are not visible. . .

Bighorn Sheep

and then, once again. . .almost back to the campground. . .

there are a herd of Bighorn Sheep grazing on the lawn at the General Store. . .

Bighorn Sheep - Custer State Park

this guy doesn’t seem very old. . .but he was definitely in charge of his wimmen. . .ha ha!

What a fabulous time we’ve had at Custer State Park. . .

this is ONLY the wildlife we’ve seen. ..

We still haf’ta show you the Iron Mountain and Needles Highway. . .

absolutely spectacular. . .

 

See you next time on the Iron Mountain Highway. . .

so we can show you our spectacular views of Mt Rushmore. . .

‘til then,

Janice and Dave

 

 

 

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