Custer State Park, SD

Drove the Wildlife Loop in the park and encountered rangers herding the buffalo, including this young one. It's been interesting learning about these creatures.

Not posted because of the wind noise, a 25" video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La3qvyMiJsc

From a sign in the park » “Commonly called 'buffalo,' bison (Bison bison) are North America's largest land mammal…

“Sometimes called 'Lord of the Plains,' the buffalo is a unique animal. A mature bull can stand up to six feet high at the shoulder and weigh nearly a ton. Looking very docile as they graze on the open prairie, buffalo can outrun a horse and turn with amazing agility. … The Custer State Park herd averages about 1,450 animals after the calves are born. The herd is reduced to about 950 animals by public auction.

“… During the roundup in October, the herd is brought into the corrals, calves are branded and females are vaccinated; approximately 500 animals are sorted for sale stock and then tested to meet state livestock regulations.

“The bison that will remain in the park are released. Sale stock remain in the corrals until the auction on the third Saturday of November.

“Buyers come from all over the United States and Canada to purchase bison from the park for breeding stock or for slaughter.”

1 year ago (“High chair”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2015-04-25
2 years ago (“Sunset at the lake”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2014-04-25
3 years ago (“Crown of Thorns”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-04-25
4 years ago (“Snap dragons in the morning”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-04-25
5 years ago (“Lambert-St. Louis International Airport”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-04-25

[ IMG_0418S9x12Atm :: f/7.1 :: 1/250" :: ISO-200 :: 100mm ]

[MaryBeth Dailey]

This is fabulous and feels like a film shot. Love it

[Thom Mitchell]

@espyetta Here's the 25" video I shot with lots of wind noise — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La3qvyMiJsc

[Danette Thompson]

How cool to see.

[Ellen E]

He looks very sweet. Nice portrait.

[Ellen E]

Hmmmm...Custer State Park...I just planned a whole trip around Mount Rushmore...I picked Badlands National Park. Maybe I need this one too...

[Thom Mitchell]

@ellen We skipped Badlands; it was too far from our "base" in Keystone. Needles Highway & the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park were fantastic! When's your trip??