Buffalo with Calf

We saw at least 200 buffalo in Badlands National Park today (a thousand are reputed to be here), mainly in two areas at least ten miles apart. I captured this adult and calf a bit before mom (or dad?) took a brief dust bath and both moved away, the calf trotting ahead.

We have now been in the park over 48 hours, roaming about constantly; it has been utterly fascinating. There is an incredible variety of geological formations, resulting from very soft sedimentary rock and an a high rate of erosion, despite extreme dryness.

Yesterday I promised a representative blip, but this one was irresistible, and I still have one more day to do a worthy one. Today was a good day for birds-above all sparrows, as well as innumerable meadowlarks, flickers and mountain bluebirds.