Wind Cave Prairie

The grass seemed so much greener and the clouds so much whiter, but it must have been my imagination or was it? This is Wind Cave National Park in Southern South Dakota and what a place it is. It was named for the cave which draws air in and exhales it due to atmospheric pressures. The wild grass prairie is truly spectacular and holds treasures far beyond what its name implies. Picture rolling hills dotted with
a fantastic herd of bison doing what bison do best like eating, rolling in the dust, butting heads, and of course creating little bison, it is an endless visual adventure. Loretta and I bravely set out on a dirt road hoping to mingle with a group of bison. We were trying to photograph any hidden traits that might arise when the bison were isolated. We came upon just such a group. I got out of our truck and set up my tripod about forty feet away from a large bull. Loretta set up close to the truck with a good view of me and the herd. The bull I was photographing was full of vigor and was trying to round up two large females which were not cooperating. Suddenly I heard Loretta holler, "WATCH OUT BEHIND YOU," another bull had circled around the camper and was charging me from behind. I scooped up my tripod which was holding a 500 mm lens and raced for the truck stepping into the open camper door just as the enraged bull went charging by. WARNING to all would be visitors on any game preserve or open range land, these are not tamed beasts they are wild and dangerous, treat them with respect.

Each fall the park service rounds up these animals and checks their health and culls the sick ones keeping the herd healthy. If you would like to learn more about Bison please visit the Bison on our Mammals page.

Pronghorn antelope which are splendidly adapted for life on the open prairie have also found a safe haven in Wind Cave and roam at will. Prairie dog towns are abundant and just sitting and watching their antics can make hours seem like just minutes, they are the clowns of the dust.

Wind Cave National Park has a common border with Custer State Park which extends north giving the impression of a much larger preserve. Just to the north of Custer, in all it's splendor, is Mount Rushmore National Memorial and one cannot go to Wind Cave and Custer without visiting this emotional monument.

Webster, back to Scenics.

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