Prairie Crocuses (Pasque Flowers) Herald Spring in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Where Is Spring?
Winter seemed to never end! Where, oh where was spring?! After a late spring snow, we went looking for it.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park Visitor Center, Medora, North Dakota
Visitor Center at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Medora, North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park Visitor Center
We checked into the visitor center of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Medora, North Dakota as we began our quest to find new life, signs of spring, in the south unit of the park. Color, especially green, was part of what we were after.
Red and Green. Spring! Theodore Roosevelt Nation Park, North Dakota April 2019 Identify plants here: http://bit.ly/2Jbdjfq
Buds of Spring! Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota April 2019
Where’s the Wildlife?
There was no wildlife listed on the wildlife announcement board in the lobby. When we inquired about the lack of entries, the ranger indicated they had received no reports from park visitors of wild life yet for the day. Specifically, we asked about bison calves. Had anyone reported any? Nope. None sighted yet, or at least not reported, by anyone! So. Our number one goal? To locate a brand new baby bison, the first of Spring 2019.
New Life! A Foal Among the First Band We Spotted! Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota April 2019
Wild Horses, Not Far Into Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota
Grazing. Grazing. Grazing!
Bison Strolls Along the Road. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota. April 2019
Bison. Everywhere!
Green! Spring at Last in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota Identify plants here: http://bit.ly/2Jbdjfq
At last, green plants! Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota April 2019 Identify plants here: http://bit.ly/2Jbdjfq
Explore Jones Creek Trail
Our hike of the day began at the east (north) trail head for Jones Creek Trail. As usual, we used the trailhead as a starting point, but we didn’t exactly stay on the trail. We prefer to hike across country, from point to point as we go. Before long, we found ‘green’ and we found ‘color’!
Red and Green. Spring! Theodore Roosevelt Nation Park, North Dakota April 2019 Identify plants here: http://bit.ly/2Jbdjfq
Prickly Pear Greening Up. It’s Spring! Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota April 2019
Budding New Life! April in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Wild Phlox in Spring in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota Identify park plants here:http://bit.ly/2Jbdjfq
Pasque Flowers About! Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota April 2019
Ant in the Warmth of a Prairie Crocus. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota April 2019 Read about Prairie Crocus (Pasque Flowers) here: http://bit.ly/2Jbdjfq
Thousands and thousands of Pasque Flowers (Prairie Crocus) across the grassy hillsides! Read about them here: Beautiful Flowers Herald Spring!
We Saw One!
We hiked to high point, after high point. We’re so glad we did! After reaching a high peak, which we determined should be our turn-around point and our picnic spot, we saw this!
Mom On Vigile. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Bison Calf Rouses From Sleep. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota April 2019
Calf Wakes Up From Nap, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota April 2019
Bison Calf!
One of the first bison calves of spring, Theodore Roosevelt National Park. April 22, 2019
We remained at that last high spot on our hike for half an hour or so, eating our meager lunch and watching the mom and calf. She grazed leisurely, and eventually, with baby next to her, made her way west. Later we observed a herd of bison in that direction, and upon checking our photos realized there were at least two more new calves!
Bison Calf Not Far From Mom, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Calf and Mom. Bison of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Bison Calf and Mom, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Mom and Baby Bison. Theodore Roosevelt National Park. April 2019
View From Afar. Bison and Calf in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota April 2019
New Calf and Mom. Bison in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota April 2019
Bison and Calf Stroll Away. April 2019 in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Mom Protecting Her New Calf, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota. April 2019
Bison Herd with New Calves. April 2019 Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Curious Prairie Dogs
Our hike back to the trail head took us through a lively prairie dog town. The little critters were busy munching grass, just like the bison and horses we had observed. They were a bit more curious, though, ever popping up and down out of their dens.
Curious Prairie Dog in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
What’s Going On? Prairie Dogs in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Feral Horses Graze Near the Scenic Loop Drive in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
And That’s Not All!
We began to pack our vehicle at the trail head, and took time to relax and rehydrate. As we did, off in the distance we saw more wild life. And lots of it! Horses again! Out came our cameras once more. Then we carefully picked our spots for viewing, photographing, and recording. The two of us spread out, away from each other in such situations. We’ve learned that just because we think wild life is one place, it doesn’t mean there can’t be more in an adjacent area. That usually means the unexpected!
Mother’s Love? Wild Horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Colt in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Look Alike Nuzzle! Feral Horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Wild Colt Sees From Afar, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
More Than We Thought!
We viewed at least two bands of horses, or perhaps it was one band, spread wide apart. Whichever, we counted a minimum of seventeen horses. They moved in different directions, and we moved too, to keep our distance. We were rewarded with many photo opportunities!
Wild Horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Stallion Approaches Mare, Feral Horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Mighty Wild Stallion of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Glowing in the Golden Hour
As the sun lower in the sky, the shadows grew long and the coloration of everything took on a golden glow. The Golden Hour! We left the horses as they still grazed peacefully, and made our way out of the park. The wildlife we saw didn’t end! Our day was a total success, and one of the most prolific we’d experienced for viewing wild life in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
American Bison Graze Along the Scenic Loop in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Yearling Bison Grazing in the Golden Hour at Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Bison Graze in the Golden Hour in the North Dakota Badlands
Porcupine Shuffles Away in the Golden Hour at Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Turkeys Bid Goodnight to the Badlands Prairie Dogs
Sunset On the Turkeys and Prairie Dogs in North Dakota
Sun Setting Over I-94 in the Badlands of North Dakota
