Dan & I returned home just before midnight this last Thursday from a Patagonia book tour in California. We were greeted with a cold, still night and a black sky filled with stars. We awoke the next morning to a snow-covered prairie, the first snowfall of the year.
This was also the day that we would move the buffalo onto the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, their winter grazing grounds consisting of 24,000 acres of grasslands. Dan & Colton had organized a plan on the when and the how we would do this. We were discussing the buffalo gathering as we gazed out the window at the new winter scenery. A small group of buffalo had started to gather on the bottom ground with more trickling in from every direction. Then, as if on cue, they lined out in a single file for the gate that would take them across the river. “Would you look at that”, Dan said. “They must know”, Jilian replied.
A new plan was quickly put into place and our crew of five bundled up and headed out the door.
We followed the single file path to the gate where the buffalo and the birds that would travel with them, waited patiently.
Dan and I went through first, closing the gate behind us, so we could cross the river and call them over. Once we were in position, Jilian & Colton, along with little Lincoln, opened the gate and led them to the river.
They had made this crossing many times and ran along the river enthusiastically, looking for their favorite narrow and not to deep place to cross.
As always the group was led by an older cow and was the first to take the plunge into the icy cold water.
As they crossed they gathered again, as if waiting for all to get across safely.
The last bunch trickled across slowly, with a single older cow bringing up the rear.
Once all had crossed they took off climbing the river breaks and moved out onto their winter pasture.
It was a wonderful welcome home for all.
27 comments
Beautiful and touching. Thank you for sharing these photos.
A Beautiful piece, Jill, and expertly written. The paucity of your commentary is a perfect compliment, to the story in pictures, which is, indeed, “an amazing site to see.” I was especially moved by “where the buffalo and the birds that would travel with them, waited patiently” followed by the wonderfully descriptive photograph – perfect.
Thank you so much for sharing!
…and this is why I support, buy, and eat Wild Idea buffalo.
Beautiful photos, what a lovely Christmas gift.
Enjoyed your story. I am sorry I did not meet you this summer. My wife and I drove out to yellowstone and worked in the park for Deleware north (we are from Florida). We made a few stops (at casinos also) but mostly stayed on the west side of yellowstone near the grand canyon. What a great park (we are older than 62 so it was free with our card)
The Bison is amazing. We did see a few Bison that were hurt in the park (the back legs). I heard that they were going to cull the heard this summer. Is that true?
Keep the stories coming
merry Christmas
regards
Alan Lazar
Thanks!! Loved the migration to grasslands story and especially your pictures, Jill. What birds are following the bison? I also enjoyed Dan’s Grinch story. Tell him he can just stay home and enjoy South Dakota….don’t go to town…and he’ll avoid a few traffic tickets. Happy Holidays where ever you are and best New Year wishes from tiny Dubois WY!
Outstanding pictures and so refreshing to see the Buffalo herds growing and looking beautiful! I pray the CREATOR continues to Bless the Buffalo and all of you working with them!
Your “back yard” is a beautiful NATURAL Christmas scene.
Thanks again for what you are doing for the buffalo, the great plains and all of us.
Marvelous to read Jill, and the pictures give us the feeling of being there watching this marvel. Wonderful work you all are doing! Thank you for sharing it!
Wishing a Merry Christmas to all. (Love the family picture.)
Always a memorable event! Lincoln’s first time for winter pasture release was a text book scene depicted beautifully with Jill’s photos.
Awesome! That is an amazing sight to see. Wishing the Bison a Happy Winter!