Badlands National Park South Dakota

June 22, 2012 Friday

I left St Joseph MO at 8:00 AM and crossed the South Dakota Boarder at noon. I had no idea that was possible. It took a little longer to get to the Badlands in SD.
I was able to get a campsite in the national park with electric for $14.00/night because I’m an old lady. The admission to the park was free for the same reason.
When I arrived the weather was beautiful. That lasted for a couple of days. One evening we had a thunder storm with BIG WIND. The next day the temperature hit 108 deg. Good thing I had electric to run the AC. Today was my last day and the weather was very nice again. The temp stayed under 90 all day.
I’ve really enjoyed my stay here. I was only going to stay a couple of days and ended up staying five days. I just kept chasing birds and critters. Here are a few scenes of the park. We’ll get to the birds and critters later.

Badlands Scene 1

Badlands Scene 2 With Deeer

Badlands Scene 3

Badlands Scene 4

Badlands Scene 5

Badlands Scene 6

Buffalo Gap National Grasslands

OK that's it for the scenery. Photos cannot do this place justice. You'll just have to come see it for yourself.
Did you know we almost lost the Black-footed Ferret because of the decline of the Prairie Dog? This species of ferret depends on the Prairie Dog for food. The burrowing owl uses the abandoned Prairie Dog holes for its nests. The re-establishment of our prairies is creating the habitat the Prairie Dog needs to survive and in turn is helping other species to come back from the brink of extinction.
Here are a few photos of Prairie Dogs. I've taken the liberty to read their minds.



OK Here's the plan



There he is mom. That's the big bully that keeps picking on me.



I just keep eating everthing in sight. Now where's my pickles and ice cream?



I love you more - No I love you more.

That's my hole. You abandoned it. I want it back. You can't have it back.

Oh Judy. These captions are too corny. I'm going to my room.

There were other critters roaming the hills.

Bighorn Sheep Ewe

And of course the hills and prairie have their share of birds. I just wish I could find them all.

Barn Swallow feeding young who have left the nest. I love where they chose to perch.

Horned Lark

Lark Bunting Adult Male Breeding

Lark Sparrow

Meadowlark

Meadowlark

Bet you didn't know there were so many birds with "lark" in their name.

Mountain Bluebird Female

Spotted Towhee

Yellow-throated Chat

Dickcissel

Burrowing Owl