Friday, January 02, 2009

Astonishing nature day - I think I may love Wildlife refuges even more than National Parks - fewer people and more focus on the beasts - Today we had very close views of all the big three - a group of five buffalo who were close enough to be scary but not actually dangerous (really more awe inspiring than scary) when we stood inside a pioneer dwelling while they passed - a beautiful female elk seen suddenly as she appeared in winter pale prairie below after we crested a hill, a multicolored herd of longhorn cattle lowing around the same rocks near the visitor's center that the boys had climbed earlier. They were suitably impressed. So were we older ones. THe prairie dog colony is spreading, to our delight. We've watched it grow over the last ten years. A morals issue with the kids was what to do about people crossing the fence and disturbing the rairie dog colony. we never have seen this behavior until this visit. The kids wanted to confront them and Bob and I resisted - now I think I regret resisting. There were not clearly posted rules so Bob and I felt shy abpppp bout talking to strangers about their behavior - but crossing a fence to walk among wild animals in their community seems so clearly wrong. All three kids were hard to deter in their desire to protect the prairie dogs.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great day with nature. Bless those kids who want to take care of the animals! People like them are the hope of the world.

Ann said...

What wonderful memories you and Bob are giving the children, Victoria. I love that they are very aware of their roles as stewards of the environment.

Judy Roney said...

I think your observation or opinion that you enjoy Wildlife Refuges even more than National Parks makes perfect sense. When we were in Costa Rica, we went to a zoo where I saw all the animals that I read about (including coati mondis). There was such grumbling with the people there about being at a zoo instead of in the rainforest. Well, I was in the rainforest a lot but I loved actually seeing some of those animals and birds at that zoo, otherwise, it would have just been wishful thinking that I would run into one in the wild. :)

Anonymous said...

Were there any hawks or eagles casing out the prairie dog village? Glad the trip is proving so exciting!

Mary said...

It does sound like a wonderful day...how nice that the kids have Bob and you to share nature with them as you do!