Buffalo Gap National Grassland

Have been in Wall, South Dakota since Monday. Have spent a portion of every day since in Badlands National Park. I have been to the Badlands twice before. Once when I was a teenager, and then the first or second year after I moved to Nebraska. I do not remember being as awestruck by the beauty then. My photos of the Badlands are here.

I have also spent some of my time in Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. The grasslands are south of the national park. The grasslands are where these photos were taken.

An immature Horned lark is proud of the grasshopper he caught


These Lark buntings are really pretty in flight because of the white on their wings

Nebraska Sandhills, Day Two

As I headed west out of Valentine this morning, there were lots of Black-eyed Susans lining the road.


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My first planned destination was Anderson Bridge WMA. It is on the south side of the Niobrara River and was supposed to offer "a sampling of woodland species". However, the gate was closed. No access. After offering my opinion on that (not repeatable in this forum) I looked at my trusty map to plot out plan b.

One thing that must be known about this part of the state, is that the best map is not always reliable. One needs to rely on one's sense of direction and understand that sooner or later all the sandhill roads will lead you to a highway. Sometimes sooner, sometimes later. If you're going to get uptight about that, stick to the highway and miss out on much of the beautiful scenery.

So I crossed back across the Niobrara River.


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My next destination was McKelvie National Forest. It took me awhile to get there, but I didn't mind a bit. It was a beautiful sunny day, with nice fluffy clouds and there was plenty to enjoy along the way.

I'm certainly glad to have not missed seeing these Ross's Geese.


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And there were lots of dragonflies. This Common Whitetail decided to pose for me.


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This is what the road looked like after I turned north from the river.


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There were oodles of Horned Larks.


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I finally got to McKelvie about noon. I was kind of disappointed with McKelvie. I doubt I will go back there again. But the road getting there was definitely a keeper!

I took many more photographs today. You can see them here.