Fall at Gile Flowage

After finishing at Bond Falls we drove back over to Hurley were we were staying for the night. I was hoping for a nice sunset or sunrise but it remained cloudy. Still the fall colors around the flowage were at their peak.

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Bond Falls

After driving along Highway B in Vilas County Wisconsin we headed north into the U.P. of Michigan and over to Bond Falls. It had been spitting rain all day and as we walked along the river it really started to rain. Never-the-less I persisted and managed to get a few shots with the fall colors.

Vilas County Wisconsin

We headed north on the first fall color trip of the season. We ended up in Land O’ Lakes, Wisconsin. We decided to take Vilas County Highway B over to Presque Isle. Even though it was an overcast day the fall colors were outstanding.

 

Wildlife Loop Custer State Park

We drove the Wildlife Loop several times during our visit to Custer State Park.  Of course the main attraction were the Buffalo. Our visit was a couple of weeks before the roundup and we were surprised to find most of the buffalo hanging out in the roundup parking lot or around the buffalo pens. That would have made the roundup easy but then there wouldn’t have been anything for the tourists to see.

We did see a number of Pronghorns during our visit. The first photo shows one chasing a female. The female had run across the road a few minutes before and he was right behind her.

No visit would be complete without a photo of the Prairie Dogs.

The burros were hanging around in the same area as the Buffalo. It’s funny, when the roundup starts the burros are always in hanging around the Buffalo but they usually head for the hills just before it starts.

Driving through in the evening we were able to see a number of deer.

Buffalo Statues Custer South Dakota

When we stay in Custer we normally wander around town taking photos of the Buffalo Statues. On this trip we wandered off of the main street looking for some we have not photographed before.

 

Black Elk Peak Trail Custer State Park

We try to hike to Black Elk Peak (formerly Harney Peak) when we are in the Black Hills. It was a beautiful day and relatively cool so we decided to make the hike. The fall leaves were nearing their beak color.

On the way to the top we encountered a number of deer on the trail. The couple behind us had to restrain their dog when this one jumped across the trail.

There were still a variety of flowers out. I captured this Bluebell.

There was some graffiti along the trail. This is the first time I’ve seen anything like this.

To native Americans Black Elk Peak is a sacred site. In the past we have seen offerings but they seemed to have increased in recent years.

The views from the top of the Peak are spectacular.

Beautiful views on the trip down from the top.

Begging Burros of Custer State Park

In late September we spent several days in Custer State Park. While driving the Wildlife Loop we ran across the begging burros. It was good to see them because a number of them died in the fire that raced through the park last December.

 

Wind Canyon Overlook Trail Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Wind Canyon Overlook Trail is a short trail offering spectacular views of the Little Missouri River Valley in an area with a big bend and steep cliffs along the river.

More photos from Theodore Roosevelt National Park can be found on my website.

 

 

Petrified Forest Loop Trail Theodore Roosevelt National Park

When we woke up it was a very foggy morning and looked like it might rain. After breakfast at a local cafe we tentatively decided that we wanted to hike out to the Petrified Forest. We stopped at the ranger station to check on road conditions. The roads were in good shape because their oil wells right up to the park boundary so the roads are well maintained.

More photos from Theodore Roosevelt National Park can be found on my website.

We found the trail an as we started out we were not certain if we would go to the south or north unit of the petrified forest. The decision was made somewhat easier because there was a Buffalo standing on the trail to the north unit.

We hadn’t gone far before we ran into a couple of wild horses.

There was quite a bit of petrified wood in a relatively small area. There were petrified wood chips everywhere. I seemed a little strange  because the chips looked just like real wood.

After looking around a bit we decided to continue hiking and see if we could find the Maah Daah Hey Trail. Turned out to take a little longer that we expected but w ran into several other hikers and they indicated that the trail was well marked at all of the intersections and trail markers could be seen along the trail.

We saw a variety of wild flowers blooming on the prairie.

Toward the end of the Maah Daah Hey Trail we encountered a couple of buffalo. One wandered onto the trail ahead of us but didn’t pay munch attention to us and continue on down the trail. A second one came running after the first one but noticed out presence and made a couple of charges in our direction. We made a retreat and decided to have lunch while we waited for him to move off. We later encountered him again and he still was very interested in us. We have hiked in buffalo country quite a bit but never had a buffalo show this much interest in us.

We continued walking along what appeared to be a large plateau The trees along the area had some good color. We could see quite a ways.

 

We found the North Petrified Forest Trail and took that hopping it would take us back to our car. The trail dropped down into a large ravine with some interesting rock formations.

After climbing out of the ravine we finally reached the north unit of the petrified forest. It was far more extensive than the south unit and if you only had a short time it would be the area I would suggest you visit.

We then headed back to the car. Fortunately the buffalo was no longer on the trail. It was a great day of hiking. We managed over 11 miles for the day.

Wildlife of Theodore Roosevelt National Park

On our recent trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park we were lucky to see a variety of wildlife.

More photos from Theodore Roosevelt National Park can be found on my website.

Mule Deer

Buffalo

Prairie Dog

Pronghorns

Wild Horses