Custer State Park — Right of Way
Suddenly, we feel like the visitors we are. This is their land, and they make that known.
Setting
Custer State Park
Black Hills, South Dakota
Spring morning
43.672694° N, 103.361909° W
Observation
The Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park is exactly as one would expect. Filled with wildlife.
Vast open grasslands and rolling hills dominate the landscape. Cone-shaped mounds of dirt serve as entrances to complex tunnel networks throughout the prairie dog towns. Some prairie dogs intermittently pop their heads above ground while others stand at the entrances chirping signals to family members, presumably alerting them to perceived danger. A lone coyote wanders into the area, immediately increasing the communication among them.
Pronghorns graze throughout the loop, seemingly unbothered by the parade of cars intermittently passing by.
The begging burros are a genuine surprise. They seem strangely out of place on the prairie, but clearly this is part of their environment. Bison are expected, but donkeys in the Black Hills? Apparently, yes.
It is no surprise to see a bison. Seeing hundreds of them at once, causing a bison jam, is something else entirely.
Moment
Suddenly, we feel like the visitors we are. This is their land, and they make that known.
We are caught in a bison jam.
Mothers and their red dogs are scattered across the prairie and across the road. We are given no choice but to wait, and we do so with excitement.
The herd stretches across the landscape. Hundreds of bison are present, some resting in the grass and others meandering across the road. Several have simply stopped in the middle of it, making it impossible for the cars to pass.
The distance between us has disappeared. The animals surround the vehicle, some casually grazing just outside the car.
The adults wear tattered, patchy remnants of their winter coats. The young remain close to their mothers, their red fur offering a striking contrast to the shaggy brown coats of the mature animals.
Suddenly, two cows lock horns, testing each other's strength in a brief power struggle just outside the car window.
One turns toward us, walks to the car, and lets out a discernible grunt.
Then she begins licking the car.
Reflection
The road belonged to them long before it belonged to us.
