thit_cho

I know this isn't an Africa-related post, but I know that many of you are in the United States and may be interested in some more easily reachable wildlife destinations for weekend trips.

I traveled to western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming over Easter weekend, primarily to climb Devils Tower (featured in Close Encounters of the Third Kind), but also to visit Badlands National Park and Custer State Park. Wildlife was abundant in both parks, and I saw lots of bison and prarie dogs, as well as pronghorn antelopes, mountain goats, white-tail deer, coyotes (saw a kill -- coyote caught a small rodent) and rocky mountain goats (around Mount Rushmore).

For a quick wildlife fix, this area is one of the best I have visited in the United States. Unfortunately, I was only carrying a 35mm lens (mostly to take photos while climbing), so my photos are a bit distant, but I will post some when I get a chance to cull the good from bad.

Michael

PredatorBiologist

Michael: glad you found and enjoyed this area. It is great for wildlife and scenery and one that flies somewhat under the radar. Not that you are likely to ever see them but the best population of black-footed ferrets is in this area too.

I'm particularly partial to the area as I have done quite a bit of work there and have one of my proudest accomplishments in the Black Hills -- discovering and documenting the first flammulated owl in the state of South Dakota.

thit_cho

I was aware of the black-footed ferrets, but I know they are nocturnal, therefore difficult to see. The cover story in the Science section of today's New York Times is on black-footed ferrets, with the dateline from Wall, SD (which is where I spent Saturday night).

Kavey

Thanks for sharing, Michael...

To be honest, I posted my India tiger viewing comments here too because I know that most folks here are interested in wildlife viewing no matter where in the world it might be.

Perhaps we should ask Fodors to rename the board Africa, The Middle East and Worldwide Wildlife Viewing?

cooncat

Michael - thanks for posting this. There is something quite special about camping in the Badlands. It's been too long that I've been up there, considering I'm just south of them in Nebraska. A quick car trip may be in my future....!

lisa

Love the badlands.

Are there still dozens of billboards advertising for Wall Drug in SD? (And did you stop there?)

atravelynn

I agree that Custer and the Badlands are wildlife havens. For posts such as these, a wildlife travel section would be perfect! Tales of prairie dogs next to tales of wild dogs.
Glad you enjoyed your trip.

thit_cho

Lisa, yes there are lots of billboards for Wall Drug, and I spent Saturday night in Wall, hoping to visit Wall Drug on Sunday, but they were closed for Easter, so I only peaked through the windows.

napamatt

One of the best things about flying into Denver is seeing the prairie dogs at the side of the freeway. Of course one of the worst things is seeing their habitat disappear at an alarming rate.

cooncat

I have "dug" Wall Drug. This was back in 1980, mind you.....