| BFC Buffalo Field Campaign
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| A
Hopeful Spring Story from Yellowstone...
by Roman Sanchez, BFC volunteer
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Last
Sunday, with the moon still in the early morning sky and the
sun
yet to rise, my brother Robert and I began our walk along the
winding
banks of the Madison bluffs. Below us, the Madison River was
covered
with a blanket of fog. We hiked further into the belly of Yellowstone,
following the tracks of bison and elk going both east and west.
The
ground was still moist with the early morning dew. Scat of our
four-legged family could be seen in all directions. An osprey
flew over
us and gave a few short whistles followed by a final long one.
In the
distance, the unmistakable call of two Sandhill cranes echoed
through
the forest. The first rays of sun pierced through the pine trees
in an
orange red haze. It was going to be a beautiful day.
We continued on for about three miles until the Madison opened
up into a
large field of willows, grass and a few scattered trees. There
amongst
the rising mist, a herd of about 80 elk and 30 buffalo grazed
peacefully. I pulled out my binoculars to scan the herd and
stopped at
a group of four mama buffalo preparing to cross over a small
tributary.
With the mist still coming off the waters, I saw what I thought
was a
smaller-than-usual figure. Ten minutes or so passed before my
suspicions were confirmed--the first baby buffalo of the season!
A
beautiful new life, and hope that this last wild herd will survive.
The mama stumbled awkwardly as the baby walked beneath her,
attempting
to suckle milk. This new life not only sent a surge of excitement
through my brother and I, but the other buffalo and elk as well.
Various adult and immature bull buffalo were playfully locking
horns and
wallowing in the dirt. Elk darted around and jumped about in
circular
motions, playing with each other. The sun shone bright and the
river
gurgled below us as we continued to watch the mama patiently
stop and
allow the newly born to nurse. The baby buffalo lay in the mid-morning
sunshine and slept as a yearling stood watch, licking the new
family
member from head to hoof. Mama grazed nearby. We saw an otter
floating
down river and spotted two Sandhill cranes standing quietly
along the
bluffs. Their prehistoric figures took flight and their calls
again
echoed through the forest as they disappeared into the trees.
We saw other mamas lying in the sun, bellies full of life. We
wondered
if this day would bring more hope for the continuation of this
herd.
Within the next few hours we observed three more herds, at different
intervals coming out of the forest -- some 180 buffalo in all!
They
came running down the bluffs. They wallowed in the warm sands
on the
banks of the Madison. Groups of bulls locked horns and chased
each
other back and forth. Many we saw walk up and stand over the
new family
member still lying in the grass. They walked on and another
group came
by. Springtime in Yellowstone!
A mixed group of bulls stood atop the bluffs, some rubbing up
against
trees, almost as if standing guard. I don't really know why,
but quite
honestly, more than anything I was just enjoying the gift of
being with
nature during this celebration of new life. Six and a half hours
later
and our patrol came to an end. We quietly and to ourselves Give
Thanks
and say good-bye, for now. On our walk back, the sun reflected
on the
Madison. The temptation was too great -- I dove in -- COLD!!!
But like
we love to say "a dive in a cold river will give you a
new lease on
life." I promised myself I'd be back for sunset with with
my son and wife.... |
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