Animals and Wildlife
The ranch offers observation and hands on experience with the buffalo and horses. Buffalo and horses are loving, playful and great fun to be around. They are also large, powerful and infinitely wise. To be in their presence inspires awe and wonder. To spend time with them is humbling and often stirs deep feelings of joy and respect. We say that is why they are here and why we offer these opportunities.
WILDLIFE are a natural and essential part of the ecosystem. Their presence assures balance and harmony. Much thought went into possibly transplanting species that have disappeared over the last 50 years. To our joy and amazement we are seeing them return on their own.
We have witnessed turtles traveling miles over dry pastureland to ponds now recovering and teaming with life. Wild turkeys appeared, cranes, birds I do not remember ever seeing, and plant life and flowers we have yet to identify. Antelope have became a part of the landscape for the first time.
The Old Ones speak of the medicinal plants that are stimulated by the bear scat that now is appearing on well worn trails, newly established. The black bear are seen coming farther down the draws, full of wild berries, in greater numbers. Bear cubs have wandered into the yard out of curiosity and found the laundry on the clothes lines great fun to play with. Heavy poaching had diminished the white tail and mule deer populations. Now, we are seeing many more and have found their tracks in our vegetable garden.
The black-tailed prairie dog towns are expanding. Badger, marmot, fox, coyote and many other species are reclaiming their home territories. Occasionally a wolf is spotted on the horizon. Many ask if we are concerned about some of the perceived dangers with this new influx of predators. On the contrary, there is a greater peace, fuller, richer habitat, a greater harmony they seem to understand and cultivate. I often watch the coyotes play as the horses graze peacefully, mother bear bringing her three cubs to the hillside by the house as if to show them off and the sharptail grouse raising her 13 young by the garden.
My heart swells, I am humbled and grateful for the lessons, the encouragement the greater understanding of “home on the range”.
