Do you ever wonder what it is that left tracks in the sand?
Mike and I were walking the beach along Lake Powell last week and saw these, which he says were left by a duck.
Darkling Beetle Coniontis
And I’ve followed these crisscrossing tracks many times but this is the first I’ve seen the beetle that made them.
The forest is turning to gold. At least the Aspen are. Last week’s few cool nights down into the low 30s F have triggered the trees. This photo was taken on Monday. I need to get out in the forest.
On the way to go grocery shopping in Page, Arizona Mike and I hiked the Toadstools trail in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and camped at Lone Rock Beach in Utah.
That’s about 140 miles one way along the northern route.
Lone Rock Beach is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
The 130 mile return home after shopping the next day along the southern route takes us across Navajo Bridge where we saw California Condors.
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After five days touring in South Africa Joan and I finally made it to Kruger National Park where I hoped to see abundant wildlife.
We checked into Orpen Gate,
one of several entrances to the park.
I bought my Wild Card which came in handy when visiting other National Parks throughout South Afrca.
First we spotted a few birds (for more birds). We saw Guinea Fowl many times and referred to them as breakfast as they aren’t very smart or fast about moving off the road.
Then saw an Impala.
And several more.
And then herds. The bloody Impalas were everywhere.
Stopped to see how the Rangers used to live at the Rabelais Hut.
Where are all the animals? Eyes constantly scanning back and forth, along the ground and in the trees as we slowly cruised along the roads for many hours.
At Sunset Lake a hippo drank.
While overhead a fish eagle soared.
Saw wildebeests playing.
The zebras looked so friendly, I really wanted to ride one. But we had to stay in our Toyota cage.
This 3 foot Rock leguan monitor lizard ambled across the road in front of us.
The white rhinos roamed with the giraffe.
I’m not sure how big the termites are, but the mounds were over my head.
At least the grasshoppers were small. I was with the Bug Lady after all.
We camped at Satara Rest Camp watching the sunset and enjoying a nightcap while the hyenas paced back and forth on the other side of the fence about 20 feet away.
After I went into the tent I just had to record the night sounds. Yes, that’s the hyenas serenading me to sleep.
And I dreamed about seeing all the Big 5 on my first of five days in Kruger. All thanks to Joan’s excellent guiding skills.
There is no such thing as Buffalo in America. You have to go to Asia or Africa to see true Buffalo. There are Bison. They can be seen at Custer State Park, Yellowstone and Wind Cave National Parks and privately owned ranches.
Charles Jesse “Buffalo” Jones experimented with breeding cattle and bison around the end of the 19th century in Kansas to produce Cattalo/Beefalo. Then in 1906 he convinced the federal government to donate land on the Kaibab Plateau north of the Grand Canyon and partnered with “Uncle” Jim Owens to continue his experimental cross breeding. After several years, investors withdrew their funding of the project so Jones sold the cattle and gave Owens the bison.
Also in 1906, Theodore Roosevelt appointed Owens as the game warden of the Grand Canyon Game Preserve and in 1926 he sold his “beefalo” to the State of Arizona.
Their legacy still roams the Kaibab Plateau today.
House Rock Valley & Vermilion Cliffs
Some of the herds stay in the House Rock Wildlife Area east of the plateau. But many beefalo wander over the invisible, or partially fenced, border into the National Forest and Park.
Beefalo patty & Mikes foot
Hunting licenses are issued by Arizona Fish & Game and the hunt described as “a world renowned opportunity and experience.” These “Bison” are considered to be the hardest to hunt of the true free ranging herds. Of course the limited issued license will cost you about $1000 and there’s no guarantee or refund.
Beefalo hoof print & my foot
Plus they can’t be hunted in the National Park where they sometimes seem to run for safety.
And cause “Beefalo Jams” along the roadway.
Where tourons visitors often get out of their vehicles to take photos and get perilously close to the humongous and fast moving critters.
Crane Lake
Once in the park, the National Park Service is committed to protecting these non-native species. Small lakes on the meadows have been fenced to keep the beefalo out and allow the wildlife in.
When these “bison” were DNA tested they show a high amount of bovine DNA. Uncle Jim’s strain was certainly not pure and they’ve been breeding every since.
There is ongoing discussion about what to do with the large herds of Beefalo. Fish & Game estimates the current count is about 300 head, which is over twice the limit of sustainable management. Students at Northern Arizona University are conducting research. Four government agencies, Arizona Fish & Game, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service and National Park Service, could take a while to decide anything.
In the meantime, come visit Grand Canyon’s North Rim for a buffalo Beefalo experience.
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Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel
Ain’t I cute? But if you try to feed me I may bite. And if you don’t feed me I may just climb into your lap and help myself to your lunch.
& Uinta Chipmunk
And watch out for my little friend too.
