Started the day bright and early today by attending a park all-employee meeting. Was pretty funny when the chief ranger presented his list of info, including the story of getting us stuck out in Palmer Creek last night. I'm still high on that adventure. Was a great time. Today was the first day in the park for the other artist-in-residence this spring, who also happens to be a watercolorist: Judy Thompson. I offered a hike, and we opted to drive down to Sage Creek and hike out amongst the rolling hills and the creek. The bison were really close to the road today, and in greater numbers than usual. I'm wondering whether this is related to the imminence of calving season. Certainly saw many large, shuffling mama bison. We had to wait and watch for an opportunity to get back to the car without getting too close to the animals. Shortly after we started our hike, members of the herd moved into the camping area where we parked. Made a brief jaunt into Wall seeking an internet connection for Judy, but failed. Grabbed some supplies at the grocery store and headed back to the visitor's center to return the park radio we took out for the day. Had a surprise waiting from the chief ranger, he left an envelope for me containing a NPS park ranger patch and Badlands challenge medal. Very, very cool.
Bison on the drive into Sage Creek.
"C'mon, hurry up, I have to pee!"
Cottonwood.
Tall embankment along Sage Creek. Judy is walking on the left, gives it scale.
