Monday, June 30, 2014

BUFFALO WALLOW

A buffalo wallow is a natural depression in the prairie that holds rain water. The wallows serve as temporary watering holes and they are a spot favored by the buffalo to "wallow in" to cool off  and drink from on hot days.

This late 1800 map shows the extent and size of the land where the buffalo once roamed.  The American Indians lived on Plains of North America and the buffalo were their entire source of existence, as they used every single part of the animal in their day to day life....not wasting one smidgen.

Also in the late 1800's a couple of young buffalo hunter brothers from England made their way to Ft. Zulu Stockade, about 15 miles from where I live. The Cator Brothers lived and died in the area as they hunted buffalo alongside the Plains Indians.


Ft. Adobe Walls

a map of the fort

hunting the buffalo

Later, as the military began to relocate the Indians into areas where they could contain and maintain them, they began to slaughter the buffalo.  An estimated 31,000,000 buffalo were killed between the years of 1868 and 1881
 with only 500 buffalo left by the year of 1885.

I hope this makes you sad...but be sad no longer because 
THE BUFFALO ARE BACK!!
oh yes they are!

on our trip to Mount Rushmore we traveled through 
where nearly 600,000 acres contain a diversity of plants and animals and are one of the most extensive, productive ecosystems in the United States....and especially dedicated to
the buffalo

what an  amazing and emotional sight to behold

it would cause this chief

and his entourage

to do the happy dance!

to read more about Adobe Walls click the link below

If you love history and natural beauty...I would so encourage you to visit this area
and here we actually have a small buffalo herd close by and though not much is there to see at the Adobe Walls site, it's an amazing vacation!  Let me know...and you can be our guest at 822!

**the above  photos were given to me by my mother (the actual b&w hang in our office) and they were given to her by a man in Minnesota who came to the 1974 Anniversary of the Battle of Adobe Walls where he took the photos.

16 comments:

Optimistic Existentialist said...

The buffalo is one of the most successful conservation stories in history. To come fro the brink of extinction all the way back tom where they are today. So so amazing.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning Gina! It's great to see you again! Are you enjoying your summer at 822? It is good to know that such natural beauty is still in our backyard of the plains. BIG HUGS! Anita

Karena said...

It is so wonderful to see that some of our very endangered species are once again thriving. Thank you Gina!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Gina,

What an uplifting story this is. The world today has so many endangered species that a good news story such as this makes refreshing and welcome reading.

This looks to be an extremely delightful part of the USA. We have never crossed the Atlantic so this is all most intriguing. An area steeped in history and a most amazing landscape. What is not to like?

Hope you are having a lovely time!

Marissa said...

Very interesting!!!

Stacy CUrran said...

It looks like a great place to visit, especially with children. Thank you for sharing!
Stacy

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

Very nice of you to offer a stay at 822. It looks like a great place to visit.

Leslie said...

Thank you for sharing this Gina! Great photos and important information!:)

Maureen Wyatt said...

It's mind boggling the numbers of buffalo that were slaughtered in such a short time. Most of the animal was left to rot, a further tragedy. Seeing them return should make us all do the 'happy dance'.

Unknown said...

Unfathomable numbers - 31,000,000 = what were they thinking? I wonder about our forefathers sometimes. But then mankind does some pretty stupid things even now.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Gina my dear! Good morning! I hope you get this message as I have been having a hard time this morning leaving comments! NOPE, it's not your imagination....Blogger is having hiccups today! Thank you so much for coming over to see the photos. Much love to you out there in Texas! Anita

bj said...

I live on the Plains of West Texas, too...Lubbock....are you anywhere close?

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Gina,
Amazing, endangered once - now saved, a true American heartfelt story. Thanks for posting about this happening in your Texas plains.
Have a wonderful and happy 4th of July.
XO,
Vera

Ivy and Elephants said...

So informative, I love history and animals so this was a perfect happy ending story for me. If I ever get out that way I'll be sure to make a stop. Have a happy and blessed holiday.

Hugs,
Patti

Anajá Schmitz said...

Eu gostei de conhecer sobre seu país. Gosto muito de búfalos, por aqui também temos mas é o africano. Uma pena o que fazem com os animais, fico feliz de saber que os búfalos estão de volta e os índios existe muitos por ai?
Tenha um ótimo fim de semana.

Mr Paul said...

Hope you are having a gorgeously colourful summer Gina.
Love from London.
Paul x