USA NORTHWEST 2014
~BISON RANGE~

Photos © R.Leeuw

Again we considered ourselves lucky with the weather; our luck did not stop there as we apparently arrived at some
special day (saturday oct. 18th) and entry was free of charge. So after a quick visit to the visitor center (and a
voluntary donation) we got back in our car for a self-drive tour.

The NBR is one of the oldest National Wildlife Refuges in the United States. It consists of approximately
18.800 acres (7.600 ha) and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Other nearby National
Wildlife Refuges are managed as parts of the National Bison Range Complex and include
the Lost Trail, Ninepipe, Pablo and the Swan River National Wildlife Refuges.
Also affiliated is the Northwest Montana Wetland Management District.

An impressive collection of antlers!

'Are you looking at ME..?' I am not too familiar with animals, but this is probably a mule deer.

We saw some Elk near the road; the male was resting, some females were grazing nearby (below).

 

 

The size of the bison herd at the NBR is relatively small, numbering between 350 and 500 individuals.
The initial herd of American bison was provided by organizations such as the American Bison Society,
and today the refuge serves as the central point for bison research in the United States. (Wikipedia)

Two extant and four extinct species are recognized. Of the four extinct species, three were North American: Bison antiquus, B. latifrons, and B. occidentalis. The fourth, B. priscus, ranged across steppe environments from Western Europe, through Central Asia, and onto North America. Of the two surviving bison species, the American bison, B. bison, found only in North America, is the more numerous. Although sometimes referred to historically as a 'buffalo', it is only distantly related to the true buffalo. The North American species is composed of two subspecies, the plains bison, B. b. bison, and the wood bison, B. b. athabascae, which is the namesake of Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada. The European bison B. bonasus, or wisent, is found in Europe and the Caucasus, reintroduced after being extinct in the wild. (Wikipedia)

 

Bison wallow to remove tufts of molted fur as well as to leave their scent. In the summer, wallowing deters biting flies.

 

The park has two scenic roads that allow vehicular access to prime viewing areas.

Ada went a bit too close for comfort here, in my opinion. Her compact camera does not have the (save)
telephoto range I had. But a grand photo it is!

 

"Hey, come on, look this way.."

"There you are.."

 

Not sure which bird of prey this is, a Peregrine Falcon? A Prairie Falcon perhaps? Email if you can help me! EMAIL

USA NORTHWEST 2014
THE START: OREGON & WASHINGTON
PORTLAND, OR
WHALEWATCHING FROM ANACORTES
PAGE TWO: IDAHO & MONTANA
NATIONAL BISON RANGE
PAGE THREE: WYOMING
YELLOWSTONE NAT'L PARK
JACKSON,WY
PAGE FOUR: IDAHO
CRATERS OF THE MOON
THE END: OREGON

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INDEX TO MY TRAVEL PAGES

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