Mono Lake & the Sheep Ranch~

I was busy getting a few images of the view and the red house and then as we got closer, what I thought was sage brush, turned out to be sheep...hundreds of sheep and lambs and one single special calming companion...wearing a large bell...their friend, the Burro~


Happy Monday, happy week, be safe and take care~

I am linking up with Mary for:

"Mosaic Monday"

at:http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/
 

On the far eastern side of Yosemite National Park, we stayed in lodging along Mono Lake in California.  It was really very lovely there, so peaceful and quiet~
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So That is Where You Go~

Every late autumn, early winter, they arrive and I always watch for them.  Dark-eyed Juncos.  I miss them once they leave us and while in South Dakota, there they were.  Lovely little Juncos everywhere, and soon they shall travel great distances back to Tingsgrove, looking forward to feeding these fine feathered friends too~

Iron Mountain Road is one of the neatest finds that we made on our recent journey, having taken a wrong turn, getting over to Custer State Park.  There were a few of these neat tunnels and through one of them, you could view Mt. Rushmore in the distance~

There it was Mt. Rushmore.  This was my second time to visit it and the fourth time to be in South Dakota, land that I really enjoy~

Meaka pup-cub, posing under Mt. Rushmore...;)~

Meaka enjoyed her friends the Mule Deer, nearly as much as the Elk and the other wildlife.  She actually doggie cried when we pulled away from them...her friends~

This year, we did not see to many Pronghorn close up, for most of them were in pastures way out along the highways~

Meaka wanted to bring the little gray burro home with us...what a sweet face and so calm this one~

Custer State Park keeps the herd down to about 1,200 bison/buffalo.   They are such remarkable creatures, awesome to view close up.  That little calf was really a cheerful one, for after it finished nursing, it would take off prancing and bucking, so happy with it's life.   Hoping that you all are as well...have a happy day, wherever you are~

 

What Do They Have in Common...

Absolutely nothing in common, except that they all live together in harmony of nature as free roaming wild creatures in and around the Rocky Mountains.  The Prairie Dogs are really cute, however the ranchers that deal with them on a regular basis, are not so willing to accept their cuteness by any means.  Golden Eagles take plenty of them while searching for prey in the area, and yet there are always more being born to take their spot.  Note... the bottom image is just a small bit on a scale of thousands of Prairie Dog homes. The Burros are from generations past of the bloodlines back to the original pack animals that came through this area, when the west was being explored 200 years ago.  The Turkeys were just on the outskirts of the official border of the RMNP, but I incuded them since my blog is listed under birds and I thought maybe I should place some in this post.  The Mule Deer are great looking animals and I got to see them run, or rather leap, and, or bound on this past journey~