Buffalo Pedicure

Cow Esther was ankle deep in mud this morning when I checked the water tank this morning. Freda had just gotten a drink and was rubbing and sloshing the water out of the tank, and I guess Esther thought it was time for a pedicure.

The calves are growing. Camille’s calf San Diego has finally turned brown now, so she blends in with the rest of the calves. Because they are used to me, they will sometimes wander closer to the fence, always sniffing the air, and me!

Putting On Coats

Our weather changed drastically Tuesday with the dropping temperatures and rain. The high yesterday was 61 degrees, with a stiff north wind. I reached into the closet for a jacket to wear anytime I was going outside. We'd welcome 61 degrees in the spring, but after our 90 plus degree heat we had last week, it feels cold.
So, maybe the buffalo are smart by starting their winter coat early.
We're also seeing other signs of winter approaching; the deer are more visible in the evening, the Snow-on-the-mountain milkweed is blooming, and we're seeing geese flying in formations in the sky.
And Takoda is just about done with his breeding season. Here's a cute photo of Takoda courting Freda. Her look just says "Whatever..."

Turning Towards the Sun

The local fields of sunflowers are starting to bloom. They turn their yellow heads with the sun until the seed sets. There are more sunflowers grown in Western Kansas and in drier climates, but we have a few farmers that grow it locally to rotate with their wheat ground.

Because sunflowers have a large tap root, it breaks through the hard pan that can form with grain crops. In other words it "fluffs up" the soil.

These seeds will be harvested when the stalks dry down this fall and they will be crushed for sunflower oil. The kind of sunflower seeds we eat, are called a confectionary variety and are different than the oil variety.

Buffalo Bull with an Attitude

August is breeding season for bison, and this is Takoda's first year as herd bull.

He's had a bit of a attitude (more than usual), and has been "courting the ladies".

Last Saturday there were four carloads of families that happened to come in at about the same time, and they naturally walked up to the fence because the herd was close to the Visitors Center.

I walked out to the group because I could hear Takoda growling from inside the Visitors Center. He didn't like people near his herd right now, and didn't quiet down until everyone moved back 20 feet from the fence.

When a bull talks, everybody better listen!!

Buffalo Herd on Indonesian TV

Today's surprise was being filmed for a Voice of America TV program to be shown in Indonesia!

Two people spend over two hours filming the buffalo, interviewing me, and some tourists from Sweden that had stopped by too.

Cow Kajsa wasn't too sure about the one camera person getting down to her level by the fence, and she kept a close eye on her. It will be playing in two weeks, and they promised to send me a DVD of it.

Growing Bison

When I walked down to check the water tank, I stopped to really look at how much the bison calves are changing now. They are getting browner, besides developing their hump and horns. They are blending in beside their moms compared to when they were first born with their cinnamon wool coat.

Takoda, our three-year-old bull is also changing and bulking up in size. He's now taller than the cows, I'm guessing he's tipping the scale at 1400 lbs. Takoda's head and shoulders are taking on the look of a gigantic bodybuilder. He'll pack on another 800-1000 lbs in the next three years.

Goodbye to July

Wow- where has the month gone? August is going to roll in tomorrow and I feel like I've barely started summer. Of course we've had a cool and wet July (compared to some years) so thankfully it hasn't been our typical hot and dry summer.

August starts the school season (kids start Aug. 14th here), and it's the month to get all fall merchandise and supplies ordered, AND get ready for the fall maze season.

Today reminded me of fall because of an unusual foggy morning, so I took some photos at the farm gate to show you how thick the fog was. The Visitors Center barely showed up being a light gray color, but the yellow orange pumpkin blossoms glowed like little lights through the fog.

I was out early to get ready for the filming of a TV commercial, plus a motor coach bus tour of grandparents and grandkids was heading our way.

The fog lifted in time for the video shooting, and the bus passengers were thrilled to be filmed "getting off the bus" as part of the commercial. Of course just a few shots of everything will be used, but they thought it was fun to be included.