Birds of Prey: Western Screech Owl

While this bird of prey may be minuscule, the Western Screech Owl (Megascops kennicottii) waits on perches to swoop down on unsuspecting prey.  They are active at night or near dusk, using their excellent hearing and night vision to locate prey.  It's diet is mainly small mammals, birds, and large insects.  Thanks to the Black Hills Raptor Center and the 2012 Black Hills Photo Shootout, we had the opportunity to spend a morning with this beautiful bird named Boo.

Boo is just a stunning 5 ounces in weight, but makes up for it in his stare down.  Amazingly, Boo, is blind in one eye and likely deaf in the ear on the same side of his head.  The photograph below shows how nature has chosen to camouflage Boo to match into the natural surroundings. 

Please join us in supporting the mission of the Black Hills Raptor Center by making a donation today at their website.  The center relies on contributions to keep the animal ambassadors ready to greet the community and teach the children about the wonderful, wild world of nature.

And while you are at it, join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC.  Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens... Google

Birds of Prey: Red-tailed Hawk

The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a bird of prey, one of three species known in the United States as the 'chickenhawk.'  It's diet is mainly small animals but includes reptiles and small birds.  Up to 85% of a this hawk's diet revolves around rodents.  The Red-tailed Hawk either scans for prey from an elevated perch or watches for its prey while flying.  Thanks to the Black Hills Raptor Center and the 2012 Black Hills Photo Shootout, we had the opportunity to spend a morning with this beautiful bird named Elise.

Elise, the red-tailed hawk, has visited over 1,000 classrooms as an educational ambassador for all birds of prey.

Please join us in supporting the mission of the Black Hills Raptor Center by making a donation today at their website.  The center relies on contributions to keep the animal ambassadors ready to greet the community and teach the children about the wonderful, wild world of nature.

And while you are at it, join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC.  Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...

2012 Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup - Part II

The main event at the 2012 Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup is the thundering herd flowing over the hilltops into sight.  You can feel and hear them, before you see them.  The morning of waiting, long lines to the porta-potties, and dusty air are worth the sight of that first buffalo cresting the hills. Then the rest of the herd begins its slow build over the crest into a full run, followed by cowboys and cowgirls cracking their whips to get the herd pointed in the direction they want them to go in. The herd is willing this year and follows their coordinated directions.

With the riders and vehicles bringing up the final herd from behind, the hardest part is done. Now the buffalo know what to do. They head into the corrals.

Great care is taken not only for the safety of the buffalo, but for the crowd and riders as well. The buffalo, riders, and spectators all made it through another year of the Buffalo Roundup.

And when all is said and done - it comes down to one thing. This is where the west was won...God bless, and see you next year at the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup!

Please, don't forget to check out these photographs and more in our 2012 Buffalo Roundup gallery on the Dakota Visions Photography, LLC website.  And while you are at it, join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , or Twitter.  Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...

2012 Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup - Part I

The 47th Annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup was considered a great success this year.  Spectators received the thrill of their life by the great show put on by Chad Kremer, the herd manager at Custer State Park, and the many employees plus volunteer riders.  This multi-day event draws people from as far away as Germany, Australia, and New Zealand.  There is no other place in the world, where you can sit with 10-15,000 people from around the world and watch nearly a 1,000 bison rumble at up to speeds of 50 mph across the prairie, than in western South Dakota. 

Even before the park gates open at 6:15am, the line of cars at the two main entrances are backed up for a mile or two.  Steadily, as the traffic flows in all morning, the crowd begins to gather in their favorite spot on the north or south of the park corrals.  But don't be late - they close the gates to allow for minimal distraction and problems with viewing around 9/9:30am.  You don't want to miss this one!

The morning sun rises in Custer State Park and creates a beautiful backdrop for a breakfast served on site of pancakes, sausage, and hot chocolate! 

The staff and volunteers help get the crowd riled up and ready for the main show.  Here, Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup long-time volunteer, A.J. Walters, takes questions from the audience.  As you can see, the staff and volunteers take good care to provide an excellent show.  And in the background, you can see - the tourist buses, literally roll into the park for this show!

And as the time draws nearer to the 9:30-10:00am roundup, the park staff and volunteers get the crowd ready.  The take questions, point out the roundup route for newcomers, and even tell a few good-humored jokes. 

And then the main event arrives...  Oops, guess we'll have to save that for Part II of this series! 

Stay tuned for more on the 2012 Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup later this week.  And don't forget to check out these photographs and more as we begin to add them into our 2012 Buffalo Roundup gallery on the Dakota Visions Photography, LLC website.  And while you are at it, join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , or Twitter.  Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...