Wildlife in the Black Hills

One day the group went on a tour of the Black Hills on the Needles Highway, and came back through Custer State Park. The Needles are a beautiful region of eroded granite pillars, towers, and spires.

There is even an Eye of the Needle.

The Highway is very twisty, and goes through several tunnels. Three of them line up with Mount Rushmore, purposely built that way.

This year we saw more buffalo than ever - both on the Needles Highway and in Custer State Park. When they want to cross the road, you better STOP!

Don't worry, I was in the car. But it was still scary they way he was coming right at the vehicle.

Besides lots of big males, there were a lot of mothers and babies. Lunch time!

And the prairie dogs were multiplying too.

The funniest, friendliest wildlife were the "Begging Burros" in Custer SP. They just line up on the road, and milk the tourists for everything they can. You don't even have to get out of the car - they just stick their heads in the windows.

Phil brought some grapes for the little beggers.

Which were healthier than the cookies this lady was handing out. But they will eat anything - and this practice is not frowned upon by park officials.

We also stopped by Sylvan Lake, created by a dam built in 1881.

And we took a short hike around the lake, where at one point we walked through a tunnel created by the rocks.

THE END!