The bison are having their calves now, and I have seen several newborns. I saw one that had just been born; it was still wet and laying down while its mother ate the afterbirth. While that seems gross, it's helpful to reduce the smell for fear of predators (the crows had already found them within minutes of birth) and because there is still some nutrition in that material that might as well not go to waste.
On a trip around the loop road, Amber and I saw upwards of 100 mule deer. There was a group of four at every turn. We probably saw more than half of the south unit's bison, too, plus a porcupine, several turkeys, elk, and the other usual suspects. The areas that were burned in a prescribed fire action last week look really nice with all the green grass coming up.
I am trying my best not to go to the Medora Ball, which is supposed to kick off the 125th anniversary of the founding of Medora. (Oh, can I please pay $50 to be in a socially awkward situation for which I cannot possibly be properly dressed?) There are some free tickets floating around out there and I'm trying not to be the one who ends up with them. It's not out of any spite for anyone that I don't want to go, just that I don't like that kind of social situation. Plus, supper is served at 10:00 PM. I will certainly die of starvation before then. My contribution to the big kickoff weekend is going to be giving the inaugural Maltese Cross Cabin tours.
