Tag Archives: niobrara valley preserve

Photo of the Week – January 8, 2015

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I was able to take a trip up to the Niobrara Valley Preserve just after the first of the year.  Snow covered the ground and it was bitterly cold much of the time I was there, but there was one evening’s worth of good light and reasonable temperatures that allowed for some photography.  Here are two images from that evening that show the landscape from two vastly different perspectives.

The

Ice and snow covered The Nature Conservancy’s Niobrara Valley Preserve last weekend.  This is a panoramic image comprised of several photos merged together.  You can click on the image to see a larger version of it.

The Niobrara Valley Preserve is a place that feels big (and it is).  From some of the higher vantage points on site, you can see for many miles in every direction.  It’s easy to feel swallowed up by that expansiveness – something that I find exhilarating, but others find overwhelming.  At the same time, much of the beauty of the place is found in the smaller details, including simple things such as the top of a ragweed plant emerging from a glistening hole in the melting snow…

Ragweed in snow. Niobrara Valley Preserve, Nebraska.

Ragweed in snow. Niobrara Valley Preserve, Nebraska.

I am very fortunate to be able to make regular visits to the Niobrara Valley Preserve.  Despite the cold, snow, and wind, this latest trip was one of my favorites.  I’m sure I will go back soon.

Photo of the Week – November 7, 2014

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It’s been a busy week, capped off by two days helping staff and volunteers with a bison roundup at The Nature Conservancy’s Niobrara Valley Preserve.  The bison in the Preserve’s two herds are pretty much left alone all year except for one annual roundup.  Those roundups allow staff to sort off animals to be sold, innoculate calves that will be kept, and get a (fairly) accurate count of the herd.  Yesterday was the main event, during which animals were herded into the corrals and run through a series of gates, alleys, and pens.  Most of the animals were in and out of the corral within about 5 hours.  The veterinarian will be here today to help process the rest.

Despite best efforts, the roundup – while important – is a little stressful for both bison and staff, so both parties are glad to see it end.  As groups of animals are released to join their peers back in the hills, their excitement is palpable.  The photo below captures one of those moments.

Heading home...

Heading home…

Within a few minutes of their release, the bison were back to grazing – apparently peacefully – out in the hills.  Life goes on…