Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park is at the southern border of Custer State Park. It was the first National Park to be designated to protect a cave. 

Since Wind Cave and Custer share a border, the same animals wander throughout both parks. These were our first sights when we crossed into the park. A bison, a pronghorn, and a prairie dog

Bison and friends

Prairie dog munching on grass

There is more to the park besides the cave. All the tours were sold out for that day, but since we've been to several caves already, we chose to hike the Wind Cave Canyon trail instead. The path is 3.6 miles roundtrip and passes limestone cliffs and forested hillsides. It's a good trail for birding. 

 Lee looking for cliff swallows

Most of the nests were empty

Spotted Towhees

Eastern Phoebe

Male Goldfinch

Female Goldfinch

Western Tanager who appears to have just had a bath. This was a lifer for me. Another check on my bird list!

Views from the trail

It appears that a bison has walked on this trail before us. I'm happy to say, he wasn't there while we were there! Several "buffalo chips" were seen on the trail. Apparently, they're good fire starters. I'll never know.

We're leaving Rapid City in the morning and stopping in Casper, WY for two nights. Arriving in the Tetons on Thursday. More later.