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Monday, May 14, 2012

Where the Buffalo Roam

The wonderful thing about Mother's Day is that one's family feels obligated to do whatever crazy activity the mother wants to do.  At least that's the way I see it, so yesterday, I buffaloed my family into going along for a picnic at Fermilab.

Fermilab, or Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, is a large facility in Batavia, Illinois dedicated to particle physics research.  It is best known for its Tevatron, a four-mile particle accelerator.  Fermilab is a campus of 6,800 acres of former prairie and farmland.  The campus is open to visitors for biking, dog walking, a stroll through the prairie, and, of course, science education.

The real draw for me, however, is the small herd of North American bison (aka American buffalo).  Bison have lived at Fermilab since 1969 when they were brought to the site by Robert Wilson, the laboratory's first director, as a way to recognize and maintain the connection to the prairie.



Luckily on Sunday, the bison were down at one end of their large grazing area, near the double fence so, after a trek along the pasture from the security building, we were able to get a close-up look at them.  They are in the process of shedding their winter coats, so they looked a bit ragged, but still awe-inspiring.


Bison stand 5-6.5 feet tall (1.5-2 meters) and can weigh from 930-2,200 pounds (422-998 kilograms).  While the husband thought they looked quite docile, they can and will attack, and can run almost 40 miles (65 km) an hour! According to the National Park Service, every year bison injure visitors to Yellowstone Park who get too close to the herd.  I wouldn't want to get too close, but I enjoyed getting just close enough to these majestic creatures that once roamed the American prairies and the American west.

Protected by a double row of fencing. The one you see here, closest to the bison, is electrified.





24 comments:

  1. What a wonderful way to spend Mother's Day! Cannot imagine anyone complaining about going there and seeing those beautiful animals.

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  2. What a fun day! I love seeing most any kind of animal. We have a bison range here at Land Between the Lakes and we usually go at some point during the summer but rarely catch a glimpse of them! You were lucky!!

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  3. They are amazing aren't they. Great choice. I think you win the prise for the most original Mothers Day.

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  4. Wow! Sounds like so much fun! Great pictures, too. Thanks so much for sharing. =) It's crazy that they can run that fast! I would love to visit this Fermilab place.

    ~Kim
    http://2justByou.blogspot.com

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  5. Happy Mother's Day to you! I love seeing the landscape of different regions of our country. Those bison look amazing. I've never seen one in person before. What a fabulous opportunity and a great way to spend a day. :-)

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  6. How neat! I bet you didn't have to twist their arms too much, did you?
    This was very informative-thanks for sharing it!

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  7. Aren't they amazing creatures? I always love looking at them. Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Laura

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  8. Hi there, what a great idea for Mother's Day! These guys are amazing, but I'm like you, I wouldn't get too close! great photos! I bet you had a wonderful day! thanks so much for coming by to visit!

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  9. They look intimidating enough for me! Wow...that gives me chills though. I've always had a strong connection with seeing animals and one like that with such a historical connection to so much of our country is awe-inspiring, you're right! Glad you had a lovely mother's day!

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  10. Sounds like a great place to visit. I love seeing the Buffalo too. Their head alone is so massive! We always keep our distance. I know I can't outrun one.

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  11. Now you don't see bison here in Sydney! What a lovely day. I would have loved to have been there and seeing these animals from a safe distance. It's sad that their numbers today are so few xx

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  12. these are BIG ;) great pictures

    http://excurlythoughts.blogspot.com

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  13. Lovely post! Every time I see buffalo, I wonder how on earth anyone ever gets close enough to milk them for all those delicious buffalo mozzarellas.. ;-) Thanks for sharing them with us - as Charlie says, we don't get them here in Sydney!

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  14. What a wonderful way to spend mother's day. When you first started writing I thought I think she's too clever for me I'll just go to another simpler blog. Phew..what a relief when you started writing about ordinary things! Joan

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  15. These creatures are so beautiful! What a lovely day you had :) Maggie xx

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  16. What a fun way to spend your Mother's Day. I'll have to remind my husband next year that it's all about what the Mom wants to do! I wonder if there are particles colliding beneath the buffalo's feet.

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  17. I agree with you that Mother's Day is the one day when mother's get to choose! so refreshing!
    That looks like a lovely place! Buffalo and prairie and all. People just don't take into consideration that wild animals are actually wild. The electric fence surely helps.

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  18. Great post and beautiful pics! :)

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  19. How about that: a bison bouquet for Mother's Day!

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  20. Interesting post and great pictures.

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  21. WOW! I've never seen one in person, but I've always thought they were so cool! How neat that you got that close.

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  22. I am reading your blog, and I am noticing your photography. It really is spectacular! All of it.

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