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Last May my husband and I traveled to Yellowstone National Park. With park map in hand we set out early each morning to various areas within the park with a list of various wildlife that could be seen. We did see some amazing creatures, the list of which I will save for future posts, however the most prominent and plentiful wildlife in the park are the American Bison.Being from Oklahoma we were familiar with Bison or Buffalo. The story of the buffalo goes hand in hand with the Native American history of our state and region. I did not expect to be wowed by these creatures.
The American Bison was almost extinct in the late 1800's and now there are approx. 4000 in Yellowstone Park. They congregate in small groups throughout the park.
Because we were there in May we saw many newborn bison and watched in amazement from the road side as they cared and protected their young.
That was "sweet", and "precious" and because they were plentiful, by the third day we were passing them without a second glance. Until, we saw this ONE bison.
In my curiosity as to why this bison would not be with the others, my husband shared with me that when bison get old they are segregated from their herds and left alone. Whether by choice or forced this ONE bison was a symbol for me of the aging in our society. It made me sad to see this ONE possibly ill or suffering alone in this meadow.
I do not want this to be the statement of how our "human herd" treats their aging.We have an increasing population of the aging. Will our society care for them and keep them in the fold of society? Will we continue to learn from their wisdom? Will we work hard to keep them working and thriving?
Something to ponder....
Abundance is...hearing an old family tale from your grandparents.
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Wow, I didn't know this about aging bison.
ReplyDeleteWe live pretty close to FermiLab and they raise bison there. It's really quite amazing!
I had no idea there were so many bison in Yellowstone Park.
ReplyDeleteI really like the issue you raised here....I pray that when I'm old I'll be embraced, not segregated, and that I always respect and take care of my elders!
Wow, those are amazing -thanks for sharing :-) true relics in today's world.
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that when an elderly person passes away, humanity losses a library... isn't that something to ponder?
Happy WW!
I didn't realize the babies were so light. It looked like a little calf at first glance. Sure are cute.
ReplyDeleteThe elderly bison is a very sad sight. Did you see many of them off by themselves like this?
ReplyDeleteThe baby one is precious, though. It looks so soft.
Happy WordFUL Wednesday.
-smarmoofus
I wholeheartedly agree with this post. I think it is shameful, the way we treat our elderly in this country.
ReplyDeleteI have no grandparents left on this earth, I would love to hear just one more family tale.
Once again your abundance quote is 'spot on'......hearing an old family tale....
ReplyDeleteThe baton as been passed to me to keep researching our Family Tree since my father died in 2006 and I am relishing the task as I get to hear more stories about our family history.
BTW I have tagged you, so if you head over to my blog you will find out more details.
Take care
Peggy
Great thoughts. There actually used to be a bison farm in the part of WV where I lived. Your photos are amazing.
ReplyDeleteOh, Yellowstone. I went cross country when I was 23 with an ex and we camped in this park. It was so awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is so sad! Our family has had this discussion and have made the determination that unless we had a severely ill family member that required care beyond our capabilities, we would never put them in a home or some such place. I think those are important discussions to have before the situation actually arises.
ReplyDeleteThat really is sad and interesting. I didn't know that about the bison and great thinker topic. My mom loves the elderly and is always taking care of them and sometimes I just take it for granted...but I should do my part too. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThat makes us think doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteIn China, despite all their other human rights ills, I hear they really respect their older residents.
I hope we do the same here in this country and respect our elderly.
Beautiful photos and touching capture of that one, lone buffalo.
I never knew that, by the way, so I learned something new.
This is a moving post and so unexpected. We really do need to take care of our elderly.
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures.
we so want to go here as well . . . later when the kids are older.
ReplyDelete. . . or hearing that story in abundance! ha ha - if I hear some stories one more time - I'll crack!
I discuss this often with my Mom (who is 74). She feels like she is just a burden on others. She get's overlooked by people and then hears exasperated sighs from others because she is so slow. She say's sometimes she feels like the world is spinning all around her and she is stuck. It makes us both sad. Gone are the days when old people were considered "wisdom keepers." Older people have so much wisdom to share but no one has time to listen...
ReplyDeleteYellow Stone National Park is one of my all-time favorite trips to take. We rented an RV last fall on a whim, drove through Wyoming, and up into Yellowstone. We had such a fun time and entered the park from every single entrance point. I think it was the north entrance that had all of the switchbacks. Did you enter through there. It was sooooooo high! We were above the clouds. We got some great pics.
ReplyDeleteFun!
Well I learned something new today! I had no idea the elderly bison are "abandoned" by the young-folk.
ReplyDeleteYellowstone is beautiful, isn't it? I was there when I was young but stillr remember feeling really small when I was there.
Great post!
Oh - and I printed off your book list. We went to the library on Monday, only I left the list on the counter. Next time I'm brining it because I didn't get such great books this time. Thanks for that!
Where do you get the backgrounds for you buttons? I've only found a few but now that I've (somewhat) figured it out, I want to do more! LOL...
How sad, and how true that it applies to people at times, too. Thanks for making me think today.
ReplyDeleteRoban
Beautiful pictures! I did not know Bison segregated like that. How very sad. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Love the photos.
ReplyDeleteI hope i am not cast out in my twilight years like an elderly Bison :(
My children visit their Great Grandparents a lot (they live 4 hours away, we visit every 6 weeks) and listen to stories of the war and of what it was like when they were children. Wish more people would remember their older loved ones, once they are gone, so are their stories.
Calves were cute though!!
Well said! What a poignant path you took...
ReplyDeleteThose are some nice bison pictures. My parents live within a couple of hours of Yellowstone, yet I've only been there approximately 3 times!
ReplyDeleteWe really should try to go and take the kiddos!