Beethoven the Buffalo

 

    A few years ago, my best friend and I took at trip up to Badlands National Park in South Dakota. We both have always enjoyed nature and photography, so we spent time marrying the two after our high school graduation. 

    Growing up with Native American heritage, I learned greatly about the importance of the buffalo to this culture. Therefore, I wanted to take time to watch the buffalo herds in the central United States and utilize my friend's newly bought camera to capture the moment. The first thing I noticed about these animals was the size of them: they are huge! I can see why the Native Americans relied so heavily on the herds because one kill would feed and clothe an entire family, and then some. They all just roamed so nonchalantly, without a care in the world, grazing on the grass around them. It was so peaceful. I could watch them for hours. 

    We talked about how to walk correctly in class, and I believe the best way to learn to walk "correctly" is by watching animals in nature. Walking is one of the skills that the buffalo have mastered; they are not distracted by technology, social media, politics, financial issues, or social pressure, so when they walk, they simply walk. As shown in the picture, this buffalo, who my friend and I named "Beethoven", was walking so casually alone in the planes. We must have watched him walk for half an hour before continuing on our way. 

    We then meandered our way back to where we were staying, driving down through the high fields nestled above where the landscape drops down into the canyon land.