Tallgrass Prairie Preserve

"The outstanding scientific discovery of the twentieth century is not television, or radio, but rather the complexity of the land organism. Only those who know the most about it can appreciate how little we know about it. The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?" Aldo Leopold

The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve near the town of Pawhuska in northeast Oklahoma may, at first glance, appear as a vast wasteland, devoid of life and beauty. But the visitor who is patient and persistent will be rewarded with a combination of sights and sounds that can be found in few other locations. This functioning prairie ecosystem has more than 1200 bison grazing on 37,000 acres. It is not uncommon to find your vehicle literally surrounded by the great, shaggy beasts. Owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, the historic Barnard ranch house serves as a visitor center and headquarters.  The approximately 40 miles of gravel road that access the area can be very dusty under dry conditions and somewhat soft in wet weather. However, this can be a blessing in disguise as the prairie has one attribute that is rare in today's world, NO CROWDS. In fact, one can explore for hours without seeing another soul!

 While the buffalo may be the most conspicuous resident here, there's plenty of other wildlife to look for. Over 300 bird species have been recorded at the prairie. Most common are the Meadowlark, Dickcissel, Brown Thrasher, Killdeer, Carolina wren, and the beautiful Scissor-tailed flycatcher. During the summer months, watch the road sides for the common Nighthawk.  Upland sandpipers often perch on fence posts. Prairie chickens gather on areas called leks for their annual mating rituals. Turkey vultures and red-tail hawks constantly soar with the rising air currents. Northern Harriers are numerous in winter.

In the evening, around sundown, take a moment to get out of your vehicle and stand in the grasses. Experience the solitude. Listen for the eerie howl of the coyote. Let it take you back in time to when the prairie was such a vital part of the lives of the pioneers and the American West. Listen also, to the sound of silence.

Click on arrows to scroll through photos. Click on thumbnails for larger image.

Bison and calf

Common Nighthawk

Greater Prairie Chicken

Scissortail Flycatcher

In Your Face

Upland Sandpiper

April, May, and June are prime times for viewing the newborn bison.

Watch for this summer prairie resident on fence posts or even on the ground. They get active in early morning or late evening as they dive and dart through the sky looking for insects.

Based on a report from the Sutton Avian Research Center of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, the alarming population decline of the prairie chicken seems to have leveled off recently.

The state bird of Oklahoma poses with a fledgling.

Never leave your vehicle if the bison are close. They're a lot faster than what they look.

Hard to spot during the day, this bird often sits on a post or rock toward evening.

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Bison and calf

April, May, and June are prime times for viewing the newborn bison.

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