Gaurdian of Mountains, Land, and Tribe

Black-tailed prairie dogs used to roam the great plains. Sensitive to disease, climate change, land conversion, and poor grazing practices remaining populations now serve as markers for environmental health. Intact praire dog populations often mean healthy numbers of badgers, coyotes, foxes, golden eagles, and hawks. On this morning I waited for this individual living on the border of Montana and North Dakota to emerge from its borrow. Here, it watches over a surrounding prairie dog colony. Surrounded by native forbs and mountains I like to think there is hope for this species. As I tripped the shudder to make this image another praire dog emerged from a nearby hole and ran across my back. Buried in the vegetation I vowed to keep watching over the mountains, land, and this tribe that is part of the land. Sizes: 8x10, 11x14, 12x18, 17x24, 20x30