These early spring bloomers struggle for light and warmth and after a few weeks of vigorous activity, they disappear or sometimes persist in the shade of other plants long into the summer.

May and June is a colorfest as the wildflowers rush to finish their work before the blistering days of summer. Now there are flowers to be made and seeds to spread. The prairie buck bean, rock sandwort, sego lily, prairie phlox as well as the prairie ragwort can be seen with their bright yellow or white flowers basking in the sun. This is an excellent time to hunt and identify wildflowers in the area.

In the summer months when moisture is scarce, the prickly pear, large flower to sedum lanceolatum, beards tongue, sawsepal penstemon, standing milk vetch, death camas (which is possibly the most poisonous plant in the area and looks a lot like a wild onion), western yarrow and lupines are in full bloom.

In the later part of summer and into fall, flowers such as the sunflower, asters, goldenrods, and some species of the Gentian family are in bloom. These are but a few of the wildflowers found in the Pine Bluffs area.

The succulent green growth of wildflowers are an important source of protein to the doe mule deer nursing her fawns. Bird life of the area rely on the insects, hatched in the shade of wildflowers as a source of calcium and protein for producing eggs. Young birds also require this insect food in early stages of growth.

With a wildflower field guide and some time in the field you can discover a whole new world. You will see that wild beauty in the eye of humans is also an important part of the formula making Wyoming’s wildlife a nation.

Tipi Rings
The classic plains lifestyle often depicted in the movies developed after the European introduction of the horse which provided more mobility, allowing the Indians to follow buffalo (bison) herds, increased trade and contact with other Indian tribes and Euro-American traders and explorers. Archaeological sites of this time period are often recognize by the presence of spaced stone circles or “tipi rings.”

Actually several thousand years ago, Native American Indian groups developed a conical leather tent, or “tipi,” which was ideally suited to a nomadic life on the High Plains. With a shape offering low wind resistance, ventilating flaps for catching the breeze in warm weather, and other features. No better design has ever been developed.

The bottom edge of the hide covered tipis was often held down with a circle of rocks which were left in place when the tent was moved. Some of these “tipi rings” are relatively complete and obvious to anyone, while others, with just a few rocks, require identification and verification by professional archaeologists. These stone circles or “tipi rings” are found throughout the Pine Bluffs area and Plains in general are one of the lasting legacies of the rich history of the human occupation of the High Plains.

The Prairie Rattlesnake
Less conspicuous than the pronghorn antelope and the golden eagle is an even more ancient inhabitant of the high plains and valley of Wyoming, the prairie rattlesnake. Feared by many and respected by most, these pit vipers (so-called because of their heat—sensing facial pits used to detect warm bodied prey) are common in the eastern two-thirds of the state in all but alpine habitats. During winter these snakes hibernate in underground dens for up to eight months. In spring they migrate away from the dens in search of food (typically rodents and other small mammals) and mates. Studies show that they move from the den in virtually a straight-line path covering perhaps several miles until they find a food source. They stay on their fixed-angle course by using the sun as a navigational aid. When the temperature cools in fall, the snakes return to the same den.

The habitat around you no doubt contains many of these secretive and fascinating reptilian hunters, but there is really very little to fear. Though they are poisonous and seemingly hostile, evidence indicates that chances of being bitten are virtually nil, as long as the snake is not touched, provoked, or frightened. Since rattlesnakes are deaf and cannot actually hear rattling, this behavior is believed to be defensive. A rattling rattlesnake is simply trying to warn or drive off another creature if it perceives to be a threat.

If you encounter a prairie rattlesnake, give it plenty of room and you will be in no danger—its probably more frightened than you are. Allow the snake to go on its way and hunt prey like its ancestors have done in this area for thousands and thousands of years. The prairie rattler may not earn you admiration, but it deserves respect as a fascinating and important element of Wyoming’s wildlands.

Archaeological Site
Archaeology is the scientific study of prehistoric peoples, and deals with lifeways, subsistence practices, settlement patterns, and prehistoric technology. The bluffs extending east and south from Pine Bluffs incorporate one of the largest concentrations of archaeological sites on the western plains. Although perhaps not as impressive as the archaeological record of many other regions, the Pine Bluffs area contains a rich prehistoric legacy. This scattering of chipped stone artifacts, burned rock, stone circles, (tipi rings), and other materials represents and accumulation from over 11,000 years of occupation by small groups of nomadic Native American Indian peoples.

The Pine Bluffs Site, one of the largest sites in the area, is located on and around the bluff on the west side of the I-80 Rest Area. Excavations by archaeologists from University of Wyoming have revealed cultural levels which include the entire range of occupation, from early historic plains Indian tribes such as the Arapaho, Kiowa, Cheyenne, and Dakota back to the earliest Pleistocene (ice age) big game hunters.

These archaeological excavations revealed the remains of butchered buffalo (bison), deer, antelope, rabbits, and other small mammals. Plant remains have also been found which together indicate these prehistoric ancestors of the modern American Indians lived by hunting the wild animals inhabiting the prairies and from gathering wild plants. Although a wide range of plant and animal resources were used by prehistoric inhabitants of the Pine Bluffs area, evidence reveals that bison were the preferred game animal. The Pine Bluffs site is a “master key” for the study of the prehistoric occupation of the entire region.