Ukrainian Prairie. My trip to Ukrainian Steppe, Day 2, part 1

Greetings from Ukraine, my friends and readers!

Make yourself comfortable, as I continue my series about most recent exciting trip to the central part of Ukraine, steppe.

These are links if you wonder about previous 2 parts:

Lost on the map. My trip to Ukrainian Steppe, Day 1 part 1
Minuscules. My trip to Ukrainian Steppe, Day 1 part 2

---

It was Saturday, last day before our Easter. And this day was dedicated to the main point of the whole journey - "Elanetskiy Natural Reserve". Its main attraction for us was American bison. As I know, it is the only place in Ukraine were they live in nature.

None of us has seen these animals before, so we were very excited about that. We didn't suspect then, that steppe has something else to impress us.

On the way

Thus, we arranged a meeting with a research officer of the Reserve. This kind woman agreed to be our guide and accompany us on her day off, as this is the area with a strictly restricted access of humans (according to her, only 500 visitors are allowed for a whole year).

It is usually a busy day for those who celebrate at home, that's why we didn't wish to keep her too long. We started at 9 am, and navigator promised we'd reach our destination in 3 hours.

We took an advice of locals and choose the longer path, as it appeared to has a better road condition. First part (68 km) we did in an hour, and it seemed that 2 hours for the rest of 65 km is too much.

But, man, was I wrong. I drove different routes, but I have never see holes 40 cm deep, somewhere up to 50. I thought that was just a hyperbole, but not. My husband was at the wheel and I was co-pilot watching the road as careful as I can. Sometimes I closed my eyes and waited for scratching sound. It was "Road of Life"...

Abandoned Maison

The first protected object appeared here in 1978 with the idea of saving the ecosystem of untouched Steppe. Now it is State Natural Reserve and covers an area of 2000 hectares.

2 object are here from the foundation - Zoo and so called "Palace of Nature". The building was constructed in 1979. Its purpose was education of children, and a rest. It has interesting design, 3 floors, observatory, dining room, showers etc.

After 1990 trying time started. Now it stands abandoned on the hill, and overlooks the landscape with sad eyes of empty windows and doorways. And winds and bushes are its best friends...

There is one ecological trail of 1.2 km long in the reserve. It goes to this only building and then to aviary of a Zoo.

Bisones and their newborn

Ecotrail goes by the restricted area called a Zoo. American Bisones live here. It is a fenced area of the steppe about 70 hectares.

This was our main attraction to see for today and the determining factor of the whole journey. Visitors are not allowed to come inside, and they should rely on a luck, when these big animals decide to approach to the grid fence.

Bisones feels good in the reserve. They have enough meal and no natural enemies here. Initially, bison weren't alone, kulans, deers and moufflons also lived here. But wolves hunted them. They can easily get in through the grid, and locked deer or kulan has no way out. So bad..

Unfortunately, they did not come closer. But what was the reason? There were 2 calf born last night! They were so tiny yet walking along the mummy. I think that is why the whole herd kept at a distance.

Look deeper, and you can see them in the center of the frame. This is the maximum zoom my lens can make.

Global changes

Poplar is no doubt considered a symbol of Ukraine. The mention of it is in many poems of Taras Shevchenko, the most known in the world Ukrainian poet, writer and a historical figure.

It is sad, but these slender trees native to steppe are now dead. Climate is constantly changes, and water vanishes, day by day. The reserve is to preserve unharmed, untouched steppe, but it can't help global changes. It affects total environment, plant and animal life.

Another one consequence is that real spring became almost twice short. This is a period when daytime temperature is above 0 C and night temperature is below 10 C.

The amount of fresh water decreases, as well as the level of precipitation in summer. Droughts and floods, as well as hurricanes and hail are becoming more frequent, their devastating effects increase. Our guide said that sometimes you can see Scorpion here, that never live here before. The unique landscape and ecosystem of Steppe slowly turns into a desert...

---

And we go on our path to another part of the area. It seemed that we have seen most exciting things, but this land is so amazing, and I will continue my story in the next post tomorrow.

And this is all for now. I will continue in the next post. All the photographs were taken on my trip using camera Pentak K-5.

I keep say THANK YOU for your time, your comments and even upvotes. It is always so nice to see you in my blog!

Stay tuned,

Unless stated otherwise all photos used in my posts are taken and owned by myself, if you wish to use any of my images please contact me

I am with @qurator, and you?

eSteem.app | GitHub | Telegram | Discord