September 24, 2012

More than 1,000 buffalo thunder across the prairie land Monday, Sept. 24, 2012, during the 47th annual Buffalo Roundup in western South Dakota’s Custer State Park. Event organizers estimate that more than 14,000 people attended the event.

Two-year-old Jameson Maxwell plays cowboy as parents Maria and Ryan Maxwell of Rock Valley, Iowa, look on, Monday, Sept. 24, 2012 in Custer, S.D. The family was among more than 14,000 spectators from across the world who gathered to watch the herding of about 1,000 buffalo during the 47th annual Buffalo Roundup in western South Dakota’s Custer State Park.

More than 1,000 buffalo thunder across the prairie land Monday, Sept. 24, 2012, during the 47th annual Buffalo Roundup in western South Dakota’s Custer State Park. Event organizers estimate that more than 14,000 people attended the event.

More than 1,000 buffalo thunder across the prairie land Monday, Sept. 24, 2012, during the 47th annual Buffalo Roundup in western South Dakota’s Custer State Park. Event organizers estimate that more than 14,000 people attended the event.

Linda SoloRio of Decatur, Ala., talks Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, about readying for time at Custer State Park’s annual Buffalo Roundup. Nearly 1,300 buffalo are to be corralled by about 60 men and women on horseback at the 47th annual event Monday in western South Dakota. More than 12,000 spectators were expected to descend on the area.

Bennie Barcroft readies Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, to take part in Custer State Park’s annual Buffalo Roundup. Barcroft, who raises buffalo near Memphis, Tenn., has participated in the South Dakota event for years and considers the state his second home. Nearly 1,300 buffalo are to be corralled by about 60 men and women on horseback at the 47th annual event Monday in western South Dakota. More than 12,000 spectators were expected to descend on the area.

Buffalo recline on prairie land in Custer State Park on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, the day before nearly 1,300 buffalo are to be corralled by about 60 men and women on horseback at the 47th annual Buffalo Roundup in western South Dakota. More than 12,000 spectators were expected to descend on the area for the Monday herding.

Buffalo gather on prairie land in Custer State Park on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, the day before nearly 1,300 buffalo are to be corralled by about 60 men and women on horseback at the 47th annual Buffalo Roundup in western South Dakota. More than 12,000 spectators were expected to descend on the area for the Monday herding.

Hannah Kremer, 14, far right, talks with her sister Grace Kremer, 9, both of Custer, as crowds catch a glimpse of the approximately 1,000 buffalo that were corralled during the 47th annual Buffalo Roundup in western South Dakota’s Custer State Park, Monday, Sept. 24, 2012. Organizers said the event drew more than 14,000 spectators from across the world.

More than 1,000 buffalo thunder across the prairie land Monday, Sept. 24, 2012, during the 47th annual Buffalo Roundup in western South Dakota’s Custer State Park. Event organizers estimate that more than 14,000 people attended the event.

More than 1,000 buffalo thunder across the prairie land Monday, Sept. 24, 2012, during the 47th annual Buffalo Roundup in western South Dakota’s Custer State Park. Event organizers estimate that more than 14,000 people attended the event.