I want to be the mayor of Prairie Dog Town

This mother prairie dog at Caprock Canyons State Park looks like she's about to explode.

Although generally considered a nuisance by farmers, ranchers and cities because they are diggers, Black-tailed Prairie Dogs are tourist attractions in some state parks.

Bison get more attention at Caprock Canyons State Park, but the prairie dogs can be more fun to watch. It was a about 50 degrees and the wind was blowing about 20 miles an hour on the April morning we spent at the park during a stopover on our drive home from Amarillo.

The prairie dogs were popping in and out of their burrows. Their tails were twitching. They kept watching us, but didn't seem too concerned if we stayed in the car. 

Then along Highway 287, we saw the turnoff to Lake Arrowhead State Park. Although it was almost 5 p.m. and the rain was chasing us, we decided to stop. We found Prairie Dog Town by the loop near the fishing pier.

The critters at the Wichita Falls park were more vocal. They ran to their burrows and screeched at us while they were posed to duck underground when we got too close.

I could have watched them all day.

Prairie dog gives me the evil eye.

Sharing their concern about strangers on a rainy evening.