Years ago, burros were used to carry tourists up to the top of Harney Peak. When the concession closed down, the burros were released into the wild. They thrive in a semi-tame state along the Wildlife Loop Road, begging for food through car windows. There are warnings that they can be dangerous, but I think the danger consists mostly in the risk that they’ll take a bit of skin from a finger when you feed them. I had to push two of them out of the way to get into our car and lived to tell the story.
They’re not hard to find.
And they’re not shy.
I got out to take some photos. Immediately, three burros approached the car. The driver’s window was open, and two stuck their heads inside. My wife grabbed a bag of almonds and began feeding them. A third burro went around to the passenger side, but that window was closed, so it just licked the glass.
We hung around until we were out of almonds and the burros moved on to the next car.