Tag: animals

Out of Hiding

We have had a few storms, and cold fronts move through, and the Mule Deer rut seems to be starting early this year. Usually, I don’t see any rutting behavior until Thanksgiving which is 3 weeks away. I like to wait a few weeks to check the cameras but with daylight savings happening on Sunday I decided to go out and change the timers on all the cameras for more accurate data. What a difference a few days made. All of the sudden the big boys have come out to play!

All summer long, on the trail cams and in person I’ve only seen a few smaller bucks. I wondered if all the big ones got taken by lions, hit by cars or fell to any number hazards that they are subject to. This week several new guys showed up all at once on the trail cameras checking out the does a little early this year.

So far this is the biggest buck I’ve seen you never know who might show up to compete for the does. I think it is going to be an interesting year with everything kicking off early. I was so pleased to get the in-person photo of the stately buck I used as the feature image for this post.

Unexpected Gift

There are wild horses present in the areas I have my cameras set out. I have to carefully place them where the rampaging 1000-pound animals won’t knock them over, rub against them or otherwise play havoc with them. It is disappointing to wait two or three weeks to see what sort of photos you are going to get from a set and then walk up to the camera knocked over or askew. I have gotten better at placement, but it still happens.

A few weeks ago, I looked at one of my cameras in dismay as it had been knocked out of position and faced the bark of a big cottonwood tree that I had hoped would protect it from the horses. Well, that is going to be a complete waste of that set I thought. I was pleasantly surprised to see this little mouse show up on the tree bark at night.

Mule Deer

All of a sudden, after an incredibly hot summer, it is fall. We even got substantial rain the last few days. Rain is always welcome in the desert. It was cool enough for me to make the long hike across the river to check those cameras. I was delighted to run into several deer who have been ghosts on the trail cams. A couple of young bucks with does.

This guy has really high antlers. He still is in velvet.

This photo shows how the deer change their coats from summer red to the grey they will wear until spring of next year. The bucks are already in grey, and the doe is transitioning to it in the picture.

Mountain Lion and Bobcat Updates

I checked that trail cameras yesterday and was pleased to see that I have my first Mountain Lion showing up since February. The dates indicate that this Lion showed up the first week of September. This Lion is alone so maybe a young one or a lone male. I am pleased to see that he/she is still only a night visitor to the area as I have no desire to meet it in person. Still carrying my bear spray on my belt just in case.

On to the Bobcat…these are not great photos, but I believe it is a mama Bobcat sitting and waiting for a kitten or one of it’s kittens to catch up. You have to look closely at the photos to make them out. I apologize for the quality.

Arabian Horses

I love taking photos of wildlife and birds, but I have been neglecting another interest which is horses. I used to take a lot of wild horse photos, and I photographed barrel races and rodeos for years but have drifted away from those subjects. I am again thinking about getting out and taking wild horse photos and wanted to brush up on my skills. I live quite close to the Livestock Events center and so I spent a few days at a big Arabian Horse show that has been going on this week.

What pampered and fussed over animals these horses are! The grooming and primping was never ending as the horses were readied for their events. I had access to the barns and warm up areas which allowed me to get a lot of photos and practice.

I enjoyed photographing and spending time around these beautiful horses, but I thought they looked bored with all the falderal. I look forward to finding myself among the scruffy, unkempt wild ones once more.

Close Call!

While going through the trail cam photos I noticed what I am going to say was a very close call. A coyote is stalking a mule deer fawn and the mom confronts him. I think this ended happily for the fawn. Lets look at the photos.

At 6:43 AM the fawn is passing through this grassy area. Mom must have passed through earlier. The camera never picked her up.

Same time and date the fawn is looking out front having moved a few steps forward.

Twelve minutes later a coyote is seen. He/she is sniffing the grass where the fawn paused and I think urinated.

Coyote is sniffing around and looking for the fawn I would guess.

Now you see the doe come back and apparently confront the coyote while the fawn I hope stayed hidden. I didn’t get anymore photos of this incident. I hope it turned out okay for the fawn. Coyotes do kill and eat fawns and yes, it is part of nature, but I have to root for the baby here. I think Mom saved the day.