During the Pronghorn’s brief mating season in September, they are a little less wary and getting a decent photo is a bit more likely. Even so, they are usually heading over the hill by the time I get my camera out. A quick little whistle can often make them stop and look back.
Category: Wyoming’s Wildlife
Pronghorn: Icon of Wyoming
Perfectly adapted to the sage brush steppe, Pronghorn, Antilocapra americana, is an iconic wildlife species of Wyoming. Visitors are often surprised when they see pronghorn, saying they “look like something from Africa.” Pronghorn are the second fastest land mammal on the planet, able to reach speeds exceeding 50 mph. Sagebrush is a staple of their…
Boys in the Hood
With low light, a zoom lens, and no tripod there wasn’t much chance of a stellar shot, but I thought you might enjoy the “boys” I’ve been seeing every morning. For those unfamiliar with agriculture in the Rocky Mountain West, it’s worth mentioning that it is estimated 80% of Wyoming’s native animals depend on private…
Well That’s Frustrating
Frustrating if you’re hunting elk, that is. These elk found a safe spot as elk season opened a few days ago. They have situated themselves on private land with a highway on two sides and houses on the third, it’s illegal to take a shot under these circumstances and they seem to know it.
The Deer and the Antelope Play
While the antelope spend most of their time in the lower elevation sagebrush steppe, the mule deer spend this time of year in a variety of habitats. Driving along some brushy, deep creek bottoms and riparian areas I witnessed the muleys in their pre-rut frolicking. The “rut” is the period when the males are actively…
Take a Break
Grab a cup of coffee- or your preferred beverage- sit back, and watch this video to see some of the most spectacular footage of northwest Wyoming featuring fascinating and intelligent content regarding elk migration.
Return of the Lark
The Western Meadowlark is the first sign of spring. Around the second week of March we start asking, “Have you heard a Meadowlark yet?” Logically I know spring is coming, but there’s something very reassuring when that first Meadowlark song is heard The song of our Meadowlark is very distinct, and I think one of…
Sage Grouse Viewing
March and April mark the mating period for Greater Sage Grouse. The males’ sunrise courting display is very unique and takes place on an open piece of ground called a lek. the males and females return to the lek every year for mating. The males strut and puff up their chests by inflating air sacs….
Unseen Wildlife
I often see the evidence of wildlife which have passed through. I always feel a little bit embarrassed, as if I was late to some special occasion. Those elk tracks are from yesterday and I’m a day late. That bobcat was on a hunt last night, but I was sleeping. If only I’d walked through…
No Roadrunners Here
We had a wet spring in 2015 which resulted in a bumper crop of rabbits and mice. The coyotes are now reaping the benefits. This coyote was pretty intent on running away from me until he caught a whiff of dinner. He couldn’t ignore it.
Wyoming Life 