On our last trip to southwest Montana in mid-June ago we encountered a doe pronghorn and her twin fawns. This is cold, high country and fawning season had just begun so other than these two we saw very few fawns, even though pronghorn numbers were high.
I’ll try to avoid the word “cute” throughout this post but it won’t be easy.
The mother was just out of frame to the left for this shot. I’ve found it to be difficult to get catch lights in the eyes of pronghorn despite the fact that their bulging eyes are huge. Here I got light in the eye of one fawn but…
lost it when it looked at me to give me direct eye contact from both youngsters.
The twins seemed to take comfort in each others company and usually cavorted together. There was sagebrush between us so I got few shots of them that were unobstructed where both fawns were sharp.
I’m including this image for two reasons – so you can see the “family unit” and to point out the raised rump hairs of the fawn on the left.
When alarmed Pronghorn erect their long, white rump hairs as a warning signal which makes the rump appear brighter and almost double in size. Adults often give off an alarm scent at the same time which has been described as smelling like buttered popcorn. This “butt shot” of the fawns shows a good comparison of the raised rump hairs of the fawn on the left as compared to the “normal” rump patch of the other fawn.
Mia always giggles with absolute delight when she sees baby pronghorn and this day was no exception. And yes, she called them “cute”.
And I’ll admit that I agree.
Ron
Wonderful photos! Thank you for taking them and sharing. They are very cute!!
C.U.T.E. = Cuddly Ungulate Tiny Endearing
Thanks, Ron!
Oh my, they are soooo cute! I have never seen baby pronghorn before. Thanks for sharing.
Catch lights in the eyes aren’t everything. I’m glad you included the second frame; it’s a great composition!
They’re more than cute, they’re adorable!
Aw, beautiful images!
I’m so glad you included the family shot, as I really couldn’t tell just how small the youngsters were until then. Thanks, Ron. Too bad C*TE is such a 4-letter word among us … I confess have a similar knee jerk reaction when someone gushes over the ‘cuteness’ of pygmy owls – and used to purposely leave a half-eaten prey item with them when I would have one on display. heh heh. Of course, they are serious killers, despite being cute!
I love the family unit. Such noble creatures with so much beauty and innocence.
I love seeing the pronghorns, but it is rare to see the babies. And they are adorable! Thanks!
Is that an old wound on the female’s right shoulder blade or just a cowlick from licking. It looks pretty deep into the hair.
I’m not sure what it is, Ginny.
I was raised in the northern panhandle of Texas and have always loved them! I think that’s where the song whose lyrics “Oh give me a home where the deer and the antelope play….”(I think that’s what they were once called). At least according to one account the pronghorn were often referred to as antelope.
In any event, your shots are truly delightful! Thanks so much for sharing!
Charlotte Norton
I think that most folks still incorrectly call them “antelope”, Charlotte. And place names like Antelope Island help to perpetuate that error.
Those CUTE fawns must be tiny. I’ve seen pronghorns up pretty close, and they were not large animals. Fun series of photos, and educational, as usual.
You’re absolutely right, Susan. Adult pronghorn aren’t as big as many folks think they are and these fawns were very small.
Dare I say SUPER CUTE!!! Thanks!!
Thanks, Leisa.
Totally agree – CUTE CUTE CUTE! It looks like they already have each others back! Also love the size comparison!
They sure seemed to stick together, Nancy. Thank you.
Why avoid the obvious? Listen to Mia. These fawns are CUTE! CUTE! CUTE! Second frame looks like the “I love you” hand sign. Love all four frames, especially the last one that shows how tiny they really are compared to Mama. Interesting fact about popcorn alarm scent…new to me. 3rd and 4th frames both show one of the babies showing alarm signal. I didn’t realize they did that so early on, so young.
Ok, Patty, I’ll say it. Those babies are so CUTE!