And a photo to set the scene.
Three days ago on Antelope Island I drove up a winding hill and lo and behold, there was a herd of 14 pronghorn does lounging on the hillside right in front of me (here we only see about half of them, on the left). Some were grazing and browsing and others were laying down in the vegetation. I took a few photos with my big lens but many of them were festooned with orange tags and others had their heads down so mostly I just watched, enjoying the spectacle in the still of the early morning.
It wasn’t until I pulled forward a few feet that I noticed the lone buck, on the right in this photo, laying down on the hill above the does and intently guarding his harem. In the 10 minutes or so I was there he barely took his eyes off of them. He was a handsome devil, he was close and in beautiful morning light so I was intent on taking a few portraits of him.
I’m including this photo, taken with a standard lens at 35mm, to set the scene. It gives the illusion at least, that there’s a fair amount of water in the Great Salt Lake.
This is what I was after, head shots of the buck, but they were harder to get than you might think. He was so incredibly focused on watching and guarding his harem he wouldn’t turn his head in my direction to give me a good look at his face and a catch light in his eye. Finally he glanced my way and I fired short burst of shots before he looked away again. This is one of them.
I don’t take portraits very often but I’m delighted with how this one turned out. He’s a handsome dude and I like his look of confidence suggesting that he knows it. And as my friend Jim DeWitt said about him, he also looks satiated and just a little bit smug.
Ron
👍👏👍
Sharp photo of a six-pointer (gotta count those ears).
I just read in Sibley’s “What It’s Like To Be A Bird” that
about a million Eared Grebes fly to Mono and Salt Lake in the fall. Are you able to see them then?
Yes, we see hordes and hordes of them during migration. Most of them are far out on the lake but when they’re here it looks like there’s almost an endless number of them out there.
Many of the does looked pregnant and about ready to birth when I was there a few days ago, we should see fawns soon.
Some of them looked pregnant to me but I couldn’t tell with those who were laying down.
Ron,
No kidding on the illusion of having plenty of water in the GSL. As we were flying into the valley a few weeks ago my wife and I were amazed at the shrinking lake. I would not be aware of this if I weren’t out taking pics of birds that depend on the water around Utah. And I probably wouldn’t have noticed (or be able to explain to others) it without your blog.
Oh, … and nice portrait.
Stephen
Stephen, it’s absolutely scary to be up on the east bench in Davis County and look out toward where the lake used to be.
WHAT a magnificent beast!!!
Agreed, EC.
He does look pretty satisfied with himself, doesn’t he. 😍 Wishing them all a successful breeding season on this Mothers’ Day. 💕
Marty, I’ve yet to see pronghorn fawns this spring.
Wonderful portrait! He’s singing to himself “I’m too sexy for ….” LOL 🙂
And Happy Mother’s Day to Shannon’s mom!
Kathleen, Shannon’s mom occasionally sees my blog posts so maybe she’ll see your comment.
I wouldn’t be surprised, Kathleen…
That closeup is outstanding Ron. In the panoramic shot you could easily miss seeing them if you did not look closely. For years here I used to hike right by them, but so many homes have been built where they used to room that they have moved farther out. Also Fish & Game have relocated hundreds of them to other areas in the state.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the Feathered Photography Moms
Everett, development and ‘progress’ have ruined a lot of our pronghorn habitat too. Until they start building McDonald’s and strip malls on Antelope Island (which may not be long the way things are going) the pronghorn on the island should be safe from that threat.
You and Jim said it right ! I bet those does ( 20 ! ) came willingly, and those
babies will be beautiful and well looked after……
Kris, I looked for fawns and didn’t see any. But when they’re very young they spend most of their time laying down and hidden in the vegetation.
VERY handsome fellow! 🙂 A protrait well worth capturing….. Does look like there’s LOTS of water when I know better… As long as they’re relaxed and NOT near the highway it’s great – their inclination to move and turn on a dime as a group can be unnerving and problematic.. 😉
“their inclination to move and turn on a dime as a group can be unnerving and problematic”
Agreed, Judy. Especially when you’re driving at a pretty good clip.
That is a fine looking animal.
I think so too, Michael.
Handsome and a beautiful scene!
Thanks, Dick.