The Last of the Pronghorn

One last "5" Star Pronghorn Photo again from the National Bison Range in Western Montana. This time the snow stopped falling just long enough to capture a small herd of males. It's always a special treat to be able to get this close to Pronghorn.

Pronghorn

Pronghorn: Is it a Photo or is it a Painting?

National Bison Range. Teddy Roosevelt set aside some of the first Wildlife Areas by Executive Order starting in 1903.  In 1908 he got Congress to agree to a National Wildlife Refuge System. The National Bison Range in Western Montana was established with the first Congressional appropriations. 

In addition to herds of Bison, the Range supports populations of Elk, Mule Deer, White-tailed Deer, Pronghorn, and Bighorn Sheep as well as Coyotes, Mountain Lions, Bears, and Bobcats. The Refuge has recorded 211 bird species.

This is one of my favorite Refuges. I have been there at different times of the year: winter, summer, spring, and fall. And, much like Yellowstone, it never disappoints. 

On one winter trip I found a small band of Pronghorn. The snow and snowfall created a unique photo setting. 

This "5" Star Pronghorn Photo doesn't even look like a photo. It looks more like a painting. The snow was falling heavy enough to create what many have said to be reminiscent of  "Japanese Art." 

You can almost see the brush strokes of the grasses as if painted on a silk canvas. This photo of the four female Pronghorn hangs in my office with a bamboo color mat and brown and gold frame. Just lovely.

Pronghorn

Pronghorn Walking Through Thistles

Continuing with my series of "5" Star Photos in general and Pronghorn in particular we come to an early favorite. I was exploring the National Bison Range National Wildlife Refuge for the first time; summer of 1997. I came across this small band of Pronghorn, mostly females and youngsters walking through the thistles. It's one of those photos that I thought would be good  -- but turned out even better.

Pronghorn

White Tail Deer from Montana

One nice thing about National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, or Nature Conservancy Land, usually there is no hunting. The result is that you see more male deer, elk, moose, etc. And, that those males have reached an age where their antlers are quite large. Such is the case with these three (yes there are three) male white tail deer in the National Bison Range National Wildlife Refuge in Montana.  It is interesting because you can't see anything except the antlers of the third deer. But, the grasses make a nice photo, and although somewhat cautious the deer were receptive to my photographing them.

Japanese Pronghorn Art

So, from the Impressionist Painting yesterday to Japanese Art today. You can almost see the brush strokes of the grasses as they are painted on the silk canvas. Alas, it is a photo, taken in Western Montana at the National Bison Range, probably 15 years ago or so. It was snowing so everything was like a fairy tale. Photographing in the snow can provide some wonderful effects. This photo of the four female pronghorn hangs in my office with a bamboo color mat and brown and gold frame.

Montana Bighorn Sheep

The National Bison Range in Western Montana is a favorite place to visit for me. It is another of Teddy Roosevelt's National Wildlife Refuges established in 1908 with the first Congressional allocation of funds . So, it is one of the oldest NWR in the US.  It's main attraction is about 500 Bison (which I have shown you before). It also is a fairly reliable place to find large White Tail, Mule Deer, Elk, and Bighorn Sheep. And, while there is a fair Mountain Goat and Black Bear population I have not been lucky in that regard. Not that I haven't spend many an hour looking for them. But, that is the "nature" of wildlife photography. One summer I was hiking up over this mountain looking for Mountain Goats, and came across this lazy Bighorn Ram. He didn't seem much bothered by me. And, I soon forgot that I was looking for goats, and sat in the grass about 20 yards away as content as he was. Those are the days that renew the spirit -- clean the cobwebs, forget the troubles, and bring joy and peace into your life. A few precious minutes and a lifetime of memories.

From Eeyore to Ferdinand

Sticking with the wintery theme for another day. The National Bison Range was established in 1908  as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It is 25,000 acres in the Moiese Mountains of Western Montana. There is but one road through the refuge, Red Sleep Mountain Drive. It is closed in the winter and at other times when poor weather warrants. I was there one winter searching for any of 500 or so bison present on the refuge and not having much luck. Discouraged, but persistent I finally came up and over a bend, and there he was in all magnificence standing about 75 yards away. One lonely bull. No other bison in sight. Although, most bison seem to be more like Ferdinand, I still approach as I would any wild and dangerous animal. That means very slowly, and diagonally, until I get the angle I want. Every once in a while we would look at each other, and eventually, snap, I had my photo.