Wildlife of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast - Part VIII

The Mule deer have been coming around more the past couple of months. They make a long stop at our water bowls to get a drink.

A couple of weeks ago there were five that came around, usually it's just one.

Here are some photos:

Mule Deer Visits The Azure Gate

We have lived in other places where deer occasionally visit our backyard. But this was the first time we have seen a Mule Deer in our backyard here in Tucson.

I was sitting at my desk when I looked out the front window and saw an adult female Mule Deer standing in the middle of our driveway. I quickly took a couple of photos through the window. Then she began wandering around our property giving me photo op at every turn.

Here are a few of those photos:

Winter Wildlife Photos: Mule Deer

Continuing my series on Winter Wildlife we come to Mule Deer.

In the first photo I was traveling in Southeast Oregon heading to Hart Mountain where Pronghorn gather for the winter. There was a wide open field ahead of me on the right with ten Mule Deer feeding on the grasses. Since they were unprotected I figured that they would cross the road, hop the fence, and head up the mountain side. I slowly turned my Jeep so that I could get a good look at the fence ahead from the driver's side window. Sure enough, they obliged, ran across the road, and hopped the fence:

This photo was also taken as I travelled through Southeast Oregon on that same trip:

New Year's Babies: Mule Deer

Continuing with our series on Wildlife Babies, we come to Mule Deer:

Coconino Mountains, Northern Arizona

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Ruby Road - Arivaca

Ruby Road along the US/Mexico border is true wilderness; beautiful 360 degree views without a single sign of human civilization in sight; certainly well worth the drive. The road ends -- or I guess could begin in the little town of Arivaca. Christine and I hiked and birded Pena Blanca Lake last week then taking Ruby Road to Arivaca to bird the Arivaca Cienega (part of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge). 

Just before entering Arivaca we came across a male and female Mule Deer. The male ran across the road and hopped the fence while the female stayed behind. After hopping the fence the male turned around to wait for his partner. I backed up a bit, got out my camera and took a photo of the Buck. Soon the Doe ran across the road and hopped the fence.

Here are a couple of the photos:

Mule Deer Buck

Mule Deer Doe

San Rafael Valley, Arizona

My apologies for the delay. I have been out photographing several birding spots in Southern Arizona the past several days: San Rafael Valley, Madera Canyon, Ironwood National Monument, Santa Cruz Flats, and Sweetwater Wetlands.

Here are some of my finds in San Rafael Valley:

Harrier Hawk

Western Meadowlark

Mule Deer

Raven

Tomorrow: Madera Canyon Surprise

Mule Deer at Mahleur

Sometimes a more common animal gives you an uncommon photo. Here I was in Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Central Oregon when I came across this Mule Deer with a bird sitting on its back:

Mule Deer

Mule Deer Buck in Snow

On the same trip -- and not too far -- from yesterday's Fence Jumping Mule Deer in south central Oregon, I photographed this Mule Deer Buck. It's a wonderful "Christmas Card" photo. And, "5" Stars.

Mule Deer Buck

Fence Jumping Mule Deer

One winter on my way to Hart Mountain (to see wintering Pronghorn) I came across a herd of Mule Deer grazing along the right side of the road.

Further to the right was a very large open field. On the left side of the road there was a fence. On the other side of the fence was safety:  brush, trees, and mountain.

Although the Deer could have run in either direction, I was sure they would cross the road, jump the fence, and run to cover. I rolled down my window, grabbed my camera, and started driving slowly toward the Deer. As they started to move I turned the Jeep to the right to get a better view. As I thought, the Deer crossed the road and hopped over the fence -- and I was camera ready.

Wildlife "action photos" are a little more challenging than sports photos -- not that sports photos are easy either. With wildlife -- as with sports -- the action often comes without warning and is quickly over. However, with wildlife, you often don't get a chance to position yourself for the best angle and frequently the action is away from you. I have countless photos of animal's "backsides." There only value being a reminder of what I saw. 

Mule Deer

Mule Deer Buck in Wildflowers

"Now, a few words on looking for things. When you go looking for something specific, your chances of finding it are very bad. Because of all the things in the world, you're only looking for one of them. When you go looking for anything at all, your chances of finding it are very good. Because of all the things in the world, you're sure to find some of them."

Daryl Zero, The Zero Effect

On one trip to Yellowstone National Park specifically to look for Wolves -- and not having any luck -- I came across some Mule Deer eating among the wildflowers. It was a lovely experience which netted a "5" Star Photo.

As a Wildlife Photographer, sometimes looking for "anything at all" works, because surely you will find something.

Mule Deer in Wildflowers

Ernst Lake, British Colubia

Another favorite fishing spot in British Columbia was Ernst Lake. A bit of a challenge to get to, but it meant I could camp there for a week and never see another person. Ernst was another of BC's "Trophy Lakes," with Kamloops Trout ranging from a minimum of 3 pounds up to 8 -- all jumpers. Several times I saw a Mule Deer lying down in what must have been a favorite spot for him. And, then there were the Osprey, that would dive into the lake and come away with one of those 3 pounders. The Osprey would be always circle the lake after their catch to show off.  Here are those photos:

Young Mule Deer Buck

Osprey with Kamloops Trout

In Search of Pronghorn

I also made another trip down to Buenos Aires NWR in search of Pronghorn, but not to be found. Even so, there is much pleasure in simply being in the wilderness, where nature is undisturbed by man; quiet, peaceful, beautiful. And, as usual even if I don't find exactly what I am looking for, there is something worth a photo. In this case, several Red Tail Hawks and a Mule Deer. Neither are rare, of course. And deer seem to be everywhere now. But, I loved the setting, color, and detail of the Mule Deer. And, the Red Tails seemed to be a little more approachable. So:

Red Tail Hawk

Red Tail Hawks

Mule Deer

National Wildlife Refuges

National Bison Range, Montana, 1908

While Teddy Roosevelt set aside some of the first Wildlife Areas by Executive Order starting in 1903, by 1908 he finally got Congress to agree to a Nationwide allocation and management program . And, the National Bison Range was established with the first Congressional appropriations ever made for the purchase of lands for a national wildlife refuge. The original herd of bison, released in 1909, was purchased with private money from the American Bison Society; the herd was then donated to the Range. The National Bison Range helped bring the bison back from the edge of extinction. Today, 350 to 500 bison call the Range home.

Much of the Range was once surrounded by prehistoric Lake Missoula, which was formed by a glacial dam 10,000 years ago. The old beach lines of Lake Missoula are still visible on north-facing slopes. Today, the National Bison Range has a diversity of habitats, including grasslands, Douglas fir and ponderosa pine forests, riparian areas, and ponds. The National Bison Range is one of the last intact publicly-owned palouse prairie grasslands in the United States.

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. As you will see from the photos, I have been there at different times of the year: winter, summer, spring, and fall. Much like Yellowstone, it never disappoints. Although, I always go there looking for mammals, occasionally I find a bird or two worth a photo.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep - Ram

American Bison: I had been looking all the previous afternoon and following morning for  Bison. Then to my surprise came across this lone Bull standing in the snow.

Elk getting a drink from a small pond.

Mule Deer: still velvet on their antlers, late Summer.

Pronghorn in Thistles

Pronghorn in Snow

White Tailed Deer: When Whitetails are calm their tails are down. When they are cautious, there tails are horizontal. When they are nervous, their tails are up. Here are three Whitetails showing all three positions. (Photo from 1992)

Blue Grouse: a pleasant surprise.

Lazuli Bunting

National Wildlife Refuges

Mahleur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon, 1908

One of the crown jewels of the National Wildlife Refuge System, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge protects 187,000 acres of wetlands in southeastern Oregon's high desert. It is adjacent to the Steens Mountain Wilderness, with the Wild and Scenic Donner and Blitzen River flowing into the refuge at its southern boundary.

The refuge is famous for its tremendous diversity and spectacular concentrations of wildlife. Boasting over 320 bird species and 58 mammal species, Malheur is a mecca for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Spring is the most spectacular season at Malheur. More than 130 species of birds nest on the refuge, while other waterfowl using the Pacific Flyway stop at the refuge to refuel for their journey northward. In February, northern pintail and tundra swan begin to arrive, followed by large flocks of lesser and greater sandhill crane, and flocks of snow goose and Ross' goose.

It's another Refuge that I went to several times during the 90's. So, I have photos from several different seasons. Here is a variety of them:

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Hooded Merganser

Mule Deer Buck with Doe

Mule Deer Door with a "nosy"  LBB

Northern Pintail

Northern Shoveler (male and female)

Red Tailed Hawk

Ring Necked Pheasant

Rough Legged Hawk

Wood Duck in winter