Animals in Trees - Part III

The Coatimundi is a curious little animal four and a half feet long and weighing between 10 and 25 pounds. The male is usually  twice the size of the female. The "White-nosed Coati" is found in desert mountain canyons near water, with the largest US populations in the southernmost mountains of Arizona. Coatis are carnivores eating insects, ants, grubs, etc. They often travel in groups of up to 25. They typically sleep in trees, but unlike their cousins (racoons and ringtail cats) they are diurnal which makes them easier to find and photograph. Here is a little guy that I found sound asleep in the tree in the Galiuro Mountains of Arizona:

Another tree dweller is the Common Porcupine. I must say that the name Common Porcupine seems a bit of a misnomer, since he is not often seen. Up to three feet long, the Porcupine can weigh as much as 35 pounds. Porcupines are herbivores eating leaves, twigs, and green plants. He is nocturnal which may explain why he is less seldom seen. Porcupines have a very wide range of habitat from sea level to 12,000 ft. They can be found throughout North America. This photo was taken near Dry Falls, Washington. It was early evening and he was eating the leaves from this tree:

Animals in Trees - Part II

Of course, it's not just bears that like trees. We have bobcats that frequently visit our five acres. I suspect it is the 50 or more rabbits that live here on our property. A couple years ago our good neighbor (Ursula) called me to say there was a bobcat sleeping in one of her mesquite trees. Two minutes later I was there with camera in hand. By this time he was awake -- but still resting:

                            

The tree gave him a good vantage point for spotting food. After a minute or so, he must have seen a rabbit, at which point he climbed down the tree. You notice he is no longer looking at me. He sees something else more interesting: 

So he is off on the hunt, completely focused:

He did take one look at me, but then went back to business, unafraid of what he saw. Unfortunately, he did not get the rabbit ---- this time. Life as a predator is not very easy.

Animals in Trees, And We're Not Talking Squirrels

Black Bears love trees. In the springtime they climb trees to eat the fresh buds like this bear in late May (That's Mount Robson, British Columbia in the background):

In the fall bears climb pine trees to eat the nuts, like this bear in late September:

They'll stay in trees for hours, until all the food is gone. It is fascinating to watch. As you might think, the tree sways as they climb. But, once the bear gets to the spot it wants, it "settles" in, distributing it's weight appropriately until the tree sways no more. Only then does the bear begin eating. Once everything within reach is eaten, he will move up the tree a bit and start all over.

But they will also climb trees -- sometimes -- when frightened, such as this bear I came across in British Columbia:

And, then sometimes black bears will climb trees just for fun, as with these black bear cubs:

Wild Babies - Part IV

And, lastly, babies nursing:

White Tail Deer with Fawn

Elk with Fawn

Bison with Calf

Bighorn Sheep with Lamb

Javelina with Piglet

Wild Babies - Part III

Next comes babies with their moms:

Black Bear with Cubs

Moose with Calf

Pronghorn with Fawn

Feral Burro with Colt (or filly)

Mountain Goat with Kid

Wild Babies - Part II

Wild babies are a delight to photograph. Sometimes they are curious; perhaps you are the first "human" they have ever seen. But often they seem content to frolic around playfully, without a worry in the world. And, as long as "mom" knows you are they and are NOT aggressive you are free to move about (albeit quietly and slowly) to enjoy and photograph. Here are a few more Babies in the Wild:

Bear Bear - cubs

Coatimundi

Bison - calf

Bighorn Sheep - lambs

Feral Burro - colt (or filly)

Wild Babies - Part I

It is a wonderful time in the wilderness. Animals have given birth to their young and are out and about showing them the world they live in. Here are some of my favorites:

Mountain Goat - kid

Pronghorn - colt

Mule Deer - fawn

White Tail Deer - fawn

Javelina - piglet