Pronghorn

Pronghorn Rut, Yellowstone National Park

Photo of a pronghorn buck during the rut.
Pronghorn Buck Defends His Harem

I’m in Yellowstone.  I came for the rut.  It’s been quite warm and that may have slowed things down a bit.

This buck was busy defending his harem.  I observed him for about an hour before sunset and he was kept busy by four other bucks.  He chased them all away without a fight.   It’s a bit like swatting flies though.

Photo of a pronghorn buck during the rut.
The Rut Is On.

This buck was on a course which would bring him through the harem.  He watched from a few hundred yards away and finally skirted around the above buck and his harem.  I’m not sure why he didn’t act like the other bucks.  Maybe he’d say he’s a lover, not a fighter.  But that doesn’t work.  In the pronghorn world, the only lovers are the fighters.

Osprey

Osprey, Tomales Bay, California

Photo of an osprey perched on a dock.
Osprey Perched on Dock

I was backing up some images recently and realized I had forgotten that I photographed this osprey last month.  I like the background in this photo which is comprised of the hills on the east side of Tomales Bay.    The bird is perched on the top of an ornate gate to a dock along the shoreline in the town of Inverness on the way into Point Reyes National Seashore.

Tule Elk

Bull Tule Elk During the Rut

Photo of bull tule elk.
Bull Tule Elk, Point Reyes National Seashore

The rut is in full swing at Point Reyes.   This bull had a harem of six or seven cows and a few yearlings and calves near Pierce Point Ranch.  He got into one big fight with another bull of about equal size.  He prevailed, but these bull elk sure work hard to pass on their genes.  I saw a bull limping due to some problem with his left foreleg or shoulder.  It reminded me of a limping bull on the D Ranch near Drake’s Beach.  He also had something wrong with his left leg or shoulder.