Mule Deer Migration

Tags

autumn, bucks, deer herd, does, fawns, mammals, Migration, mule deer, ungulate

Mule Deer in Wyoming migrate to higher elevations in the spring and summer and head to lower elevations for the winter months secondary to snowpack levels and forage availability.  Biologists have recently discovered a portion of the mule deer herd in the Pinedale area is moving 150 miles each spring and fall, which is the longest distance taken by any of our larger mammals.  The deer tend to take a specific route, moving in larger groups during the autumn. I worked this migration for a number of mornings in a variety of locations.  Sitting in a blind, off of the main trail, and also using a remote camera, they were for the most part oblivious to my presence. I had to be incredibly quiet and at times not move at all until they decided the “camo lump” was harmless. The does were very alert and wary, ready to bolt at any suspected danger. The bucks were starting to enter their rut-minded world and would react only if the does spooked. While photographing the bucks coming through, I had to keep one eye on the lead doe and be very still if she suspected anything! This was not always easy, especially when several bucks were posturing their dominance to each other.

The deer face numerous obstacles on their migration route and I scouted out migration trails prior. I would then set up in areas in which numerous deer would filter through each morning.  I learned a lot about mule deer through all of this. Does and fawns would stick together, calling out to each other frequently, and if a fawn lost it’s mama, the bawling would begin.

On numerous occasions a fawn of the year would leave the herd and turn around crying loudly until it found it’s mother who was lagging behind the main group. This was always a bit distressing to me until I realized the two had been reunited.  One particular fawn crossed the river four times, crying very loudly in distress, until it finally headed in a southward direction.  In another moment a very, small fawn was lagging behind the group and it was touching to see the doe waiting for her little one to catch up; vocalizations between the two keeping them in touch.

 

The migration has slowed down considerably from the several hundred coming through each morning earlier in the month. I will still sit on the now snow packed ground and try to catch a few deer lagging behind. It has been a fun and exciting fall watching and photographing these large ungulates as they move through the area to their wintering grounds.

 

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The Passenger Pigeon

Tags

birds, Cincinnati Zoo, endangered, extinct, Greater Sage Grouse, nesting colonies, Passenger Pigeon

100 years ago today, the last Passenger Pigeon died in the Cincinnati Zoo. Her name was Martha and she never flew as a wild bird. A sad day indeed, as this species numbered in the billions in the mid-1800’s and was almost gone by 1890. Large flocks were reported to take days to fly over as they migrated in the spring from the southern US to the northern midwest states and beyond. They took over large tracts of forests for nesting colonies. It is a sight I would have loved to have seen. I imagine myself standing outside my home (with an umbrella) and watching in amazement at the sheer numbers of birds flying over. They were slaughtered by the millions as the recently-invented telegraph would send out word as to the location of the great flocks and nesting colonies. The carcasses were placed in barrels and shipped to the larger cities for fine dining and other uses.

Even with protection of the Migratory Bird Treaty or the Endangered Species Act, in today’s world, I believe the Passenger Pigeon would have a hard time surviving. We humans like our wildlife counted and orderly these days. There needs to be a “purpose” to these living beings. Do they provide food and nourishment, companionship, livelihood, recreation, or are they beautiful to look at? The Passenger Pigeon, I understand, was a beautiful bird, it could have fit in as a food source, and of course, it could have been very popular for recreational hunting. But it needed to live in large colonies covering miles of wooded areas for nesting, feeding, and roosting. Yes, we could have set aside large tracts of land as parks or refuges but this bird moved yearly to areas of plentiful acorns and beech nuts. This bird would not have tolerated being confined to specific areas. Would we allow this? Would we be grateful that we get to shovel our sidewalks of guano after we witnessed a million-bird flock passing over our house as it migrated to its northern nesting area? One would hope they would navigate around major cities but what if the flock decided to settle in on a foggy night in downtown Chicago. Amongst many other issues, imagine the traffic problems of a million crow-sized birds coming in for a landing, darkening the sky. I don’t think we are this tolerant, we would not have control of this bird that would always come along in large flocks.

As a photographer, I try to imagine what it would be like to photograph the incredible flocks along with individual birds of this species. I would have sat in a photo blind in the middle of a nesting colony, catching “the changing of the guard” as the males came in to relieve the females of the nesting duties and vice versa. I would photograph the squabs as they grew and then eventually drop to the ground where they moved en masse. What would a large, oak tree look like with pigeon nests covering all of the branches. What other wildlife would come through feeding off of this “endless” supply of food?

These are just a few of the thoughts I have. I would have loved to have seen and photographed these incredible flocks of birds and their annual life history. I consider the birds we now have and could lose. I would be devastated if I could not watch the lekking behavior of the Greater Sage Grouse each spring.

No photos available.

Old Faithful Geyser

Tags

cloudy, Old Faithful Geyser, Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone National Park

This past weekend was spent at an employee reunion in which we reminisced about days working in the Old Faithful area in the mid-80’s. We all admitted it was a life-changing experience as we laughed over stories, adventures, and friends we had met in the summers spent in our first national park. It was lots of fun with the highlight of the weekend being a trip to the top of the Old Faithful Inn.

I left the “big lens” home knowing photography was not priority for these several days but I did plan to photograph in the geyser basins. Upon arrival, I immediately noticed the colorful grasses in the area surrounding Old Faithful and made a note to myself to return first thing in the morning.  I did. The weather was cloudy but the colors were great and I had hopes for just a brief amount of sunshine with the erupting geyser. No luck, on either of the mornings I was there.  The clouds made for slow shutter speeds and blurry water spouts which were unique to the typical Old Faithful photo.

The geyser basin was quiet and calm at first light in August, but by the second eruption of Old Faithful the crowds were up and moving.  It was fun to see folks from around the world enjoy one of our national treasures! I myself have seen the geyser spout off on numerous occasions and each eruption is powerful and unique.  I again found myself wishing I had just one more day to catch this geyser in a little, different light!

“The Great Gray”

“The Great Gray” is a photograph I submitted this spring to a local contest here in Pinedale.  The Pinedale Fine Arts selected this image through their public art program: Ex|Site:Incubate/2D Photo program to be reproduced on aluminium to a size of 12′ high X 10′ wide.  It was installed recently on the back side of a cabin of the Rivera Lodge and it faces Pine Street (Hwy 191) for all that are passing through our community to see.  This image will be on display for 2 years and at that time another photo will be selected. I am honored to have my image on public display and thank all of those involved in making this happen.

Upcoming Photo Events!

Christmas is right around the corner!  Here is a list of Christmas Shows in which I will be participating.  Notecards and photographic prints, large and small, will be available for purchase.  I also welcome orders via email:eboehmphoto@gmail.com or telephone 307-367-7018.

November 1-2  Pinedale Holiday and Craft Show at Rendezvous Pointe, Pinedale, WY, Friday 5:00-8:00 PM and Saturday 10:00 AM-3:00 PM.

November 5   “Birds, Simple Moments of Beauty”, A photographic presentation on our local birds along with a short discussion on the Pinedale Annual Christmas Bird Count. This event will be in the Sublette County Library in Pinedale, WY starting at 6:30 PM.

November 23   Big Piney Christmas Bazaar at the Big Piney High School, Big Piney, WY 9:00 AM-2:00 PM.

December 7   Jackson Hole Christmas Bazaar at the Snow King Sports Event Center, Jackson, WY  9:00 AM-5 PM.

December 29  Pinedale’s Annual Christmas Bird Count.  Look for more information as we get closer to the date.

Yellowstone National Park

Tags

grizzly bear

I recently visited Yellowstone for a long weekend of photography with a good friend and awesome photographer.  Yes, we ended up getting closed out with the gov’t shut down. We only lost one day but… it still was one day of photography in our first and most amazing national park. Against other adversities such as rainy weather and wind we managed to witness and photograph some incredible wildlife behavior. We started the first day with a young grizzly bear along side the road between Norris and Mammoth.  The bear fed and wandered downstream, taking his time, doing what bears do.  At one point, we took a break from the “bear jam” and ate lunch while a steady rain came down.  The bear was taking a nap.  It was a short nap and the bear started to wander again.  She stopped right in front of us to scratch her back on a thermal area sign.  No cameras ready with short lenses!! Ugh!!! We finished our lunch and continued down the road to find the bear taking another nap on a warm thermal area, sprawled out like she owned the place; well, yes she did.  This bear was great and entertained these two photographers for hours that day.  We returned to Mammoth in late afternoon to find a large, bull elk keeping the crowds away from his harem in front of the hotel.  Not unusual at this time of year but exciting to watch.  Two employees were trying desperately to keep the unsuspecting tourists from getting injured by this grand bull who had no qualms with charging a “too close” visitor, a camera flash, or a vehicle.

Day two: We headed for Lamar Valley in hopes of finding badgers, bears, or just about anything to put in front of our lenses. There was not a lot going on and the weather continued to be stormy and windy.  We enjoyed lunch in a picnic area amongst Gray and Stellar Jays, Ruffed Grouse and an American Three-toed Woodpecker who decided it was OK for us to photograph his backside.   We left before we wanted, as the wind had picked up and the sound of crashing trees was all around us.  We headed back to Mammoth and detoured towards Norris in hopes of seeing our bear.  No bear but we found a beautiful red-tailed hawk trying to dry his feathers after the persistent rainstorm.

Day 3:  This was the first day of the gov’t shutdown and we were in the park (before the gaits were barricaded) bright and early for sunrise.  We ended up at Le Hardy Rapids and had several Harlequin Ducks come close and pose for the camera.  The park was steadily quieting down with diminishing traffic. What a treat, it was hard to believe!  There was only one glitch, nobody was to get out of their car, sightsee, or photograph. We headed north towards our exit, spending a little time at the Mammoth Terrace knowing that we would probably be locked out as soon as we left the park.  And so it was true, as a tourist on the boardwalk exclaimed “Can you believe it, they closed Yellowstone National Park!!?”

Greater Denver Audubon Photo Contest

The second of the three images, “Winter Witness, Great Gray Owl, Sublette County”, which made the top 250 in the Greater Denver Photo Contest “Share the View” is scheduled to be on the front page of their website on Friday, June 28, 2013.

http://denveraudubon.contestvenue.com

Greater Sage Grouse

Strutting Male Sage Grouse

This is the time of year for our Greater Sage Grouse.

Head gear of the Greater Sage Grouse

These chicken-sized grouse gather on small properties called leks scattered throughout their range.  A lek is a ceremonial “dancing ground” in which these birds gather each spring for their display rituals for mating. The males strut with their tails fanned like a turkey and then inflate their chest sac along with swishing their wings creating a visual and audible site rivaling no other. The top male gains the center of the lek position and a considerable amount of the mating goes to this bird.  The females come in just for the breeding and can seem very indifferent to the displaying of the males which is going on for their benefit.

Photographing this scene can take a commitment of very early mornings, walking into the lek site in the dark, and then awaiting sunrise under a canvas blind in the cold.  This time prior to sunrise I typically lay down under my blind and await the arrival of the birds just listening to the going-ons around me.  The sounds consist of the arrival of the grouse, sometimes in a flapping commotion quite near me and sometimes in a fighter jet soar.  The swishing and popping then starts.   Added to this, the background sounds are Sandhill Cranes calling, coyotes yipping, and Canada Geese squawking.  It is incredible!!

Coyote seeking out breakfast

Besides the cold thwarting you there can be a number of events that can scare the birds away such as a coyote clearing the scene or a Golden Eagle flying overhead, both looking for a meal.  But seeing this predator activity is also fun to witness and I have yet to see either catch a grouse although I know it can happen.  It is a fun and exciting time of year in which I keep a close watch on the AM weather to see if it will be a good day to get up early!

Greater Denver Audubon Photo Contest

I sent several images into the Greater Denver Audubon Photo Contest-Share the View last fall.  Three of the images made the top 250 photos and will show up on the front page of the contest’s website.  Here is the first of the three, “Life on the Edge”  (The Squirrel and the Owl) scheduled for Tues. March 26, 2013.

http://denveraudubon.contestvenue.com

Pinedale Christmas Bird Count-Dec. 30, 2012

Barrow’s (L) and Common(R) Goldeneyes

Once again it is time to think of our annual Christmas Bird Count.  This year the day will be Dec. 30 with a pot-luck chili dinner at the Sublette County Library to warm up and talk BIRDS!  I will be sending notices shortly to birders who have participated in the past.  Anyone is welcome to join us on this typically cold but fun day; and believe it or not, we actually see more than ravens and magpies!  Send me an e-mail at eboehmphoto@gmail.com for more information and to sign up for a route.

If you are not familiar with the CBC it is an annual, bird count that takes place nation-wide at Christmas time.  It is the largest, citizen-based, study in the nation and birders have been participating for 112 years.  Each count selects an area in which birders will venture forth to count as many birds as possible. Groups or individuals set out on a designated route to count every bird they see and can positively ID, this can be an all day affair, several hours, or birdwatching at your feeder if you are not up for venturing outside.   Serious and not-so serious birders are welcome.  Enthusiasm is a must and we can place you with a group if you are not comfortable at identifying all of your birds.