Showing posts with label Pronghorn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pronghorn. Show all posts

Friday, September 21, 2012

Pronghorn

This blog will discuss the Pronghorn.  Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)Most people call this animal, a pronghorn antelope or simply antelope.  The reason for this, is that it closely resembles the antelopes of the old world, although they are not in any way related to the African antelopes.  They are the only surviving members of the family Antilocapridae.
What sets them apart from other hoofed animals are their antlers.  Pronghorn have branched, hollow, hair-like horns that are shed annually, as opposed from deer and elk, whose branched, solid antlers which are shed every year, and from goats and cattle's whose hollow horns which are also made from hair, but are not shed.
They are the fastest mammal in North America and the second fastest animal in the world, next to the cheetah.  They can run at between 50 and 60 mph and can keep it up for a long period of time.  This helps them escape from predators.
From spring until winter, bucks will amass a harem of 2-15 does.  The herds will come together for the winter.  The Bucks will defend their territory all summer, chasing other males away from their harems.
The following sequence of photographs show a a buck running after another intruding buck.  The defendin buck observed the intruding buck from a long distance away   As the buck sped toward the intruder,it scaredto bisonwho or resting.
Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)
Pronghorns have exceptional vision, and they can pick up movement is far away is 3 miles.  This is because their eyes are located far back on the head.  They can keep watch, even when they are feeding.
 _D8C4795 September 14, 2012 NIKON D800 _D8C4846 September 14, 2012 NIKON D800Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)

Sunday, February 26, 2012

More Utah Critters

This will be my last blog about my Utah trip.  Again, I wish to thank Natures Photo Adventures and Rob Palmer for a most enjoyable workshop.  I am planning again to return next year and to stay a little longer to travel to some of the locations in the area that I know about to photograph not only the scenes, but also the wildlife.
In this blog will be just photographs of some of the other animals and birds that I saw on this trip
American Bison:
Here the bison is being visited by European starlings
Starlings on the Bison's Back



- Bison in Snow_ROT9471 February 19, 2012 NIKON D3S
Bison in the Snow
Pronghorn:
Although these animals are known as pronghorn antelope, they are not related tothe true antelopes of the old world.

- _ROT7997-Edit February 18, 2012 NIKON D3S- Pronghorn_ROT8004 February 18, 2012 NIKON D3S- pRONGHORN_ROT8021 February 18, 2012 NIKON D3S The Pronghorn starting running toward our car and we thought it was attacking us, but was chasing another Pronghorn that was on the other side of the road.

There are also Mule Deer present in the area, I did observe one but was unable to take a photograph because a  truck came up the road and scared it.

Since the weather was warm, a number of the birds thought it was Spring, and were starting to sing. Among these, were the Western Meadowlark and the Red-winged Blackbird.

- Western Meadowlark Singing_ROT7804 February 18, 2012 NIKON D3S- _ROT7775 February 18, 2012 NIKON D3S- _ROT8243-Edit February 19, 2012 NIKON D3S

Horned Larks were also. If you look at the picture, you can see why they are called Horned Larks
- Horned Lark_ROT8483 February 19, 2012 NIKON D3S

Here are some of the other bird that were present in the area

- _D7K3873-Edit-Edit-Edit February 26, 2012 NIKON D7000
California Gull
- _ROT7524 February 18, 2012 NIKON D3S
Ring-necked Pheasant
Black-billed Magpie
Black-billed Magpie
Ring-billed Gull
Ring-billed Gull Catching a Fish


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Friday, February 24, 2012

Antelope Island State Park

- _ROT9380-Edit-Edit February 19, 2012 NIKON D3S
Pronghorn on the Ridge
- _ROT9452-Edit February 19, 2012 NIKON D3S
American Bison
Antelope Island State Park is located in the Great Salt Lake and is the largest island in the lake.  Located on the island are free-roaming herds of bison, bighorn sheep, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope.  The bison were introduced to the island in 1893 and became the foundation for the present day herd of between 500 to 700 animals.  Depending on the month and season that you visit, you're viewing opportunities for wildlife will vary.
Antelope Island is reached by driving over a Causeway from Syracuse, Utah.  We found that the Causeway was an excellent location to view and photograph raptors.  In order to photograph the raptors, you have to photograph them from your car, by pulling over to the side of the road, and utilizing a support on the window for your camera and lens.  People use beanbags, I utilize a Puffin Pad for support for my equipment.
- _D7K3903-Edit February 18, 2012 NIKON D7000
Looking Across the Great Salt Lake at the Mountains from Antelope Island
With Bison in the Meadow
History of the island showed that prehistoric people were living on the island more than 6000 years ago.  John C Fremont and Kit Carson is that explored the antelope Island in 1845, and they named it.  Antelope Island, after observing pronghorn antelope's grazing.  Fielding, Garr established a ranch on the island in 1848 and the ranch house is still standing on its existing foundation.,
- Antelope Island_D7K3920 February 18, 2012 NIKON D7000
Island Scenic
- _D7K3910-Edit February 18, 2012 NIKON D7000
Island Scenic
- _D7K3933-Edit February 18, 2012 NIKON D7000
Island Scenic
- Antelope Island_D7K3914 February 18, 2012 NIKON D7000
Island Scenic
The rock formations on the island are beautiful to behold. It's some of the rocks are covered with the Moss and lichen and will definitely be part of my next trip to photograph them in either early morning or late afternoon light.
The last afternoon that we were on the island it started to snow and the pictures below show the storm over the island from the causeway
- Scenic Antelope Island_ROT9463_HDR February 19, 2012 NIKON D3S
Storm over Antelope Island

- Storm over Antelope Island_ROT9590_HDR February 19, 2012 NIKON D3S
Another view of the Storm

- Snow storm on Antelope Island_ROT9458 February 19, 2012 NIKON D3S
Another view of the Storm

- Storm Atelope B&W_ROT9584_HDR-Edit February 19, 2012 NIKON D3S
Another view of the Storm in B&W
 So if you visit the Great Salt Lake Region, Antelope Island is a worthy destination and an excellent place to spend at least one or 2 days exploring.  There is a $9 daily fee that is collected at the beginning of the Causeway
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