is one among more than 50 in a small herd that regularly aggregates behind the house around dusk. They’ll be moving up the valley now that spring has arrived.
Mule deer buck (Odocoileus hemionus). Click image to embiggen.
Look who's going for a ride...
in the live trap, down to the river for release, as the springtime varmint wars commence around the house. This is number two.
Rock squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus).
This junior muley...
enjoys a diverse diet during this dry winter, caught here through the front window at dusk.
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) browsing on sagebrush.
Smoking a honey locust seed pod.
First in line at the watering hole...
this evening is this handsome mule deer buck.
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus).
An end-of-year sighting...
of Bugs Buddy this morning confirms this long-lived wild rabbit is still in residence and is always a welcome visitor at the feeding stations.
Desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii).
My personal best was achieved today...
where the Arreaux model rocket soared to an apogee of 2,402 feet (732 meters) on a “G” engine at a remote launch site on the state line. I’m aiming higher.
Also, these launches push me over the century mark, now having sent more than 100 model rockets skyward this year. Huge fun.
The Book Cliffs serve as a backdrop as the Arreaux zooms off the pad.
The Nike Smoke Pro under chute after achieving an apogee of 695 feet (212 meters).
Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) wondering what all the commotion was about out on the range this morning.
A regular evening ritual...
is developing where a small herd of muleys pays a visit to the birdbath. First come, first served.
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus).
A soggy rabbit on a soggy day...
but still enjoying munching on succulent cheatgrass.
Desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii).
Setting out a hazard cone...
as an assist to a slowly moving turtle crossing the Fish Lake Trail this morning. Always happy to help my reptilian friends.
Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) galloping across the trail.
Hanging out in the high country...
with a buddy from graduate school at a guest ranch near Creede, Colorado. Here are several of the local residents.
Our remote cabin for the week at about 9,200 feet (2,800 meters) in elevation.
Greater Scaup (Aythya marila).
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor).
Golden-mantled ground squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis).
Why did the snake...
cross the trail? Why to get to the other side, of course. But this one wasn’t moving at all in the cool of the early morning, found fully stretched across the trail, basking in the warmth of the Sun. I brake for reptiles.
Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi).
This observant squirrel...
has so far avoided the live trap, and here it is spying on me from a high limb. This is number four.
Rock squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus).
The rodent relocation project has commenced...
for the season in an effort to stop the destructive digging of these otherwise amusing critters before it gets out of control. This is number two.
Rock squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus).
Ears like periscopes...
extend above the cheatgrass as Bugs Buddy nibbles away on leafy greens.
Desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii).
Catching a noontime nap...
in a secluded and shaded spot beneath rabbitbrush, Bugs Buddy catches up on some Z’s.
Desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii).
A peeping muley...
at the kitchen window last evening with its nose nearly pressed up against the glass. There’s still a small herd hanging out in the valley and several still frequent my bird feeders and bird bath around dusk.
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus).
Frequent guzzlers of water...
from the birdbath at dusk. It seems to be a well known watering hole that is visited nightly, and there are more than 30 muleys grazing out back as this is posted. They’ll be moving up the valley soon as spring approaches.
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus).
Fight over water rights...
at the bird bath this evening.
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus).
The victor.
Multi-species use of the singletrack...
below Castleton Tower. Coexist.
Thirsty early muleys...
drink down all the water in the birdbath shortly after dusk, leaving none for the late arrivals after midnight.
Disappointed mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus).