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).
Portrait of a young muley buck...
at dusk this evening.
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus).
A handsome buck...
visits the watering hole early last evening, artfully captured by the infrared trail camera.
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus).
Leafy greens are important...
in your diet. I’m glad to see that Bugs Buddy is getting his vitamins, minerals and fiber during his foraging around the house.
Desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii).
Midnight at the oasis...
around the birdbath, caught by the ever-seeing trail camera. I’ve suspected as much since I have to refill the birdbath every morning with several gallons of water now that the irrigation system is turned off for the season.
Kit fox (Vulpes macrotis).
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus).
There’s also a heating element in the bath to keep it from freezing through the winter, so it’s a reliable water source for birds and other wildlife.
UPDATE 16 November 2023: They’ve become regular nocturnal visitors.
The first muleys...
are beginning to aggregate in small herds in Castle Valley for the winter, and here’s a juvenile bedding down in the luminous brush.
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus).
Sharing the afternoon warmth...
from the sun with a plateau fence lizard, scaling the side of my high desert home.
Plateau fence lizard (Sceloporus tristichus).
