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).
A nicely camouflaged bullsnake...
hiding in the dry grass.
Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi).
Soaking up the remaining warmth...
of the asphalt surface of the bike trail, this smart reptile enjoys a few moments at sunset.
Common gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis).
Deer crossing ahead...
on the wildlife-rich Fish Lake Trail this morning.
Mule deer doe with two fawns (Odocoileus hemionus).
Trying to get a turtle to smile...
for the camera is an absolutely impossible task.
A grumpy painted turtle (Chrysemys picta).
Yielding to Bullwinkle J. Moose...
on the Fish Lake Trail this morning! Huge and magnificent beast!
Bull moose (Alces alces).
These snaphots were made with my smartyphone camera from about 35 yards/meters away.
A determined muskrat...
carrying breakfast back to the family burrow early this morning along Minnie Creek. Quite amusing to observe as it calmly paddled by on its mission.
Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus).
One overheated bunny...
trying to cool off on a hot, 97° F, afternoon. This little one has scratched a patch in the soil on the shaded side of the house.
Desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii).
Warming in the early sunshine...
this small, non-venomous bullsnake was extended across the trail this morning. It’s even smiling for this snapshot.
Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi).