Young Male Mule Deer with His Harem

 

A young buck with his harem appeared out of blue, quickly crossed the road and before they were going to disappear into the desert they stopped and looked at me with curiosity. Just a few seconds decided the fate of this family portrait.

Generally, life is good.

Female Mule Deer and Her Fawns - III.

In a deserted salty field near the Bear MBR I came across a group of five Mule deer in the early June. As I got closer, I realized it was a doe and her four fawns.

I only had half an hour before the sun would disappear below the horizon to take a few photos of this family. Fortunately, the mother and her babies didn't go anywhere; they needed food for the night.

Generally, life is good.

Female Mule Deer and Her Fawns - II.

The fawns were always close to their mother, one might say, never leaving her side and under her watchful eye.

Generally, life is good.

A Few Female Mule Deer

Antelope Island reveals itself differently each time.  The island may surprise or disappoint you.  I noticed that something interesting was waiting for me when I least expected it.

This morning the Antelope Island was kind. Early in my adventure I encountered a small group of female Mule deer.

Mating season for mule deer continues through the end of February. Some of the does I saw this morning were already pregnant.  It's difficult to say whether they will have one faun or twins.

If this is the first pregnancy of a doe, then one fawn will be born, and in the next pregnancy there will be twins.

Generally, life is good.

Female Mule Deer with a Fawn

At the end of my trip to Bear River MBR, when I was ready to pack my gear, I saw a female mule deer with her fawn.  

Usually, female mule deer gives birth to two fawns, although if it is her first time having a baby, she will often have only fawn. 

 

Life goes on.