A Young Male Pronghorn on Antelope Island

Seeing a male Pronghorn alone is not uncommon.  Outside of the breeding season, male pronghorns tend to be more solitary. They typically separate from groups of females and juveniles. 

Male pronghorns can face some risks when they are alone, especially when it comes to predators like coyotes, but they are capable of defending themselves.

Pronghorns are incredibly fast, capable of reaching speeds up to 55 miles per hour (88 km/h), making them one of the fastest land mammals in North America. 

 

I think this Pronghorn was about 3 to 5 years old, his horns were more developed and thick with two horns.

Generally, life is good.

Young Female Pronghorn That Didn't Follow the Script

Birds are usually predictable little drama queens, but Pronghorns? They are still a mystery wrapped in fur - something I'will probably be puzzling over for quite a while.

Meeting a young, beautiful female pronghorn was a delight - and also a bit of a plot twist.

 

Young Pronghorn paused just long enough for me to kneel down and attempt a "majestic" wildlife shot from a low angle, like some kind of nature documentary.

And then... chaos. Out of nowhere, she suddenly ran towards me. I froze, somewhere between "wildlife photographer" and "frighten garden gnome" completely unsure of what to do.

Luckily, the young female stopped short, apparently satisfied with the look of panic on my face. I exhaled, legs still wobbly, and made a mental note: pronghorns don't always follow the script.

Generally, life is good.

A Young Male Pronghorn on Antelope Island

My encounter with a young male Pronghorn began with disappointment.  He was far away on the top of the hill. The decision to drive around the hill in the hope of getting closer to the young animal turned out to be surprisingly successful. 

I think this Pronghorn was about 3 to 5 years old, his horns were more developed and thick with two horns.

 

Male pronghorns can face some risks when they are alone, especially when it comes to predators like coyotes, but they are capable of defending themselves.

Pronghorns are incredibly fast, capable of reaching speeds up to 55 miles per hour (88 km/h), making them one of the fastest land mammals in North America. 

A lone male pronghorn, just like a group, can usually outrun a coyote, which is why they are less likely to be caught in a direct chase.

Seeing a male Pronghorn alone is not uncommon.  Outside of the breeding season, male pronghorns tend to be more solitary. They typically separate from groups of females and juveniles. 

Males prefer solitude during times when they are not competing for mates or protecting a group.

Generally, life is good.

Pronghorns on the Antelope Island - II.

 

With the first rays of the sun, the island sparkled with all its colors and the young Pronghorns became amazingly beautiful.

I can’t even really convey how much there is in the look of this antelope. Curiosity? Without a doubt. And of course, concern. 

Generally, life is good.

Pronghorns on Antelope Island in Spring - I.

 

I came across a herd of young Pronghorns this morning and was glad to follow them for a while.

The first thing that caught my attention was a female Pronghorn with a red identification tag and a GPS collar around her neck.  

I noticed that the female's neck looked strange but I didn't know what to think.

As the female Pronghorn turned toward the male, some skin and fur were missing from the back of her neck.  

I am guessing that the female is shedding her winter coat. Otherwise she looked quite healthy to me.

The beautiful female Pronghorn # 22.

Generally, life is good.

Pronghorns on Antelope Island

I am not always successful photographing Pronghorn antelopes, as I would like, but if I manage to get a few more or less decent photos, I am very happy.

In the photo above a young Pronghorn is walking in the company of three males who are trying to keep it safe.

Pronghorns head into the mountains past a male pronghorn who is resting and watching the procession.   In a few seconds he will stand up and join the others.

As you noticed, there is no snow and this is a bit unusual for the end of December.

Today is 45°F (7°C). 

Generally, life is good.

They Will Soon Become Parents - I.

This morning I had a fantastic opportunity to observe and photograph a pair of Pronghorn Antelopes on Antelope Island.  

The young doe was pregnant.  Sometime in late May or early June, she will give birth to a calf after 250 days of gestation.

Today was a warm and sunny day. In early spring, everything is surprisingly fresh, flowers delight with their delicate beauty and their smell intoxicates you.

Why not dive into the flowers and relax for a while?  

That is exactly what the buck did but the doe was hesitant at the beginning but it didn't last long.

Life goes on.

Today on Antelope Island

Today the Antelope Island was gray and rainy. The rain was pounding on my windshield and didn't promise to end anytime soon.

At some point, I saw a lonely antelope and thought why it was not with the herd. If a coyote would be nearby, danger would be imminent.

I really wanted the background to be darker that raindrops would be visible, but everything was featureless merging into boring tones. 

However, when I look at the photo above, I see small raindrops and wonder if anyone will see them also?

Life goes on.

Pronghorns in December - III. Finale

For a long time I thought that Pronghorns are safe on Antelope island but I was wrong. Pronghorns and Mule deer can be attacked by coyotes that can be hell for a single Pronghorn or Mule Deer, the coyotes  also on outlook for young fawns, especially during a fawn's first six weeks of life.

Well, Pronghorns found the way to stay safe; they usually move across the island in herds keeping themself and their young ones safe.

I have never seen before a pack of Pronghorns and was happy to follow it for a while and take as many photos as my memory card could hold.  

When the time came I started culling some of my photos and for the first time I couldn't decide what photos I would keep and what I would ditch.  Here are a few more photos of these incredible animals.

Generally, life is good!

Pronghorns in December - II.

That was an unforgettable late afternoon on Antelope Island.  Seeing and photographing a herd of Pronghorns was a truly fantastic treat.  It was a pure luck that Pronghorns allowed me to follow them and be in the close proximity.  I am so grateful for that!

 

On the photo above is Pronghorn male (buck) with female.  

Male (buck) Pronghorn.

The pregnant female Pronghorn.
 

I met a few times # 10 female Pronghorn.  Here she had stopped for a short while.  I assume she is pregnant.

 

What a year it has been. While there has been darkness there also was light. 

I hope that a year ahead will be brighter and bring some normalcy into our life.

Generally, life is good!  Merry Christmas!