Finally a Pronghorn up close

[terrib]

I have often found Pronghorn to be skittish and I've had difficulty getting close enough for any decent shots. On Wednesday I arrived at the Spinney Mountain State Park at sunrise and happened upon this buck grazing near the lake. I tried several shots but he was still a good distance from me and with the low light the shots still were not that great. I was working my way closer when a couple of fisherman drove by me and spooked him. So I parked, walked on down to the lake for a bit and was circling back to my car when I came over the hill and realized the pronghorn was still in the area. I was amazed when he allowed me to walk parallel to him, angling in ever so slightly to get closer. We walked together for about 10 minutes until he decided to take a rest.

He was obviously aware of my presence, looking toward me and I would stop until he resumed grazing. It was interesting to me that his ears were back most of that time which in many animals indicates agitation. But the rest of his body language and behavior was indifferent. I went back and reviewed all my photos and even the ones where he was a distance from me and I was still in my car, his ears were back, and looking at older shots of these animals they seem to hold their ears back a lot. So I wonder if it is their way of listening to what's behind them.

All shot between 500-600mm (handheld), the head shot with a fair bit of crop but the others cropped slightly for composition.

[ccphoto]

Was mapping out the second part of my trip and while the Great Sand Dunes Park was a part of it, this area is only another 100 miles up the way. It certainly looks promising. Thanks for the view.

[Urbanflyer]

Your head shot of the Pronghorn is superb! What a great interaction to have with another regal animal!

[terrib]

Was mapping out the second part of my trip and while the Great Sand Dunes Park was a part of it, this area is only another 100 miles up the way. It certainly looks promising. Thanks for the view.

Yes, if you are heading down through Breckenridge toward Buena Vista, this isn't far off the path at all. There are 2 state parks there - Spinney Mountain SP and Eleven Mile. There is a flat no frills campground just outside the Spinney gates but lots of camping at Eleven Mile. I like to photograph in Spinney better because there are less people - mostly fisherman. The road between Spinney and Hartsel (Rd 59) is also good for pronghorn, hawks and other birds with several side roads that give you access to the river. Of course, when you are there will determine what birds are in the area but right now I'm seeing pelican, Ibis, Avocet, mountain bluebirds, and Mergansers. I spotted a long-tailed weasel the other day and am determined to find him again! This is only about a half hour from where I live so if you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

[Mike Buckley]

Every image has something none of the other images have, making it an absolutely wonderful set. Exceptionally well done!

[JohnRostron]

An excellent series of an enigmatic animal.

John

[bnnrcn]

Lovely set Terri, #2 is my fav

[rtbaum]

A real nice set, Terri. I love it when the critters are cooperative.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[terrib]

Thanks to all of you for your kind comments. It was a great morning. I treasure having the opportunity to spend time near wildlife.

[John 2]

Thanks to all of you for your kind comments. It was a great morning. I treasure having the opportunity to spend time near wildlife.

Isn't it a joy to be able to lose yourself in a chase like that (because that's what it is) and come away with a great result. It's one of the few things you can't enjoy more in company. Great series.

[terrib]

Isn't it a joy to be able to lose yourself in a chase like that (because that's what it is) and come away with a great result. It's one of the few things you can't enjoy more in company. Great series.

Thanks John. You are so right. I do go out occasionally with other photographers but I much prefer shooting alone, especially when trying to shoot wildlife. There are just so many encounters that wouldn't happen in the first place with more people around. And the only person I was ever in tune with enough to be able to really lose myself in the experience was my husband. Those companions are hard to come by!

[RandyRFJP]

Thanks for posting the sequence. All are excellent photos of a beautiful animal.

[Donald]

Every image has something none of the other images have, making it an absolutely wonderful set. Exceptionally well done!

I am very happy to endorse this view. A pleasure to see these images.

[madcrow]

Beautiful and wonderful. Will done, thanks for letting me view shots

[rpcrowe]

Super set of images, wonderfully sharp... Even when shooting with an image stabilized lens, I tend to use a monopod...

[Rita]

Fantastic images Terri. What a great way to spend time.

[terrib]

Super set of images, wonderfully sharp... Even when shooting with an image stabilized lens, I tend to use a monopod...

And thanks to the rest of you for commenting.

Richard, I should spend more time with a monopod to get used to it. Like a tripod, a monopod still gets in my way as I'm up and down. I use my shoulder to rest the camera which helps some but a lot of my shots do suffer from lack of sharpness.