Yearling Mule Deer Buck In The Wasatch Mountains

Yearling Mule Deer buck nibbling on dried vegetation – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I drove up into the Wasatch Mountains yesterday. My Jeep got pretty muddy and one highlight of my morning was when I photographed this yearling Mule Deer buck. This young deer was with a group of does and other yearlings that were crossing a dirt road. None of them seemed the least bit bothered my sudden appearance in their habitat so I pulled over and took a nice series of photos of the small group.

With all the spring grasses nearby I was surprised when the young buck nibbled on a stalk of dried vegetation.

Yearling Mule Deer buck giving me the look – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The tiny nubbins of the velvet-covered antlers on the yearling buck were barely visible without the benefit of my long lens. I loved the look I appeared to be getting from the young deer in this photo. This image made me laugh out loud when I saw it large on my screen at home.

Male yearling Mule Deer crossing a dirt road – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

When this yearling Mule Deer buck and the other deer crossed the road I decided to turn my Jeep around. I knew I had several miles of super muddy roads to travel before getting back on the pavement to head home.

Other highlights of my morning in the high country were that I saw and photographed my first of year Yellow Warbler in the same spot as I photographed the deer yesterday. It was a male singing his heart out at the top of a tree. I also heard but didn’t see several first of year Green-tailed Towhees. My ears were delighted by their songs.

Spring in the Wasatch Mountains is always a treat.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Mule Deer photos plus facts and information about this species.