In October I was in Yellowstone National Park primarily to see and photograph the elk rut. However, my daughter’s 3rd grade teacher now lives in Gardner, MT and spends her time studying the wolves, so I made a several drives up to the Lamar Valley to see her and check out wolves. Each time I passed through the burned tree area before Tower I saw small groups of what I believe are mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). They seem awfully small compared to the much larger elk. This buck — only males grow antlers, which will be shed in late December or January — was in the company of three other deer, presumably females, who seemed comfortable grazing in high grass near me. It was near sunset and raining, so for the most part I just hung out and watched them, not getting many photos.
Mule deer in tall grass, fall, autumn.
Image ID: 19577
Species: Mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus
Location: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
