tpeakphotos

On a mid-spring morning along the Smoke Creek Desert in Lassen County, California, I had a rare experience—a beautiful buck pronghorn actually stood still for me to photograph. Normally, these skittish animals earn their “speed goat” nickname by bolting away at 45+ mph, adding to my collection of pronghorn butt photos. A huge bonus: it was 6:30 AM, and the golden light perfectly illuminated him, casting a nice catch light in his eye.

Pronghorns (Antilocapra americana) are incredible. Despite their nickname, they aren't goats or true antelope but the last surviving member of the Antilocapridae family. They’re the fastest land animal in the Western Hemisphere and can sustain 40+ mph over rough terrain. Their extreme skittishness often clashes with their curiosity—I’ve had a few stare me down, and they’re oddly fixated on shiny objects. Seeing them often is a privilege, even if they rarely cooperate for photos.
tpeakphotos

Show more

Loading...
Loading...