I was working my way through an area that I had marked for the vocalizations I heard a little over a week ago looking for more signs of mountain lion activity. There were scrapes and scat along the trail, but when I started looking closer at the area I discovered the skull of a young mule deer buck. At first I didn't see the crushed nasal bones that are clear signs that a mountain lion was the culprit of the kill. Mountain lions will either bite the nasal cavity of deer or use their powerful legs to crush them into the dirt as a way to suffocate their prey and make the kill.
Just last Friday I was back in this area looking for even more signs when I came across the spinal column and hips that likely belonged to the skull I had found earlier. Upon close examination of these bones I noticed that they were chewed on quite a bit and some were missing. Mountain lions will do this to get to the marrow inside that provide valuable nutrients to their diets.
More Rattlesnakes in the Area
I was making my way down from the kill site, recording a video to show the landscape and explain how mountain lions use the area when I ran into another rattlesnake laying out under a tree. Chills went down my spine when I looked to see it sprawled out where I had just been poking around not 20 minutes earlier. I was under the same tree looking for signs when I must have disturbed this beautiful creature and pushed him out of his hiding place. Luckily it was nice enough to let me pass by, completely oblivious, without incident.
Deer Signs are Good Signs
Mule deer are a mountain lions favorite prey, so it is always a good indicator of their presence in the area when you run into these deer. It can be difficult to have encounters with these adorable fawns when you understand the harsh reality of nature and the hunting by large felines that take place here. However, the circle of life is also a beautiful thing to be able to experience first hand. My time in this location has brought so many magnificent encounters with wildlife and this fawn was another I won't soon forget.
Sessions at JABCECC
Make sure to keep and eye out for more mini sessions coming up at JABCECC or you can even book your own personal date for a time that works best for you!
There is a lot of time, effort and expense that goes into creating images and working towards conservation goals that protect the wild places we visit. It would be an honor to have my work displayed in your home as a way to keep doing this work!
Red-Tail Hawk - Acrylic Print
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