The Pronghorn shake

Yellowstone Pronghorn Shake - © Christopher Martin-8435-2

Pronghorns are scattered across Yellowstone.  They range from the lower grasslands through to high valley meadows.  It was a cold morning so I was not surprised this fellow wanted to shake off the cold.  When the droplets flew from his position a little higher than me, the effect looked more like there had been an explosion.  I thought it was a good start to our respective days.

Yellowstone Pronghorn Shake - © Christopher Martin-8421

I watched him approach from Soda Butte Creek at the northeast end of the Lamar Valley.  He looked like he had just crossed it but maybe that was just from the rain at daybreak.  Shortly after spinning off the water, the sun came out, apparently to help dry his coat.  The wet sagebrush began to steam as soon as the sunlight hit it, creating a haze around the Pronghorn.

Yellowstone Pronghorn Shake - © Christopher Martin-8457

He passed within 30 yards of me and then crossed the road on his way up the base of Druid Peak’s southern flank.

Yellowstone Pronghorn Shake - © Christopher Martin-8466

Yellowstone Pronghorn Shake - © Christopher Martin-8492

12 responses

  1. Wow! Respect

    June 3, 2016 at 1:15 pm

  2. Mike Hohmann

    Wonderful photos, Christopher. Glad you made it to Yellowstone. You were there a bit early in the season, but I’m sure you avoided crowds of vacationers and plenty of bugs to boot! I plan to visit there again this year as well. I’ve watched the Pronghorn Antelope in Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico but I know their range extends beyond that. I’ve even taken some decent photos of them, but they sure don’t compare with yours! I believe the Pronghorn is the fastest North American mammal… beautiful!

    May 31, 2016 at 5:58 pm

  3. Sally

    A great moment, well captured. Sally

    May 30, 2016 at 3:11 pm

  4. Photos imbued with emotions. Extremely live footage. Great work!

    May 30, 2016 at 1:51 pm

  5. janvdijk9464

    Reblogged this on janencarinvandijk and commented:
    dit is weer een mooie natuur blog met prachtige foto bedankt voor de maker ervan

    May 30, 2016 at 11:54 am

  6. Simply Amazing!

    May 30, 2016 at 11:53 am

  7. I don’t think it is easy to get a shake-well done!

    May 30, 2016 at 10:56 am

  8. Amazing shots.

    May 30, 2016 at 7:11 am

  9. stunning makes me miss living in Montana

    May 29, 2016 at 8:25 pm

  10. Joann Pensabene

    Beautiful.

    May 29, 2016 at 7:21 pm

  11. Decisive Moment

    May 29, 2016 at 5:42 pm

  12. Wonderful photos. I love that you were able to catch him shaking off the morning dew.

    May 29, 2016 at 4:57 pm

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