NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/846037
JULY 2017 • NEBRASKAland 39 or so, it dawned on me that I should get my camera out of the bag and photograph the bird. I took a few photos, but the angle of light wasn't great, so I backed the UTV around in a half circle to get a better angle while the hawk continued to stare at us. Eventually, I opened the door, eased myself to the ground and took more photos of the bird from about 15 feet away before we decided to catch up with our friends. As we drove off into the hills, the hawk was still on the ground watching us go. Pronghorn Fawns I was driving through the Niobrara Valley Preserve one afternoon, looking at the results of various grazing practices, when I spotted a pronghorn ahead of me, a little to the side of the trail road I was following. The pronghorn stood with its head down, apparently feeding. I kept driving, wondering how long it would be until she finally noticed my approach. Eventually, she did raise her head, and upon seeing a truck within 100 yards of her, galloped up and over the hill. I looked over at the spot she'd left to see if I could tell what she'd been eating, and saw a slight movement. I got out of the truck to check it out. When I got within a few yards, I finally realized the pronghorn hadn't been distracted by food but because she had been busily licking her newborn fawn. A few steps later, I saw a second fawn right behind the first. I never would have approached the pronghorn or her fawns if I'd known what was going on ahead of time. But since I'd already spooked their mom out of sight, I figured I might as well take a few quick photos, so I pulled my camera out of the bag and did so. A couple seconds later, I retreated quickly to the truck and drove off so the mom could return to her kids. The fawns never moved the whole time. Nort hern Bobwhite Our family owns a little land south of Aurora, including some prairie we manage for both profit and conservation. As I was driving a two- track path along the south edge of the property one day, I noticed a northern bobwhite on a fence post ahead of me. I stopped and rolled down the window to listen to it calling. After a minute or so, I decided to be on my way, and drove on toward the post where the bobwhite was sitting. I expected the bird to fly once I got closer, but it seemed intently focused on its song, despite my approach. Sensing an These pronghorn fawns were still wet from birth when I stumbled across them in the Sandhills. After a few quick photographs, I left them alone.