With warmer weather slowly starting to arrive, my mind can’t help but wander and look forward to the scenes and critters to come this summer. The mountain goats are always one of the highlights. Somehow, these rugged creatures thrive at the high altitudes, enduring some of the harshest conditions possible in Colorado. Summer undoubtedly gives them a welcome break. Here, one stands tall and proud, looking out over all that is below its 14,000 foot home on July 2nd of last year.
Top Shots 2023 – Mammals
Creatures big and small passed in front of my lenses over my past photo year. No matter their size, all were special to see from the pika and mink to the bison, bighorn and pronghorn. Here’s a look back at my favorite mammal captures from my past photo year.
Mountain goat kid takes a nap alongside the road
When you’re the smallest in the herd and all the grownups want to move up the mountain, you have no choice but to follow but it is hard, tiring work! This little kid was clearly quite pooped out as they neared the top and when the herd took a break to graze, decided it would rather sleep than eat. Kind of a cruddy landscape but so stinking cute. Come to think of it, as I look at this pic, I could use a nap too. 😉
Just me and my shadow
I didn’t get to spend as much time with these high-altitude residents this summer as I would have liked but I did have a couple worthwhile outings. This image is from the end of July. The kids were very active that morning so I was scrambling around a lot trying to keep up. Taking a break from playing with its friends, this goat stopped and posed. As it did, it cast a cool shadow on the nearby rocks.
“I can fly!”
A couple of days ago I posted pics of an amazing flying pika. Here, the more common flying mountain goat kid is seen testing out its flight capability. 😉
On this day, as the goats worked their way up the mountain, the kids were very rambunctious, running around and playing as the adults lazily grazed. Here, after cresting one part of the mountain to meet the road, a kid seems quite proud of its climb and bounds around, catching some air.
“Hey! Be sure to get my picture!”
A mountain goat kid shows off for the camera this past weekend on Mount Evans. In fact, it was preparing to pounce on top its buddy’s head and when it did, it knocked both of them off the rock. Watching the kids play ‘king of the mountain’ is so danged much fun and I can never get enough of it. This particular kid was actually a good bit smaller than the others indicating it was a bit of a late arrival for the season. All were of course crazy cute!
Mountain goat nanny and yearling take in the sights at 14,000 feet
This mama and her likely offspring from last year were hanging out apart from the rest of the herd near the top of Mount Evans. While the younger one was mostly intent on feeding, mom was quite content and spent a lot of time just staring off into the morning sun. Junior joined her at one point, giving me this capture. Remnants of her winter coat were blowing in the cold wind, sometimes obscuring her face, but I managed at least one clear shot of the two of them.
Posing with mama for Mountain Goat Monday
Finally! Yesterday I finally had the first opportunity of the season to head up Mount Evans and was rewarded with some cool critters and scenes. Among them was this gorgeous nanny and her kid. My wife and I saw quite a few little ones but I kind of liked this capture the best as the pair perched high above the remains of the Crest House restaurant.
A very interesting scene near the top of the 14,265 foot high mountain. Temps were barely above freezing and the wind was howling more than I have ever seen up there – literally made me stumble as I walked. There is a lot more snow left than what we normally see this time of year as well, no doubt owing to the last couple of months which have been colder than normal slowing the snowmelt.
Mountain goat kid strikes a pose
With bone-chilling cold and snow yesterday, my mind couldn’t help but wander to warmer days and summertime critters. Of course the temperature at 14,000+ feet is never really all that warm but it does allow for visits with these fun little ones.
This image, taken last July, is a cute, fun shot of one of the mountain goat kids as it paused briefly while bounding around the boulders on Mount Evans in Colorado. It almost seemed to purposefully pose for me. It will be another few months before conditions allow a visit but I am very much looking forward to it.
Video slideshow – Top shots 2022: Wildlife
Last but not least in my look back at my photo year, we come to mammals big and small – with a reptile thrown in for good measure as well. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to photograph so many of the creatures which we share this planet with. Each one is special and each chance to see them thrills me. Enjoy this view of pika, marmots, bison, foxes, bears and so much more!