We never know what we're going to see when we go out for a ride. Near the Green River, we came up on a herd of pronghorn (
Antilocapra americana).
They stared at us for awhile, wondering what kind of animal we were. Though these guys didn't seem interested in running, the pronghorn (also called a pronhorn antelope, or simply an antelope, although it actually isn't of the antelope family) can run up to 60mph and cover close to 8 yards in a single stride. Wikipedia cites the pronghorn as the second fastest land animal, second only to the cheetah. They have large eyes with a 320 degree field of vision.
After a few minutes of keeping a close watch on horses and riders, they moved on, in no particular hurry.
Oh what I could do with that amount of degree of vision!:) (Especially with teenagers...sigh.
ReplyDeleteNice picture of them all!
Excellent ... didn't know about the pronghorn's. You do capture the most fabulous scenes.
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful weekend ~
Hugs,
TTFN ~
Marydon
I do not think I have ever seen so many in one group before. Great aniamls. My daughter when 6 or so would call them pronghorn cantelope. She now teaches biology at a college.
ReplyDeleteI always watch for antelope around Green River. Didn't realize they were quite that speedy. Still no snow for you!
ReplyDeletewow 60 miles per hour that is fast...I so love your trips....get to see so many interesting beautiful things...and not even leave the house...
ReplyDeleteHi Janie, Love seeing the Pronghorns... I've never seen them before except in photos... NEAT!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the gorgeous photos. Have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy
Wow, what a delightful sighting. Looks like you ran into a little snow too.
ReplyDeleteThese pronghorns were certainly giving you the once over. Perhaps they thought you were trespassing on their turf.
ReplyDeleteI've never even heard of "Pronghorns" before. How fun! I'm so pleased I can live vicariously through you. I rode a horse once but only because they coaxed me to sit in the saddle and the horse had the chutzpah to MOVE on me!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that Pronghorns roamed freely in Utah.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures, Janie. Thanks for sharing these amazing creatures.
~:)
Nice pictures of the herd, Janie. I saw lots of pronghorns when I was in Wyoming, and even though I was thrilled to encounter them I remember being somewhat disappointed that I didn't see them run. I knew of their 60 miles per hour reputation and that it would be awesome to witness, but perhaps they save those performances for when they see a cougar. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots. Pronghorn antelope are so graceful when they run and so vigilant when being watched.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly were checking you out.
ReplyDeleteEvery ride you take us is a new adventure and we don't even have to leave home. Lovely photos Janie. I have never seen a pronghorn before, only in photos such as yours.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, Pronghorns, how cool!
ReplyDeleteFun wildlife sighting. They seem like such exotic beasts, as if they belong in Africa. I guess i'm just used to seeing plain old deer.
ReplyDeleteYou invaded their territory so they had to take a good long look at you;-)
ReplyDeleteReminds me of a herd of curious cows I ran across trout fishing last summer in their pasture. They don't run very fast though... :)
ReplyDeleteThey are so beautiful....I love this photo Janie! We learned about them on our trip to Wyoming.....we only saw groups of two to four; they are gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful encounter, and they sure do look curious!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing antelope. Here they mostly live across the highway, closer to the Snake River, but occasionally one or two will wander over our way.
ReplyDelete- The Equestrian Vagabond
WOW! I have never seen these before!
ReplyDeletethat's interesting that they aren't actually antelope. We have a lot that wander along highway six between Price and East Carbon. One time my youngest saw a herd and said "Oh, look! Reindeer!" We've laughed about it a lot over the years.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I wonder where they were headed? It's so cool when you have a chance to see scenes like this.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing the goats! You can hide in a sagebrush, wave a stick with your neckerchief on the end, and they'll come right over without arrow range.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful surprise to see! I wonder what your horses thought about them?
ReplyDeletePronghorn are always fun to see. Definitely the most exotic-looking animal in North America.
ReplyDeletei dont like to comment, but your post made my day and so i shall!
ReplyDelete