Day 2 Wildlife Photography at Black Mesa State Park - Steve Creek Wildlife Photography

White-tailed doe standing with her fawn in tall grass at Black Mesa Nature Preserve — A white-tailed doe pauses with her fawn along the grassland at Black Mesa Nature Preserve.

Continuing from where I left off yesterday (A Late-Summer Adventure at Black Mesa State Park) , my adventure at Black Mesa State Park is off to an exciting start. After setting up camp and chatting with a state park employee about the local wildlife, I spent some time scouting the park to plan my day for Tuesday, August 27, 2024. The timing was perfect as I returned to camp just as the rain started, creating the perfect ambiance for a restful night.

Sunrise at Black Mesa Nature Preserve

At sunrise, I set out for the Black Mesa Nature Preserve, about 10 miles from my campsite. The drive was peaceful, and I was lucky enough to spot a few White-tailed Does with a Fawn along the way. I couldn’t resist capturing the moment. If you look closely at the photo, you’ll notice that the Doe is in the process of shedding her summer coat and putting on her winter coat. These subtle changes in nature are fascinating and remind me of the constant ebb and flow of the seasons.

White-tailed fawn standing near a trail in early morning light — A young white-tailed fawn stands alert near the trail early in the morning.

Young white-tailed fawn paused in grass with summer coat visible — The same white-tailed fawn pauses in the grass, still showing its summer coat.

After parking at the preserve, I began my walk along the trail. The early morning light filtering through the landscape set the stage for what turned out to be a productive session.

Encounters on the Trail

Not long after starting down the trail, I came across several Mule Deer quietly feeding near the path. One of them was close enough for a good shot, and I managed to get a photo that really captured the essence of the moment.

Mule deer doe feeding near a trail at Black Mesa Nature Preserve — A mule deer doe feeds quietly near the trail during the morning walk.

As I continued up the trail, I spooked a rabbit in the tall grass. Fortunately, it didn’t run far, allowing me to get a clear photo. The morning was proving to be as fruitful as I’d hoped.

Rabbit paused in tall grass along a trail at Black Mesa — A rabbit freezes briefly in the tall grass after being startled along the trail.

I also saw a few birds along the way. While I did take photos, I’m holding off on sharing them here until I can properly identify each species. I wrote a separate post focused on those sightings in Birds of Day 2 at Black Mesa State Park.

Afternoon Walk and a Turkey Surprise

After returning to camp and grabbing a quick lunch, I decided to explore a nearby creek. This turned out to be a great decision as I encountered four Wild Turkeys. At first, I thought they were catching and eating grasshoppers, but after observing them more closely, I realized they were stripping seeds from the tall grass. I was able to capture one in action, stripping seeds with its beak.

Wild turkey feeding on grass seeds near a creek — A wild turkey strips seeds from tall grass during an afternoon walk near the creek.

Wild turkeys are fascinating creatures, with a diet that includes a variety of plant and animal matter. They are opportunistic feeders, and their adaptability was on full display during this encounter.

A Stormy Evening

I headed out again around 4:00 P.M. for another drive through the park, hoping for more wildlife sightings. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. With another storm brewing, I decided to call it quits early.

Despite the early end to the day, it was a rewarding experience overall. I’m eager to see what tomorrow holds, there’s always something new and exciting in store here at Black Mesa State Park. Stay tuned for more updates!