On a quiet morning at Lake Carl Etling in Black Mesa State Park, I photographed a Roman-nosed Mule Deer Doe walking along the shoreline. Her distinctive curved nose immediately stood out, giving her profile a unique appearance I had rarely seen in a doe. With the early morning light just reaching the lake, I was able to watch and photograph her as she moved calmly along the water’s edge.
Watching a Mule Deer Doe Along Lake Carl Etling
As I made my way down to the lake, I was lucky enough to spot a Mule Deer Doe accompanied by her fawn heading towards the water. They disappeared from view as I started my walk along the shoreline, but later in the morning, as I made my way back to my campsite, I spotted them again. This time, they were walking along the shoreline in my direction.
The Doe crossed the water, I don’t think she sensed my presence because she continued walking in my general direction. I lost sight of the fawn, but I kept my focus on the Doe as she began to browse on the brush. As she moved closer to my position, though still on the opposite shore, I couldn’t help but notice her behavior. She seemed to spot me a few times, looking directly in my direction. I remained perfectly still, and with the wind in my favor, she didn’t seem alarmed. After some time, she turned and disappeared into the trees, leaving me with only my photos and the memory of the encounter.
A Rare Roman Nose on a Mule Deer Doe
One interesting feature of this particular Mule Deer Doe was her “Roman nose.” This trait, while more common in older bucks, was quite pronounced in her. A Roman nose on a mule deer refers to a more curved or prominent nose bridge, giving the animal’s profile a distinctive look. It’s not often seen in does, which made this sighting all the more special.
The Roman nose can be a sign of age or simply a genetic variation. In many cases, it gives the deer a more distinguished appearance, almost as if they carry a certain wisdom with them. Seeing this trait in the wild and being able to capture it through my lens was an unexpected highlight of the morning.
As the morning progressed, and the Doe vanished into the brush, I reflected on how nature always has a way of surprising us. The quiet moments, like watching a Roman-nosed Mule Deer Doe peacefully browse by the lake, are what make wildlife photography so rewarding. It’s not always about the grand scenes or rare sightings; sometimes, it’s the simple, quiet encounters that leave the most lasting impression.
As I headed back to my campsite, I was already looking forward to what the rest of the day might bring. Even with the holiday crowd thinning out, there’s always something new to discover at Black Mesa State Park. Life truly is good here.
Interesting to see and hear about a Roman Nose on the deer. I have not never heard of that, and I will watch to see if the local deer around my area have them.