Mule Deer Buck in the Woods

A mature mule deer buck in the glow of the morning sun, A dead tree is seen just in front of him. Antlers glimmer in the sun shine. Nose is covered in mud. Ears and eyes alert.

The Davis Mountains of west Texas are home to many types of flora and fauna. There are deer, elk, antelope ( pronghorn ), aoudad ( barbary sheep), and many other types of wildlife.

The following is from:
http://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/nature/mule_deer.htm

"Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are very common throughout the western United States. They are named for their oversized ears that resemble a mule's ears. Compared to its cousin, the white-tailed deer, mule deer are smaller in size, and have a black-tipped white tail and white patch on the rump. They can be three feet tall at the shoulder and weigh anywhere between 100 and 300 pounds. They have excellent hearing and eyesight that warns them of approaching dangers.

Males, called bucks, have forked antlers. They shed antlers in mid-February and their next set begins to grow immediately after. Antlers are covered with velvety skin until fully formed, when the buck scrapes this layer off. Females are called does and do not have antlers."
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