Columbian Black-tailed Deer

Odocoileus hemionus columbianus

March 4, 2022: Ellis Creek

A few deer were seen in the meadow at the eastern edge of the site.

March 30, 2022: Sonoma State University

Found a partial skeleton of a black-tailed deer in the creek near the driving bridge.

May 6, 2022: Morgan Trail, Bear Valley, Point Reyes

Several deer were in view pretty much the entire time we were walking the Morgan Trail. There was a group of about four of them in the meadow, but we had a real treat when we spotted a 6-point buck in the woods. Again, my camera failed me a bit, but I still got a few good shots of this majestic animal.

June 1, 2022: Bodega Marine Lab

These were the first animals I saw after arriving at the marine lab. I was feeling grumpy . . . I wasn’t entirely sure I was in the right place, and there wasn’t another person in sight, and I’d forgotten to grab a mask out of my car, and then left my phone in the car. When I returned to my car for the second time, when I went to grab my phone, I looked up and saw this gorgeous mama and fawn very close to me. I was able to snap a few photos, and my mood improved greatly. No matter what had happened up to that point in my day, I’d been in exactly the right place at that moment. Deer are so gentle and beautiful. Later in the afternoon, I saw more deer during our tour of the facility. Does and fawns were an almost constant presence throughout our stay. I don’t remember ever seeing such a high density of deer anywhere else I’ve been (or perhaps a few deer were just always hanging around). But there were at least two females and two fawns at the lab, and others in the general vicinity. It was so much fun to watch the adorable fawns.

June 2, 2022: Bodega Marine Lab

Of course, I was also thrilled to see the Columbian Black-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus), with at least one doe and her two fawns out and about on the scrubby landscape.

After night fell, as I was heading to bed, I caught a glimpse of a Columbian Black-tailed Deer buck at the edge of the parking lot. I think this was the first male deer I’d seen, even though I’d been seeing does and fawns throughout both days. I didn’t get any photos, but (spoiler alert!) that would change on the following day.

June 3 2022: Bodega Marine Lab

My other notable sighting was an extremely cooperative Columbian Black-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) who was standing right at the edge of the road. I was able to pull the car up within a few feet of her to get some great photos. So pretty.

At the lab, I had the pleasure of seeing another doe and her two fawns when they walked right behind our lab classroom during one of our breaks.

As I left on the BML road, I took my time and took as many photos as I could of the great wildlife I saw along the way. Not long after I started down the road, I saw a Columbian Black-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) buck cross the road up ahead of me. When I made my way to the place where I’d seen him cross, I found him foraging not far from the road. After watching him for a while, I looked around to see that there was another buck nearby. And then another, and another – four altogether. I suppose this was a bachelor herd, and may explain why we hadn’t seen them individually throughout our stay.