Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Mule deer buck

Velvet shedding When shedding the velvet off of their antlers, the bucks will rub on trees, bushes whatever they can find. This guy decided to grab a quick rest after using the sagebrush to rid his antlers of the velvet. He laid there very still so I would not see him.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2024
Date Uploaded: 09.2024
Photo Location: Buffalo, Wyoming, Wyoming, United States of America
Camera: COOLPIX P900
Copyright: © Susan Storey