The mule deer is not seen as often at the valley bottoms as is the white-tailed deer. Among its distinguishing features are its largish ears (after which it is named), and a white black-tipped rope-like tail.
The mule deer is also the only local animal that stots.
Stotting is a travelling gait (e.g., walking, trotting, galloping) in which the animal moves forward by leaping into the air with four stiff legs. It seems to be a response to seeing a perceived predator and says: I see you, so you lack the advantage of surprise.
Two mule deer were standing on the edge of a forest when one of them started stotting.
After a brief pause, it stotted again, this time leaping higher.
Comestibles, amplexus, stotting…I wonder what other term I’ll learn from you, Alistair. Good to see you birding yesterday & thanks for the beautiful mulies! What eastern Oregonians of Dirk’s culture called them!