ear maitenance
We have five local species in the deer family (the cervids): moose, elk, caribou, mule deer, white-tailed deer. A short time ago, I included pictures of moose and white-tailed deer. Added today are mule deer and elk.
The pictures of mule deer were taken on a local mountainside by Doug Thorburn; At about the same time I was watching some elk. So, why not post them together? Mule deer are named for their oversized ears—a feature supposedly reminiscent of a mule. This prompted the theme: the swivelling ears of cervids. All of the pictures show females.
Aware of the photographer, a mule deer has its ears swivelled to the front.
When facing the other way, mule deer continue to monitor the photographer by swivelling their ears to the back.
This elk has is ears swivelled to hear what is behind it.
While this one is both watching and listening to what is in front.
Doug Thorburn’s pictures of mule deer are used with permission.