So I was able to make it out again this weekend with my buddy Brian to go look for some mountain goats to photograph. I haven't had a chance yet to get some good photos of goats this year and I was really excited. The snow level was quite low to say the least. We still had to park about half a mile from the trail head and hike in snow the whole way just to get into the country. Luckily, that just keeps the hikers out and makes it more likely to see animals.
Early on we spotted a bear on the next ridge over across the creek. Not a great picture, but I'm always excited to see a good bear.
[smg id=9586]
Soon we were able to spot our first mountain goat. He was a small billy all by himself.
[smg id=9575]
[smg id=9576]
We were in some beautiful country. This just gives you an idea of the terrain we were in.
[smg id=9574]
There were a few stragglers around hanging out by themselves. This nanny looked really scraggly.
[smg id=9577]
There were two nannies with kids hanging out down low. We were able to watch them get a bit aggressive with each other and go after each other with their horns. Sorry, too far away for any good video of that. Still, it's always great to see kids up there.
[smg id=9578]
[smg id=9579]
We spotted a larger herd of goats and put the stalk on them. They were feeding to the south and we were moving in from the north. All of a sudden the whole herd switched directions and moved right towards us. We were able to get set up 100 yards away from where the entire herd moved across a small snowfield. In total, there were 29 goats in the herd and 7 of them were kids. It was really interesting to see them use the snow as a water source. Almost every single goat would stop and lick the snow for a while.
[smg id=9580]
[smg id=9581]
7-10-10 - Mt. Baker mountain goat herd on the snowEventually the herd moved on and we were able to get some pics of them feeding on the mountain flowers. Later, they caught our movement and took off running.
[smg id=9582]
7-10-10 spooked Mt.. Baker mountain goat herd #1Brian and I wanted to go summit a peak to the south so we continued hiking in that direction. Almost immediately, we spooked another herd of 17 w/ 3 kids in the herd. They ran for over 2 miles before they stopped. We followed their tracks until they took off over a glacier and down the hill.
[smg id=9583]
[smg id=9584]
7-10-10 spooked Mt. Baker mountain goat herd #2Brian and I were able to summit the peak. Here we are at well over 7000 feet elevation.
[smg id=9585]
On the way out, we did get a good picture of this small buck. Definitely a shooter with my bow if I see him this September.
[smg id=9587]
All in all, the herd seems to be doing great. We saw 50 goats and 12 of them were kids. That is far above the standard reproduction rate for a herd. We also saw at least 4 yearlings which is great survival rate for a herd of this size. Hopefully someday soon we can get some more tags up there.
