He's back!

Last summer we had a young male antelope move in for a couple days, then disappear only to reappear in early fall, stay for a week or so and then disappear. 

Last year was very cool.  Today, having him back, seeing him on Murphy and my walk and then with the horses in the afternoon ... was wicked cool.  Today was the closest I've ever been to an antelope.  He is absolutely gorgeous!  And just a young guy.  I think we first saw him last June, when he stayed for a bit and then went on his way to return in September I think. 

The antelopes (last year and this year) have seemed very low key and from what I've been told, very curious.  We first saw him this morning out in the pasture laying on the out of the wind side of the hill .... hanging out, relaxing, napping ... whatever antelope due on their down time.  Murphy and I spotted him later in the day in one of the lower pastures.

Watching me and Murphy from the safety of the hill

I seemed that we were rather of "no consequence" .... we weren't frightening enough to make him run away and we weren't interesting enough to hold his attention.

He is a handsome boy.

And magnificant

and ruler of all he surveys

Then it got interesting .....

The herd caught sight (or scent) of the new kid and sent a welcome contingency over -- I'm sure just to say "hi" and welcome him to the neighborhood.  Individually they can be imposing, advancing in a tightly formed group ... downright overwhelming.  I know.  I've been nose to nose with each of them and all of them together.  I do know that in this case their intent was much more  friendly than they looked.  

It was kind of interesting to watch.  As they crossed the road Shadow dropped off and stayed between Rosie who had remained on the hill opposite the antelope and the welcoming committee.  Mama stayed even with Shadow and on the antelope side of the hill.  Nicker, Miss and Hank advanced towards the antelope.

Hank and Miss took point, while Nicker bravely watches from the safety of "behind Hank and Miss"

I was watching from maybe about 500 feet away. It was interesting to see them work as individuals with the purpose of "for the good of the herd" or maybe they just all had the same curiosity.  Mama is in the lowest left corner, Nicker Miss and Hank are a bit above her on the hill.  Nicker is behind Miss and Hank so it is difficult to clearly see her.

Hank steps out almost at a "prance" as he heads to make introductions with the new kid.

As the antelope starts to move out, Hank (never one to give up) heads up hill to get a closer look.

As Hank advances, the antelope heads for the fence .... Hank never did, at least not this time, get to go nose to nose with the new kid.

.

I'm not sure what Hank would have done, other than say "hey there - hi! welcome to the neighborhood - if you plan on joining us for dinner and since none of us share all that well, you'll need to bring your own bucket or maybe you could use one of the extra ones we have at the barn."

When we have deer come through, Mama is immediately on high alert.  If they are close enough, Miss and Nicker try to play with the them ... they haven't had any luck to date, they keep trying.   So I think if they'd been afraid of the antelope, they would have headed the opposite direction or if they'd felt the least bit threatened I know Mama wouldn't have let Nicker past her nose.   

Poor guy, I'm not sure he knew what to do about the horses.  He didn't seem afraid either, because he really didn't move to leave until Hank got fairly close ... it will be interesting to see how long the antelope stays around this time and if he and Hank get a chance to make friends.

I'll keep you posted.