Late October through November is the peak breeding season for Whitetail Deer and gray, drizzly days are ideal for viewing bucks in pursuit of receptive does. I should say that this type of day is ideal only in the sense that the normally shy bucks are much more likely to come out in the open on a gloomy day. Unfortunately, the low light conditions are not the best for capturing clear images of the deer. When I saw this guy wandering past the window, I knew instantly what he was after.
He’s so focused on a nearby doe that he doesn’t even notice me at the window.
Their rendezvous occurs in the White Pine windbreak.
The fawns are content to feed on white clover in the lawn. Their spots have disappeared, but they still have the youthful appearance of fawns.
A commotion in the pine trees causes them to lose interest in the clover. They seem torn between a need to run and a desire to seek the safety of their mother.
The doe finally leaves the pines and enters the yard to feed. The buck has left some disheveled hair as evidence of their encounter. The doe’s leg has been unusable for months and I doubt that conditions will improve. She does a fair job of getting around and is obviously still desirable to the gentlemen, but she’s beginning to display a gaunt appearance. I don’t expect her to make it through the winter. It would be truly amazing to see her back next spring with another set of twins.
One fawn, still at alert from scary happenings in the pine trees, runs to Mama for comfort.
This seems a good time for one of those facts of life discussions.
A
Camera Critters submission.
Late October through November is the peak breeding season for Whitetail Deer and gray, drizzly days are ideal for viewing bucks in pursuit of receptive does. I should say that this type of day is ideal only in the sense that the normally shy bucks are much more likely to come out in the open on a gloomy day. Unfortunately, the low light conditions are not the best for capturing clear images of the deer. When I saw this guy wandering past the window, I knew instantly what he was after.
He’s so focused on a nearby doe that he doesn’t even notice me at the window.
Their rendezvous occurs in the White Pine windbreak.
The fawns are content to feed on white clover in the lawn. Their spots have disappeared, but they still have the youthful appearance of fawns.
A commotion in the pine trees causes them to lose interest in the clover. They seem torn between a need to run and a desire to seek the safety of their mother.
The doe finally leaves the pines and enters the yard to feed. The buck has left some disheveled hair as evidence of their encounter. The doe’s leg has been unusable for months and I doubt that conditions will improve. She does a fair job of getting around and is obviously still desirable to the gentlemen, but she’s beginning to display a gaunt appearance. I don’t expect her to make it through the winter. It would be truly amazing to see her back next spring with another set of twins.
One fawn, still at alert from scary happenings in the pine trees, runs to Mama for comfort.
What a great series of shots...I hope mama makes it through the winter...
ReplyDeletei love, love those graceful creatures!
ReplyDeleteso thanks so much for sharing:)
beautiful set of photos!
have a great weekend!
Terrific shots!
ReplyDeleteLiving on five acres I have the wonderful advantage of seeing deer almost daily. It's a wonderful experience. My current buck is rather small compared to this big guy.
Carletta@Round The Bend
Fabulous photos despite the lighting conditions. The subjects more than make up for the gloom of the day. I hope Mama makes it through the winter, too. (Part of my brain is imagining a veterinarian fixing her leg, which I know is ridiculous, but a vivid imagination will do that.)
ReplyDeleteKay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
Your photos tell a good story-with a cliff-hanger ending: will the mother survive a winter? I'm hoping the next chapter will have a happy ending. Good job!
ReplyDeleteKay
Thanks anonymous.
ReplyDeleteThanks Betty. The weekend is supposed to be beautiful here.
Thanks Carletta. I checked out your deer pictures. I don't have a bird bath for my deer to drink from, but they seem to enjoy my watergarden.
Thanks Kay. I don't know what's wrong with the doe's leg, but I'm sure she wouldn't appreciate a doctor visit.
Thanks Kay. That doe has produced a set of twins each year for at least the last five years, so her age is also becoming a factor when it comes to winter survival. If she doesn't survive, at least she's leaving behind a tremendous family.