deer | kritterspix

Snow Critters

Posted on December 4, 2019December 4, 2019 by kritterspaw

Moqui Snow_IR.jpg

This last storm met the predictions of the weathermen who projected 2′ of snow.

With it, brought animals looking for food.

It was great fun to see this little baby deer enjoying it’s first snow. It reminded me of Journey when we get snow, as she runs around and loves to ‘snorkel’ in it.

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There is something so pristine and beautiful about the new fallen snow… apparently the animals think so too.

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I suppose the cold white stuff is a novelty for them, something they don’t see often… so it’s new, fun, and refreshing as they walk through the cool stuff. Like a new toy, it’s invigorating and exciting. Whatever it is… it’s a pleasure to see happiness at any time or place. Bring it on.

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Twin Fawns

Posted on October 6, 2019October 6, 2019 by kritterspaw

I wrote about the ‘Late Arrival’ of a small fawn with spots, our first we have seen of the year, back here… https://kritterspaw.com/2019/09/12/late-arrival/

That was month ago. Fast forward to this past week, first week of October, and we were entertained by these fantastic little cuties.

At first, I was delighted to see just one little spotted gem… then, came another; the spots along their back almost identical.

This precious couple laid down beside each other and cuddled and ‘fawned’ over one another like baby new borns.

They rested as their momma grazed, and relished in their environment and their natural surrounds.

It was such a tremendous joy and gift to see this special sight.

What a treat!

The calm before the storm

Posted on March 10, 2019March 10, 2019 by kritterspaw

Now that our snow is all melted, and soaking into our forest… it’s time for some more. We are forecast to get snow for the next 3 days. Never knowing quite what to expect, irregardless of the forecasts, we prepare ourselves for what might come.

While some might stock up on groceries, gasoline for vehicles or generators, or perhaps ready the snowplows…. we see it as an opportunity to see if we can catch some animals in transit.

Animals can sense when a storm is afoot better than any Harvard grad. They tend to move around during a storm… so we set out to see if we could catch some animals.

Unfortunately, it was pretty slim pickin’s out there. But it made for a fun morning outing nonetheless. Bring on the snow.

Twin Bucks

Posted on December 29, 2018January 17, 2019 by kritterspaw

We have been getting some much needed snow fall this week… just in time for Christmas. It’s hasn’t amounted to much accumulation, but we’ll take what we can get.

The snow has brought in this pair of twin bucks, who are just, pardon the pun, endeering.

They have brought a smaller little buck with them, and they seem to be hanging out together in their own little pack.

The little one has smaller antlers, but is definitely a new buck… and just as cute.

He seemed to be enjoying his first snow and the wonder of this cool white stuff dropping from the sky.

We so enjoyed their visit.

It’s A Boy

Posted on October 13, 2018November 16, 2018 by kritterspaw

If you remember a post I did a little while back about Pat’s Fawn (https://kritterspix.com/2018/09/17/pats-fawn/), we’ve been fortunate enough to see it a few times and kinda watch it grow up, which has been a real joy. It’s starting to loose it’s spots.

But it’s still playful and skittish… and wonderfully fun to watch. Mom still dotes on her… except, apparently it’s a him.

I caught a glimpse of a little bump on his head where his antlers will be soon.

We can still call him Spots though, right?!

Pat’s Fawn

Posted on September 17, 2018September 17, 2018 by kritterspaw

My neighbor and friend, Pat, saw this little fawn when it was first born… maybe hours old. It was the tiniest thing… so we have been watching out for it, hoping it would survive the wild.

With a lot of support and love from its doting mom, it seems to be a happy, healthy little one.

Two Bucks

Posted on August 22, 2018August 22, 2018 by kritterspaw

You’ve heard of giving your two cents worth… well, here are my two bucks worth!

Sorry… just couldn’t help myself. Ha!

This one buck, we call ‘Slash’ had what looked like a deep cut, slash, ripped into his back. The other buck seemed to be lovingly watching over him. It checked out to the right… and to the left, before alerting Slash to proceed in that direction. Slash’s caretaker would rub along his healing cut, and nose him repeatedly. Maybe they are brothers.. or just good friends. We should all have such a great friend to help get us through our difficult times, particularly in the wild, where it can get quite ‘dicey’ with lots of predators out there!

Leave room to Run

Posted on February 21, 2018February 21, 2018 by kritterspaw

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While I like the action in this photo, as this buck was spooked. It is not a great photo because it is too constrained. It is instead, a perfect example for what not to do. I have left no room for the buck to run. Since I cut off the action, the viewer is left to wonder what spooked him… or where he is going. It lacks that sense of place.

A better photo that shows a sense of place, and includes the subject (my buck) and his environment – the forest and trees. One where the subject is looking at you, and it’s eyes sharp are a bonus. Having the subject well lit, and not in the shadows help to draw the eye to your subject…. albeit often hard to get everything to line up, particularly when working in the wild.

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Working in the Blind

Posted on December 7, 2017January 17, 2018 by kritterspaw

It’s funny, when working in a blind, trying to get that elusive photo of animals in their natural environment, one notices everything…. the loud whir of your AutoFocus motor you never noticed before, the deafening shutter click that alerts the animals to your presence, and the bitter cold that bites through you at dusk when the animals come in.

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But, if one is lucky, the photos that might result make the discomfort all worth the while, particularly to be able to capture photos of animals from a ‘ground level’ perspective.

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Elklings

Posted on October 25, 2017 by kritterspaw

elk yearling _IR.jpg

First it was the deer, now the elk. We love the return of the animals. It has been so dry. No rain in the past or foreseeable future. The weather is unpredictably warm. Our plants and animals are confused beyond measure. Bees are swarming late… baby animals are appearing late… and wild birds, normally migrated, are looking for food.

elk deer_IR.jpg

Winter must be near… but the weather gods aren’t cooperating. Maybe next week. In the meantime, the animals are trying to fill up on whatever food and water they can get their mouths on…. including having elk and deer in the same space.

We’ll enjoy what we get… when we get it.