Let there be snow

Finally, a REAL snowstorm! We got over a foot of snow. It clung to the trees and weighed down her heavy branches, coated the forest, and drifted along the roads. There is something so beautiful about fresh fallen snow.

The animals came out to enjoy the cool, refreshing white powder. As did we, following animal tracks and plowing new ground along our unplowed roads.

The accompanying wind blew snow in every direction as the storm took hold and wouldn’t let up.

By the next day, we had some real accumulation and forecasts for more. Bring it on! We can use all we can get, as the snow feeds our animals, our forest and her trees, and our rivers and lakes. Without it, our environment and animals are at risk. Let it snow!

For more snow pix, check out my post here … https://kritterspaw.com/2023/01/05/dr-seuss-trees/

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Photography is like Golf

Photography is like golf, or any sport or hobby for that matter. You know, when you get that really great drive, perfect putt, or if you’re so lucky the coveted hole-in-one. It’s euphoric, and keeps you coming back for more.

That’s how I feel when I get that great shot. We go out every time it snows, looking for animals, hoping for that great encounter to capture.

With over 2′ of snow, we were hopeful that the ‘day after’ would bring the animals out foraging for food. We even saw a fleeting bobcat, but alas, didn’t get a photo. Darn!

But we did manage to see elk and deer. It makes me want to go out again! Bring on more snow.

First Snow

We got our first snow of the new year… woohoo. We were happy to get about 6″ overnight.

So we went out looking for animals, hoping to get some snow animal pix… and we weren’t disappointed.

We encountered a large herd of elk lounging around the falling snow.

We also saw a buck foraging in the snow.

… and were thrilled to find some big horn sheep.

I guess what they say is true, you have to seek to find. I’m so glad we ventured out and found animals enjoying the new snow.

See more animal / snow pix here… https://kritterspaw.com/2022/01/02/weather-promises/

Best of 2020 – Animals

I like to review my year’s photos to consolidate the best of the year.

I posted my Best of 2020 – Landscape photos here… https://kritterspaw.com/2021/01/12/best-of-2020-landscape/. Now it’s time to review my animal pix. It was a good year for animals, as we saw a lot of different types.

Big Horn Sheep

We were lucky enough to see this beautiful herd of big horn sheep as we left Alstrom Point. We saw the herd in the distance, so drove ahead of them, and I walked out behind a rock to see if I could sneak up on them. I’m not sure who was more surprised when we saw each other as I crotched down from behind a ridge – me or them. It was a fantastic moment.

Coyote

Admittedly, I am not a big fan of coyote. They are scavengers and corral & hunt my precious deer and elk. So I’m just as happy not to see any. But I did this year, and got a decent photo that makes the cut.

Kit Fox

We don’t see many fox, so I was thrilled when we saw this pup this year. So cool!

Deer Fawn

All babies are cute, especially the 4 legged animal variety!

Javelina

Speaking of babies… it was super cute to get so see this affectionate family of javelina with new born babe.

Elk baby

And elk baby, or calf.

Elk bull

The next best thing to new animals (at least for us), or baby animals, are those big boys… elk bulls

Deer Buck

and bucks…

The cuter and better expression, the better!

Chipmunk

I got a ton of chipmunk pix this year, they were just too darn cute.

Deer Doe and fawn

And finally, pretty much any animal in the snow. Just wish we had more of it!

The Bucks Have It

While I love when we see any animals, the most coveted are the most unique and least often seen. Big animals, boys (bucks and bulls), and babies bring the most attention due to their illusiveness.

Aside from that, gestures and action, garner more interest, like this floppy eared buck.

I try to capture their personality and individualism in their environment to share.

These animals are here and gone, so it’s important to me to make their moment shine. I keep telling ’em, smile pretty for the camera – sometimes they actually listen.

Snow Critters

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

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With it, brought animals looking for food.

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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

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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.

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

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

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

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

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What a treat!

The calm before the storm

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

Twin Bucks

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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.

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

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

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

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We so enjoyed their visit.

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