Young White-Tailed Deer

[SCraig]

I was walking around one of my bird photography spots this morning; cold and thinking of a nice hot cup of coffee. I looked up and about 25' away from me a young White-Tailed Deer was grazing alongside the roadway. I looked at him, he looked at me, decided I wasn't a threat and went back to grazing. I spent several minutes taking shots of him and he didn't seem the least bit concerned about me being that close to him.

#1 - Uncropped at 150mm; focus distance was 4.47 meters!

#2 - Also at 150mm but cropped slightly.

 

[oldhippy]

Spot on. Good job.

 

[DarkShadow]

Awe. I agree,Spot On. Great job Scott. :thumbup: So sharp I am looking for deer ticks.

 

[Warhorse]

Great shots of a fine specimen, very beautiful animal.

 

[AlanKlein117 6]

Awe. I agree,Spot On. Great job Scott. :thumbup: So sharp I am looking for deer ticks.

Exactly what I was feeling. I started scratching.

 

[SCraig]

Thanks guys. He was really a cutie. Very young, probably born early this winter so most likely no ticks yet I remember back in late fall I saw some newborn fawns at this area so it's very possible that this is one of them. Here's another shot that shows how young he is:

He was on top of a ridge along side a roadway, mom and dad were down in the hollow grazing. I wasn't real sure what I was going to do if mom decided I was to close to her little one and came charging up the hill.

 

[BillM]

Great shots, love that second one :thumbup:

 

[robbins.photo]

Awesome shots as always Scott. So, venison sausage on the menu anytime soon? Lol

 

[SCraig]

Thanks, Bill and Robbins!

No, no venison on the menu any time soon. This particular area fines people $250 for daring to stray off the trails so there is no telling what they would do if someone dared to even bring a gun onsite.

It's funny though: I used to hunt deer with a rifle. The whole time I did I never, ever, even so much as saw one. Not one single time. The last time I went, 30+ years ago, a friend came over to my house one bitter cold, rainy morning and we went across the road on my neighbor's property. Didn't see a thing, as usual, and came back home cold and wet and tired. I changed clothes and came back in the living room to find my friend cussing a blue streak. I asked what was wrong and he just said "LOOK!" There were 4 deer grazing in my front yard. That was it for me. No way I'm going to hunt something that much smarter than I am. I stuck with a camera from that day forward

 

[robbins.photo]

Thanks, Bill and Robbins!

No, no venison on the menu any time soon. This particular area fines people $250 for daring to stray off the trails so there is no telling what they would do if someone dared to even bring a gun onsite.

It's funny though: I used to hunt deer with a rifle. The whole time I did I never, ever, even so much as saw one. Not one single time. The last time I went, 30+ years ago, a friend came over to my house one bitter cold, rainy morning and we went across the road on my neighbor's property. Didn't see a thing, as usual, and came back home cold and wet and tired. I changed clothes and came back in the living room to find my friend cussing a blue streak. I asked what was wrong and he just said "LOOK!" There were 4 deer grazing in my front yard. That was it for me. No way I'm going to hunt something that much smarter than I am. I stuck with a camera from that day forward

Lol.. yup.. have to admit that's pretty close to my experience too. When I carried a gun around I'd never see one either. Once I switched to a camera I started actually being able to find them and get close enough on occasion for a shot or two. Of the two really I much prefer the camera - it's a whole lot less hassle and I can get summer sausage at walmart dirt cheap.. lol.

 

[sm4him]

Beautiful!
I'm guessing that was at Radnor? At first, I wondered if it was the same deer that came so close to me, but this one is much smaller and younger than the one that got that close to me.

 

[SCraig]

Lol.. yup.. have to admit that's pretty close to my experience too. When I carried a gun around I'd never see one either. Once I switched to a camera I started actually being able to find them and get close enough on occasion for a shot or two. Of the two really I much prefer the camera - it's a whole lot less hassle and I can get summer sausage at walmart dirt cheap.. lol.

Plus I don't feel compelled to spend a couple of hours cleaning my camera when I get home!

I finally came to the conclusion that I just enjoy getting out and walking in the woods. I realized that I didn't really care about hunting, only the outdoors. Most of the time these days I take my camera, sometimes I just go and walk around. Either way it's enjoyable to me.

Beautiful!
I'm guessing that was at Radnor? At first, I wondered if it was the same deer that came so close to me, but this one is much smaller and younger than the one that got that close to me.

It was at Radnor. On the gravel road just up from that building with the chairs on the porch.

Radnor has 1,200 acres and the place is literally infested with deer that roam freely everywhere. One morning a couple of years ago I counted 35 just walking around. This morning I only saw 7 but I did see a Coyote or Fox as well I just got a quick glimpse of it so I'm not sure which.

 

[Warhorse]

I like deer hunting, but it is more about getting out in the woods, and having quiet solitude.

I love venison, but I do not get a deer every year.

 

[SCraig]

I like deer hunting, but it is more about getting out in the woods, and having quiet solitude.

I love venison, but I do not get a deer every year.

I agree, however this particular area is far from quiet. There are usually several dozen people walking around, frequently with kids yelling or dogs barking. I have another place I go to when I just want peace and quiet because there are usually very few people there.

I can't really explain it, I think people either understand why we like to walk in the woods or they don't. Not much middle ground. During the week I'm normally at the office by 6:00 even though I don't have to be. On the weekends I'm normally in a Waffle House at 6:00 and watching the sun come up in the woods an hour later. It's just something I enjoy doing so I'll keep doing it while I can.