A fresh one from just this morning. It will be another week or two before fawns arrive and the adult deer are looking a bit rough as they shed their winter coats so I haven’t photographed deer much lately. However, this handsome fellow looked kind of cool in the early morning light with his new antlers coming in nicely. Plus, he gave me a nice smile. 😉
Coyote sends a deer flying
Well, if you ever wanted to make a deer fly, just have a coyote surprise it and run by. 😉
While photographing with a friend, I spotted this coyote standing below us down a hill, looking right up at us. No sooner did I spot it then it took off running on the opposite side of the drainage.
As I snapped pictures and it crested the other side, it surprised a white-tailed deer doe, sending the deer running scared. As you can tell though, the coyote was pretty oblivious to the deer’s presence, more interested in escaping the view of the shutterbugs. It made for a fun, unique capture for sure.
Coyote antagonizes herd of deer
This was a very fun bit of action to witness. Coyotes aren’t big enough to take down a full-size deer alone but that doesn’t mean they won’t test the waters, perhaps hoping to weed out a weak member of a herd.
As I watched, this coyote began stalking the herd, something the deer were very much aware of. As it grew closer, the deer gathered in a circle, no doubt a “strength in numbers” thought process. One deer then two more, separated and went out to confront the canine, more than once charging at it sending the coyote running. Eventually the coyote realized an easy meal was not to be had and moved on.
The whole interaction was fascinating to watch and a great example of the predator versus prey drama that plays out in nature. The images do fall under the category “content over quality” as these guys were a long ways off so the pics are heavily cropped and not the best quality. Nevertheless, I wanted to share the action as I captured it and it makes for a great story.
Mule deer buck holds onto his rack, follows the ladies
Let’s call this Mulie Monday!
This big boy is one of the stars of the show at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. While his antlers don’t have a particularly large breadth, they are extraordinarily thick and definitely make him a fun one to photograph.
While rut is over, he was still quite interested in the does this past weekend, sticking close to two particular ladies. In the coming weeks, he will shed those antlers and then immediately start growing a new set in preparation for next fall.
Mule deer buck gives a smile
No, not really a smile but it kind of looks like it. The deer rut is pretty much over but there are still some lingering signs of it. I am still occasionally seeing some bucks sparring and in this case, see them sniffing the ladies.
This handsome brute is displaying the flehmen response, a curling of the lips and opening of the mouth that allows it to get a nice, big whiff of scents. It is much like you or I take a big whiff with our nose.
White-tailed deer buck stands tall and proud
This guy sure appeared to be pretty full of himself. 😉 Taken a couple of weeks ago, he was on the move, looking for the ladies as the rut continued.
White-tailed deer are North America’s smallest deer. They are very fleet-footed, capable of speeds up to 30mph and able to leap as high as 10 feet and as far as 30 feet in a single bound. Taken at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge near Denver, Colorado.
“Hey, watch where you stick those things!”
Two young white-tailed deer bucks were doing some sparring when one decided he had enough. The other took advantage of the situation, giving his playmate a poke right in the side. From the look on the recipient’s face, that got his attention. 😉
Brute of a mule deer buck poses in the early morning light
Check out this stud! He was large and in charge and definitely seemed to know it. No other bucks were willing to challenge him for the affections of the does he had gathered around and it is pretty clear why. He is in his prime, all buffed up and a nice rack to help fend off any interlopers.
The deer rut is at its height now although the unusually warm weather here on the Colorado Front Range seems to have kept things quieter than normal.
“Hey, baby. Come here often?”
The deer rut is getting ramped up on the Colorado plains and I saw many signs of it yesterday. The bucks are clearly becoming very interested in the does, following them around and doing some light sparring with each other.
This good-looking white-tailed deer buck had his eye on the pretty lady, staying right near her. Here he gives her a bit of an amorous look while she looks away, perhaps playing hard to get. 😉
Mule deer buck gives a smile
This was one happy guy! Well, or it could just be that I caught him mid chomp as he was eating but let’s pretend. 😉
My photo outing Saturday wasn’t as eventful as I had hoped but there were a few cool creatures to take pictures of, including this guy.
I did see some signs of the rut with a few battles between bucks off in the distance but none close enough to get decent pics. Hopefully I can get some captures of them going head-to-head before the season is over.
