Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Whitetail Buck and Turkey Gobbler

The whitetail rut continues here in Pennsylvania. I expected activity to be very intense this week as a good shot of cold weather usually sends the rut into overdrive, but such has not been the case. I did manage to capture this small four-point on Sunday morning when he challenged a small spike quite near to my photographic outpost. I would have liked to have the entire rack in the photograph, but that was all I could get in with the 500mm F4 so it is obvious that the deer was very close. Notice the intimidating look in his eye and how his hair is fluffed.

Canon 30-D: 500mmF4- 1 1/2 year old whitetail buck

We had our first light snowfall of the season on Wednesday night, a minuscule amount actually, but that combined with a heavy frost made a stunning backdrop for this mature Eastern Wild Turkey Gobbler to pose against at sunrise on Tuesday morning.

Canon 30-D: 500mmF4- Mature Eastern Wild Turkey Gobbler

It has been in the low 20s in the mornings, but the wind chill factor makes it feel much worse. It seems that one is more likely to see wildlife once the sun hits the meadows in this type of weather.

11 comments:

Shelley said...

Enjoyed both of these!

gina said...

both are very nice...i like the icy look in the turkey shoot...and that young buck is just pretty. i'm so glad you hunt wildlife this way. :)

Brad Myers said...

Great shots Willard. That bird has a nice beard on him. Another cold weekend coming up, good luck.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Willard: What great captures of the little buck and the big gobbler.

I have an award on my site for you if you do those things.

EG CameraGirl said...

What a handsome young deer, even if he does have an intimidating look on his face. He looks like he'll be a force to reckon with in the next few years.

Thanksgiving in the U.S. must be close, eh? Doesn't that turkey realize he needs to run for cover?

Anonymous said...

Golly, Willard, that Turkey is perfect. I really like it. I also like the young buck. Both are nice shots.

The Birdlady said...

Great post! That turkey had better get moving!

Willard said...

That turkey is lucky. Pennsylvania's turkey season is over and he made if safely through, so he shouldn't have to worry about being someone's Thanksgiving dinner.

Gretchen said...

You always have such wonderful photos on here!

lv2scpbk said...

I really like the buck photo especially the whiskers around the chin and mouth.

Ray Creations said...

very nice shot, first one is really awesome.
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