Saturday, May 2, 2009

Whitetail Antler Development: Camera Critters



While the pedicels are visible on the mature bucks throughout the winter and early spring, there is little significant growth until now. This two year old shows promise and should develop into an eight-point or more with a beautiful spread. (He was a three-point last year)

Why Is He Pointing That Thing At Me?

Most bucks disperse from their home range or are killed in their first autumn with antlers. Luckily this animal was not a legal buck except for junior hunters and he did not disperse so he is still with the local herd. It is unlikely that he will remain through the summer, but time will tell.

Chow Time

A deer divides their time between eating and resting at this time of year as the rut and hunting seasons are over, and the fawns have not yet been born.

Boy That Feels Good!

For more Camera Crittters photographs, click Here!

16 comments:

Norm said...

pretty face! looks sweet and friendly animal..

kayleen said...

Beautiful photos. They are such pretty animals.

Nebraska Birding

Unknown said...

Very nice shots !!

I really like that first one... such a sweet face..

Snap said...

I love deer. Thanks!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Willard: Excellant photography in the wild. I can't believe you got that down position, no wonder they can disapear in a field.
BTW: I do hope that my buck gets 8 points and does return for another photo shoot.

DrowseyMonkey-Photos said...

That last photo is so sweet :)

Love them all - they are such beautiful animals.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

A lovely post Willard. Love the last pic. :)

Minie said...

wow he's enjoying his chow and siesta.

Indrani said...

How lovely it looks, the eyes are most captivating.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Just outstanding images. Their faces are really so sweet.

Anonymous said...

Excellent whitetail photos, Willard. The last one is priceless.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photographs, Willard. I like the one of the deer in the grass. I bet it does feel good. The squirrels will even lay like that.

EG CameraGirl said...

I didn't realize a buck goes from three points in the second year to eight in its third. The antlers must feel very heavy when they first grow out! Maybe that's another reason they feel lazy. ;-)

Beautiful shots!

Ranger said...

Nice shots bud. I can't wait till things start moving along and get some good buck pics.

The Birdlady said...

Cute little boys. The expression on the first one is priceless!

Ken Conger Photography said...

Nice series. Be interesting if you could follow this guy through the season and watch the antler growth. Blue Skies.