Saturday, July 11, 2009

Camera Critters: Spots and Velvet: Summer Whitetails


Morning At The Meadow

There is nothing quite like an early summer morning at a backcountry meadow, with the song of birds filling the air. This provides a perfect backdrop against which to observe and photograph the whitetail deer.

The fawns are moving about more now and are seen more frequently, but are still not traveling with the does full time.

July 8th


The buck's antlers are growing rapidly and will reach their full potential soon. Later the tips will be more pointed, the antlers will harden, and the velvet will crack and fall off.

The following photos are of the same buck and show how much larger he grew in a period of slightly over a week.


June 27th


Notice the seventh point beginning to show at the tip of the right antler (It is just a small bump at the top of the wide part of the antler).

July 6th

For more Camera Critters photos click Here!

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos in a wonderful setting!

Dirkjogt said...

Great pictures, nice to see them growing

Carletta said...

Wonderful shots Willard!
I especially love the fawn as you probably know. My one little resident is also making more appearances. Not really close enough to get any good photos but I do love watching it run and play. :)
Hope you're having a good weekend.

Snap said...

Willard, just beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us.

Tom said...

These are some of the nicest shots I've seen Willard... awesome captures.

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Have a great weekend
Tom

Martha said...

Great capture of such majestic animals.


Camera Critters

Anonymous said...

wonderful shots, thanks for sharing.

Adrienne Zwart said...

I think I need to invest in a good telephoto lens. Your photos are so beautiful!

The doe and her fawns have been through on a couple occasions. So far, no photos good enough to post, but I keep hoping. Once, when I was weeding about a week ago, I looked up and saw one of the fawns watching me. No camera!

Oh well, I'll just keep watching for them, and in the meantime, I'll look at your photos! :)

said...

They are absolutely exquisite!

Vicki ~ FL said...

Beautiful pictures.....

SaraG said...

WOW, Willard, those are just awesome photo's!!
Take care and enjoy your weekend!

Susan Cook said...

Beautiful shots! Such up close views. I love it! Thank for sharing.

Kerri Farley said...

Fabulous Willard! I especially love the little fawn!!

Tulip said...

great captured of a beautiful deer and his horn growing.

southbrowneyes

Manz said...

Beautiful images of such a precious critter.

I've been absorbing these for the last 30 minutes - June 27th is my favorite! You've captured the most delicate features - I would love to feel those velvet antlers :)

mimi said...

she looks so stunning with her cute growing little horn.

Anonymous said...

Very nice photos, Willard. I like them all but the last one with the long whisker takes the cake.

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This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Willard: What a neat set of photos of the deer. I would like to have a buck in velvet visit.

Anonymous said...

Just returned to thank you for your visit and for the comment you left me there.
Gobsmacks

Leedra said...

As usual, you have some great captures here.

Brad Myers said...

Hello Willard, I have been catching up on you blog since I got home. The fawn photographs you posted on June 27th are just fantastic, what a wonderful time that must have been.

I will drop you an email on heading north sometime today.

Unknown said...

Beautiful captures Willard, the shot of the Fawn is awesome.

Carla said...

What marvelous photos!

The Birdlady said...

Stunning, as always. Looks like we won't get to look for the elk this year - my husband hurt his knee, so our wings are clipped for the time being.

Anonymous said...

Wow! sooooo pretty and lovely close-ups. Great shots!

sam

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Louise said...

LOVE July 8th.