Saturday, November 7, 2009

A Morning At Shenandoah National Park

Few things are better for the photographer that is fascinated with the Whitetail deer, than a trip to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. My brother Coy and I traveled there Friday, for a morning photo shoot.

Dawn found a beautiful 8 point and a doe standing on the skyline in Big Meadows. A strong, cold wind was blowing and it was brutal out there, but what is a whitetail addict to do but face the elements and get into action.

Shenandoah Dawn: Canon 40D 70-200mm F2.8

It is best to not focus exclusively on the meadow, as many times one may find excellent opportunities while traveling on the Skyline Drive. In this case we spotted one of the largest bucks I have yet photographed as he was working the woods by the side of the drive in search of does.

Shenandoah Monster: Canon 40D 70-200mm F2.8

Later in the morning, we saw a buck breed a doe far away in the meadow with no chance to photograph the event. Later we found the deer had moved closer to the roadway and we parked the vehicle and spent some quality photographic time with them.

8 Point Buck And Doe At Big Meadows: Canon 40-D 70-200mm F2.8


8 Point Buck At Big Meadows: Canon 7D-500mm F4

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11 comments:

Dina said...

You brothers had a good day. Deer are so beautiful.

imac said...

Great day for photographs from you Willard and your brother Coy.

Holly said...

love that last shot. Good times, huh?

eileeninmd said...

They are all wonderful shots, I really love the first one though.

Oskar said...

Very majestic looking deer. I'm glad that you shot with a camera and not a gun.

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

What a beautiful morning it was.

Heather said...

Breathtaking! My husband took me to Shenendoah a few weeks ago and they must have prepping for the rut because we didn't see a single whitetail on the entire Skyline Drive! We had the babies with us so we couldn't get out and wander, maybe we will have better luck next year!

Rechie said...

ohh..so lovely photos of the wild...

Brad Myers said...

What beautiful animals. That first buck with his large rack and big neck must have been something to see.

Save some for me, Brad.

Calico Crazy said...

Fabulous captures of a magnificent animal. I particularly like the first and second ones. ~ Calico Contemplations

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Willard: They sure have some great bucks in that area.