Saturday, May 8, 2010

Camera Critters: A Young Buck Grows Antlers

Here in Pennsylvania, whitetail buck's antler growth accelerates rapidly in early May .  This is the same animal that was posted for Camera Critters last week.

Antler Growth Accelerates In May

Look carefully at the close-up shot of the left antler in the following photograph and note how the antler is starting to fork(the slight dip in the center indicates that the antler will grow in each direction from that divide-one will be the main beam the other the brow point).  It will be interesting to see how soon this becomes a well defined point.  This buck should make at least a six-point and will likely grow eight or more points.

A Point Develops


For more Camera Critters Photos, Click Here!

23 comments:

Kerri Farley said...

Super captures Willard!! I've missed visiting your blog ~ hope to catch up with some of your latest posts!!

Verna Luga said...

very gorgeous creature .... love it!

Cats and Women

Bradley Hsi said...

That point just coming is one of the most precious Chinese medicine!!

Snap said...

WOW, Willard ... what wonderful photos! Amazing!

eileeninmd said...

Awesome shots of the whitetail!

SaraG said...

AWESOME photo's Willard! It is amazing how the antlers grow!!
Take care and enjoy your weekend

Tina said...

aww i never even thought about the young ones having to grow their horns. maybe i thought they were born fully grown. silly me lol

My entry is at my Mummy Diaries blog. Hope you can stop by :)

EG CameraGirl said...

I think it's amazing how close in you get to the bucks. They must really trust you!

A Garden of Threads said...

Wonderful shot.

Anonymous said...

Great shots! What camera lens do you use (what focal length) to capture these photographs?

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

Isn't he lovely. Thanks for explaning the antlers. Did not know that. Valerie

DeniseinVA said...

A great lesson in antler development and fantastic photos of a very beautiful animal.

Anonymous said...

Amazing photos! Great detail. It looks as if his tongue is sticking out a bit in the first photo. So cute.

Anonymous said...

What fantastic shots! I love the detail.

V.L. Locey said...

Great shots Willard!

Gemma Wiseman said...

Stunmning profile of the buck! The soft brown eyes are enchanting! And enjoyed the information about the growth of antlers!

Misty DawnS said...

This is so cool! It's so wonderful how you get to document these happenings in nature.

Willard said...

These photos were taken with the Canon 40D and 28-135mm IS lens.

syam said...

wonderful details....excellent catch

Brad Myers said...

Good shots Willard, with that lens you were using the buck must have been setting in your lap.

Your site is really giving me the itch to get out and photograph big game. Now to find the time and location to go.

Daniela said...

Beautiful captured and i love the close-up.

Peggy said...

You always bring home the close ups! I love seeing the details of what you are educating us about!

Anonymous said...

I think this whole horn growing process is amazing. I know that cow horns have to be sawed off or cut off. These fall off, more or less, I think.