When the bottom drops out of the thermometer, the creatures of the great outdoors face a bitter struggle for survival. This is a time of year that is especially difficult for the very young and the old. In some years there is a significant die-off of whitetail deer in our area. Recent winters have been relatively mild with little mortality, but this one has the potential to cause problems if the cold continues and heavy snowfalls follow.
The Young Are Especially VulnerableWhile deer avoid the bright sun as much as possible in mid-day during warm weather, they prefer sunny spots, which are sheltered from the wind in winter. Deer also may fluff their hair to give it greater insulating quality.
23 comments:
Incredible adorable images. I envy you the work you do.
I learned something new again - didn't know they fluffed their hair.
Wonderful shots! I'll be posting some more of mine next week. I got a new camera from Christmas and oh, the closeups. It's exciting.
We had some bitter cold temps here now for almost 3 weeks and we have a HUGE mule deer population... temps as low as -35 C (-31 F) and did not notice where they had gone. Did see some gather in the local farmers fields laying in the snow, usually huddled together but not as many...
I hope I will see them again soon... it's starting to warm up nicely so hopefully they will be back out again...
Your photos are amazing!
Great shots, Willard.
It appears to me that the winter coats of many whitetails are darker -- almost gray instead of tan. Is this the case? Or, is it just some sort of optical illusion caused by the seeing the fluffed coats on an overcast day? Thanks.
This winter is a scary one for wildlife. It has been sooooo cold and it started in November so promises to be a long one.
Beaitiful photos, Willard.
Wow Willard....these are fabulous shots! We had COLD weather yesterday...but it didn't last long. I did notice that the birds were out and about in full force yesterday and today.....I wonder if that means we have some bad weather coming up.
Willard: Wonderful captures of the deer, you had to brave the weather to get them. I haven't seen as many deer since the weather changed.
I like the new header, Willard.
They are cute and beautiful creatures. I hope they find a way to survive, but nature is nature. I don't always like it, but it's part of life.
It is colder than usual here, but no snow. Hope the deer are ok.
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Timely post. Super detail in the images. Blue Skies.
That first one looks like a Disney deer.
We have had negative temps in northern michigan all week and I'm refilling my bird feeders several times in a day. Looking at these beautiful and sweet looking deer is a treat!
I like these photographs, Willard. I never get to see these animals anymore but there was a time when I did. Long ago. LOLI have two new blogs to show you:
Dips Pen
Abraham Lincoln's Blog
Willard, these are wonderful images. I love the fuzzy winter coats, but also worry about the well being of the hurds.. one good thing about the cold is I have not seen the fleas on the rabbits, that has been a problem for the last few years..
Awesome images Willard. The first one is so cute and it was thoughful of you to get the whole face in focus
Beautiful deer shots my friend
Awesome photo's!!
Incredible shots of this young deer love the close ups well done !!
Interesting and beautiful shots Willard.Come take a look at my 1st Deer shoot, Ive got a long way to go to reach your 1st class posts.lol.
Willard:
I tagged you with a photo request today.
I guess it is true what they say about the survival of the fittest Willard. It seems such a pity in one way but I guess the strongest genes do breed stronger animals.
Just beautiful!
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