Saturday, July 3, 2010

Camera Critters: Summer Mornings

The Pennsylvania backcountry is a wonderful place to spend a beautiful summer morning, with activity beginning as day breaks and often continuing until well after sunrise.

A Young Whitetail Buck Pauses From Feeding

A Crow Surveys The Countryside For Danger
 It is always a special thrill to see the fawns and Friday morning was especially rewarding when one of the does brought twins to the meadow.  I had seen her several times with only one fawn with her, but I strongly suspected that she had twins.  Does keep the young fawns hidden as much as possible for the first few weeks of their lives and they attempt to keep them hidden in separate spots to lessen the chances of a predator killing both in one encounter.  Most fawn mortality seems to be from natural causes, or predation by black bears, coyotes, and bobcats.

One Of The Twins
While both of the fawns were present, I only got a decent photograph of one as they were so frisky that they were darting in and out of the sunlight.  It was frustrating as one would see a beautiful composition, but the fawn would move before the camera could be positioned.  Hopefully I will be able to photograph them both together in the future.

For more Camera Critter photographs, Click Here!

17 comments:

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Maybe you only got one fawn,but this picture is exceptionally lovely.The young buck is quite handsome as well.
Blessings,Ruth

eileeninmd said...

Great shots, that last shot is awesome. Adorable fawn!

cat said...

Absolutely stunning shots. The one of the fawn is excellent.

Dina said...

Your giant bulls in previous posts are magnificent, but there is nothing as sweet as a fawn like this.

Snap said...

Just amazing ... all of them. Thank you!

Hootin Anni said...

I am truly in awe of the last photo...the lighting in the picture is just superb.

My CC---She's not a NINJA turtle!! I do hope you can stop by to visit with me.

Have a great weekend.

Carletta said...

Do I have to tell you it would be amazing to be in your shoes for one day. :)
Love the cute fawn image!

(Carletta's Captures)

Andree said...

How gorgeous! The buck and fawn look very healthy and plump. Your photography is simply awesome.

http://meeyauw.blogspot.com/2010/07/camera-critters-117-tractor-chicken.html

Adrienne Zwart said...

Love the fawn photo! We have twins this year, too, but I've yet to get a good photo of them.

Kritter Keeper at Farm Tails said...

if i knew where or how...i would nominate you as best outdoor photographer! daddy loved the 'watch' crow as he called them and has funny stories about them during his hunting days...brownie finally gave birth today!! tried to find her babies ( i know, totally selfish but she didn't care and knew i would be unsuccessful) and managed to frighten poor little 'clover' another three week old fawn. i left the woods after that...take care willard!

Kritter Keeper at Farm Tails said...

oh, and that yearling buck is very fat! mine don't put on that kind of weight until they are older. can you believe my little 'buttons' has three points on one side and 2 on the other? he was born last july....

Anonymous said...

Very nice animals, Willard. I love them and would be no good living close to them as I would be painting them to look like Holstein milk cows every hunting season. You sure got what it takes to get great pictures and I am always glad to see them.

Peggy said...

Well this photo of one of the fawns is awesome! I love it! Great encounter!

Michele said...

Oooh... the fawn is so sweet. If only I had the gear and patience and skills as you to photograph them. We see them but all I can do is watch them walk along the hillsides. You bring them to life by capturing them in pictures! Amazing!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Willard: Beautiful capture of the deer, love the fawn capture. I had a mother with two fawns in the yard on Wednesday morning.

EG CameraGirl said...

Your photos are always a pleasure to see even if they aren't exactly what you'd planned because the fawns were feeling frisky. :)

Anonymous said...

Wonderful photos, Willard. I love to see spotted fawns, but most of them are only in photos. Beautiful!