I am a hunter — but not the type who shoots to eat; I shoot to admire (and do so with a camera).
However, if you want to understand some aspects of animal behaviour, you might consider hanging out with those who do shoot to eat. They see and track a great deal.
Over a week ago, in the midst of the outrageous hot spell (mid to high 30s), I posted a picture of a Steller’s Jay supposedly complaining about the temperature. Karen Pidcock then asked: “How do you think the wild creatures are holding up in this heat?” I didn’t know.
An internet search revealed that those who shoot to eat believe that deer hide in the shade rather than move about when the temperature is high. Indeed, I saw none during that hot spell. Yet now, with temperatures in the mid 20s, I saw three deer, and a more secretive male was seen twice. So, it seems, the deer are moving again.
A male white-tailed deer looks at me over his shoulder. As his antler development seems a bit late for July, he is probably a (first year) spike deer.
What a lovely photo! Majestic like in appearance! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Alistair
This image is fairly dripping with a sense of real engagement. A definite keeper!
Those eyes!
I wish I had such long eyelashes! Such a handsome lad, and I’ve taken closeups of deer whose tongues show too. Thanks, as ever, for your post!
Alistair, the immaculate details of hirsute features in this portrait is remarkable! You must be very pleased with this one.
During the summer months one often sees mule deer bedded down on alpine ridges, enjoying the cooler air and (comparative) lack of annoying bugs. In days gone by I was occasionally lucky enough to see small groups of caribou lounging at the ridge tops on patches of snow.