Deer herd 10/24/10
The past couple of weeks have brought the local deer herd to our backyard just about every evening. I usually try to take pictures because every time is different. For the most part, the herd is pretty docile (as long as you do not get too close). Every once in a while, one of our cats will try to sneak out but they either ignore him or make a move to startle him back into the house. I have never been able to capture good video although it is humorous to watch!
Deer herd 10/25/10
It seems that I can never capture the entire herd in one shot. They will all group together and when I appear with my camera, several will walk out of the shot.
I met one of them up close and personal one day when I opened the garage door to one standing inches from me. I started to “yelp” but then realized that was probably a very bad idea. I just froze, as did the deer. We stared at each other for what seemed like several minutes (probably only several seconds) before she calmly walked over to the grass in the yard so that I could pull out of the garage.
elder buck, young buck (upper right)
Typically, the buck does not hang around too close to the females. He is usually nearby and often within visual range (although not always). Today, I saw a different buck standing solo in the backyard. He was young as his antlers were still “fuzzy” and had only a couple of “points” on them (as if I know what I am talking about). The remainder of the herd approached and he just stood there and watched. THEN, the buck arrived. I thought for sure that they were going to have some sort of “discussion” right there in the backyard but it soon became obvious that the elder did not consider the young one a threat (or even worth acknowledging). (sorry the picture is a bit blurry, photos taken at dusk rarely come out well)