Camera Critters #295

Every year for the last 15 or so years, I have spent Thanksgiving day with a friend of mine.  Several years ago, he moved into the mountains north of where he lives.

Before dinner was ready, I decided to explore the 166 acres of land he owns.

It didn't take long to locate a resting Mule Deer buck.  It was a small forked horn, but he was in the sun and looked totally relaxed.  Using a tree for cover and being as quiet as possible, I got as close as I could and snapped off this shot.

He didn't move a muscle or twitch an ear.  So I decided I would see if I could get closer.  I stepped out from the cover of the tree and took two steps when the buck's head turned slightly and the left eyelid slightly opened.

I froze at that moment.  I was 30, maybe 35 feet away from the buck and I knew he was sizing me up through that slightly opened eyelid.  He then slowly stood up, looked at with both eyes wide opened and started walking away toward a group of a dozen or so does off to my left.

He didn't run...just slowly walked away...but the entire time, he kept his eyes on me.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters the world over.  Go to the home page here to see more.  Then add your own photo and join the fun.

Camera Critters #294

I still haven't felt good enough to wander the high desert in search of interesting critters, but luckily, my backyard does have a few now and then.

Lesser Goldfinches still visit my apple tree.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters the world over.  Go to the home page here to see more.  Then add you own photo and join the fun.

Camera Critters #293

I have been suffering from a bout of pneumonia this past week or so and haven't been able to get out to get any new images.

So I hope you enjoy this photo of a Ruby-crowned Kinglet I shot a few weeks ago.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters the world over.  Go to the home page here to see more.  Then add your own photo and join the fun.

Camera Critters #292

A couple of years ago, I added the California Ground Squirrel to my list of mammals seen and photographed.  Since then I have seen the squirrel in a variety of places, and as I attempted to once again photograph the critter, it always dove into a nearby hole before I could press the shutter.

Until Friday.  8v)

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is s a great way to see critters the world over.  Go to the home page here to see more.  Then add your own photo and join the fun.

Camera Critters #291

Dark-eyed Juncos are a common sight here.  Most of what I see is the "Oregon Junco" variety.  It breeds in the western coastal states from California to Alaska.  Locally, the bird is known at "The Snow Bird."

The Oregon Junco variety differs from the rest of the Dark-eyed Juncos by having a chestnut colored back and rusty colored sides.

As this photo shows, it helps the bird blend in well with the autumn surroundings.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is s a great way to see critters the world over.  Go to the home page here to see more.  Then add your own photo and join the fun.