Camera Critters #297

A couple of weeks ago, I presented photos of a young buck Mule Deer I got on Thanksgiving Day.  One thing I failed to tell you about that day.

As I finished shooting the buck, I turned to head down the hillside and no more than 20 feet from me lay a doe Mule Deer.

She didn't pay me a bit of attention...never looked my way...never twitched an ear.  It was almost as if I was invisible to her.

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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.

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Camera Critters #256

Feb. 24, 2013 was a good day.  It was the first race of the season in the NASCAR racing circuit, and it was the birthday of a friend of mine.

I’ve been to his place in the mountains north of Prineville, Oregon, and each time I go there, I take my camera.  You never know what will show up wanting their photo taken.











And Mule Deer sure enjoyed the photo session.

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

Camera Critters #247

On Christmas Day, a friend of mine called and asked if I was doing anything and then invited me to spend the day with him and his family.

Knowing he lives in the Ochoco Mountains north of Prineville, Oregon, I said okay.  Before I headed out to his place, I checked my camera…charged batteries…empty SD card…good lens…spare batteries…all were okay and I was ready to go.

When I arrived at his place, the first thing I noticed was about a dozen Mule Deer eating out of some buckets around his house.  Naturally, the deer scattered as I got out of the vehicle, which was when I realized the two inches of snow I got 30 west of there and 2,000 feet lower, was nothing compared to the foot that had fallen at my friend’s place, and was still falling.

As I walked up to his door, I noticed a group of Dark-eyed Juncos in a nearby bush.  Of course, I raised my camera and began snapping away.  There wasn't much light at the time, but I was still able to get a photo of what is nicknamed, “Snow Birds.”



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

Camera Critters #233

It’s been a long time since I have seen a Wild Turkey.  Took a trip up into the Ochoco Mountains 35 miles east of here to find one.

I sure hope he knows it’s only the end of September.  He still has some time to fatten up.



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