28-AUG-2008
Generations...
I just love the way the deer families take care of the youngsters!
05-OCT-2008
Six weeks later!
The deer started coming in earlier this year, including several Bucks new to us. Some aren't very mature, but their antlers indicate more age. This appears to be the buck in velvet in the prior picture taken Aug 28th.
05-OCT-2008
Close-up
Close-ups help to see the antler formation. He would be what I call a seven point.
05-OCT-2008
Another young buck
This four point has been coming with the five point for a while now.
05-OCT-2008
Our two pals
They are generally together, and get along very well. They do spar sometimes, but I think they are playing or practicing.
23-OCT-2008
The four point
The deer have been around at least twice a day, but I haven't taken many pictures being preoccupied with the upcoming election.
31-OCT-2008
One of the Does
We have many Does and fawns in our herd.
31-OCT-2008
A three point?
We only saw this little one a couple of times.
31-OCT-2008
Harmony
I just wish the country (USA) would feel the same.
03-NOV-2008
A new four (five?) point buck.
This guy is much larger and more muscular, with wide spread antlers. I would say he is more mature, even though he doesn't have many points.
03-NOV-2008
Close-up
...of the four/five point in the previous picture.
07-NOV-2008
Spikey???, another view
Please see previous image description for background.
07-NOV-2008
Spikey still
He hung around for a while. :)
07-NOV-2008
Spikey again.
We stopped naming the deer in 2005, when we realized it was too easy to get attached. But I still have a special affection for Spikey.
07-NOV-2008
One of the Fawns
We have seen about 6-8 this year.
08-NOV-2008
The next day...
I watched a buck, doe, and two fawns approach. As they came across the creek, the buck and doe stopped to nudge each other affectionately. At least that is what it looked like to me at the time...they may have been grooming each other. In this photo he appears to be watching over his family.
08-NOV-2008
Looking this way and that
He is getting closer...and looks a lot like the four point that has been coming with the other buck. Shortly after this picture the doe chased him away. But...(see next picture)
08-NOV-2008
Queenie approaches
I've taken to calling her Leona this year...she really thinks she is the Queen Bee around here. I think the only doe that has been here longer is Mee Maw, the matriarch of our herd (and a lot nicer).
14-NOV-2008
Grooming time
I seem to be having a problem cutting off feet (or antlers) this year. But, here is the scenario...the weather has been mostly dreary and overcast, I am shooting through a window with auto high ISO, and the camera is taking a while to focus properly. Zooming in and out doesn't help either...these two were about 12' away.
16-NOV-2008
The five point returns
This is the same buck in the pictures taken on Nov 3rd, page 1 of this pblog. He does not have the dark markings that are evident in the rest of our herd.
16-NOV-2008
Closer...
But I cut off part of the picture again...had another, but I liked this shot better.
20-NOV-2008
Seven point in the snow
The weather is changing a lot now...but our pond is still empty as it has been since early September.
21-NOV-2008
Woebegone...
He looks like this is the first time he's seen snow...obviously not possible.
22-NOV-2008
He's still around...
Spikey is used to snow, but he was also used to a dish. We have had so many more deer around at the same time since 2005, it was getting too crowded for a dish. They seem to prefer it that way, but the yard has really suffered.
22-NOV-2008
Extreme close-up
This is the last close up shot I have of Spikey this year.
22-NOV-2008
I think he is saying good-bye...
for now. Rifle Hunting season starts Nov 24th. I saw him a few days into hunting season, but this is the last day I was able to catch any pictures. As it says in the gallery description...there is ALWAYS hope.
22-NOV-2008
What's up?
I love the way these two look like they are talking to each other...see next image.
22-NOV-2008
Hmmm, there's corn up there!
The deer were very active today, I think they knew hunting season was starting the 24th.
22-NOV-2008
Mama and fawn...
She is one of our prettier ones, but Mee Maw and Queenie don't like to share when they are here.
22-NOV-2008
I want to tell you a secret...
23-NOV-2008
Five Point on Sunday
Still one more day to go before the start. (This one is out of order, the next two are from Saturday, Nov 22nd)
22-NOV-2008
Profile portrait of the Four Point
22-NOV-2008
Our WV Whitetail Herd
Well, as many as I could get in the Frame. Four fawns, four point buck, and MeeMaw (the matriarch)in the in the center back...there were at least 10 milling around at that point.
24-NOV-2008
Seven point on the first day of rifle season
We had at least three bucks in the yard that day.
06-DEC-2008
Five point in the early morning
We have still been seeing a lot of deer in the yard since the season started.
06-DEC-2008
And by 4:00 that afternoon...
It was snowing. The deer showed up anyway...this is the larger Five point buck.
06-DEC-2008
High hopes?
The little one threatened, but the buck doesn't look impressed.
06-DEC-2008
He was posing for this one...
06-DEC-2008
He's definitely a take charge kinda guy!
06-DEC-2008
Where's my food?
Dec 6th was the last day we had any substantial snow. Since then, all we have had is rain, mud, freezing, and more mud. We still have many deer around, but have only seen the two younger bucks since the start of muzzleloading season in mid December.
Thank you for viewing my 4th quarter 2008 pblog...it's been an interesting fall/winter so far this year...so many bucks and perhaps even Spikey!
and a link to the original http://www.pbase.com/image/52047476 Many other pictures of Spikey can be seen in those galleries.
