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13-FEB-2009 Shirley Haden

Fort Snelling State Park-Shirley
by Shirley Haden

Those of you who've known me for awhile know, probably 70% of my photos are taken down in this park. There's so much wild life down there; racoons, deer, mink, river otters, huge snappers, snakes (non-poisonous), chipmunks, squirrels, and birds of all kinds! It's 2,931-acres (11.86 km2) at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. The strangest thing is, this park isn't miles from the city it is IN the cities. If you do a google maps search for MSP International Airport you will see Snelling Lake and the park region just opposite of the runways to the east of the highway. I tried to link it and it wouldn't work.

Olympus E-520
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Shirley Haden18-Feb-2009 08:12
Oh and Colin, it still is amazing to me too. I've seen more wildlife in the city down in that park and all around for that matter, then I'd ever seen out in the country! It's pretty neat, and I was afraid to move to a big city, HA! I can't imagine leaving here now.
Shirley Haden18-Feb-2009 08:10
Thank you all for the nice comments. Goffen, if you ever come to Minnesota I would be more than happy to take you down to get some deer shots. These are Whitetail deer and yes they are smaller than Red deer by quite a lot. I saw and photographed some Red deer in England at some castle close to a Safari type park. They were huge and the antlers were amazing! It was in October and they were in rut. The bucks were bellowing and it was quite a sight to see! These whitetail deer are big enough you sure don't want to hit one with your car. They have very large tails that fan out and are pure white underneath. When they run they raise them up like huge flags to let everyone around know there is danger. Pretty sweet they are too.
Guest 16-Feb-2009 20:40
I had a look at google maps - then google earth. I just can't get over how close this wilderness and wildlife is to the hubub of a huge urban area.
Lovely shot!
- Colin
Goffen 16-Feb-2009 19:52
I love this one !
I'm dreaming of one day taking just one great deershot. It's my ultimate photographic goal. So i am very interested in all deershots. And you certainly have a lot of good ones.

I see these are quite alert, but the reason is not you. What are they seeing ? Normally mine are staring right into the lens. And on the next picture there's only tails...

What kind of deers are these ? They seem a bit smaller than our red deers. Funny with the collar.
Olympus DSLR Challenge16-Feb-2009 17:17
I think I would trade all the streets, squares, alleys and monuments in BCN for a park like this. Your wildlife photos are as a blow of pure air for the spirit. endika
Bruce 16-Feb-2009 00:42
The DOF is perfect Shirley, nice abstract detail behind the sharp deer.
Guest 15-Feb-2009 06:26
You take the most incredible deer shots!! This alert pair is very engaging. They don't look like our eastern Virginia deer, though. Anyhow, this is a great shot. Must be an amazing place to wander with your camera!!

Brenda
Olympus DSLR Challenge15-Feb-2009 03:56
Funny. The neck patches of white almost looks like rings. I never noticed it to be so striking before.

Great shot Shirley. I have gone through this park many times and never have seen half the deer you have. Maybe I need some apples - but I think your knowledge of the area really has paid off quite bountifully :-)

brent
Stefan 14-Feb-2009 17:39
It's actually IN the cities?! Is this also where you nabbed that old tom turkey? Nice location, Shirley!
Shirley Haden14-Feb-2009 03:16
You'd never know by looking at my galleries over the past years. LOL Thanks Richard!
richdow AKA catman 14-Feb-2009 03:05
Beautiful dear and beautifully shot and of course this would be one of your favorite places.