No Luck On Sheds, Some One Sided Bucks

Trailcams picked up my walk a couple weeks ago in our only real snow of this winter (so far).

 I had a couple of big walks this weekend too.

 On Saturday night, I happened to be out and about in the Ranger as the sun was going down so I just parked it by this cedar and went up to the main field stand.  I wasn't armed - just checking things out.

 Three does came by and weren't happy to find the Ranger parked there.

It was a nice sunset - quite civilized weather for February.

I was out by myself this weekend so I just grilled up an elk steak.  Not too shabby.

 On the Sunday morning walk, I went cross country looking for shed antlers.  Thru creek bottoms.

 Following deer trails along benches in the woods.

 I covered about 2.5 miles over hill and dale while wearing my daypack for ballast.

 I also checked the fields, under the pine trees, and even some of the heaviest brier patches.  Not one antler.

On camera, there are some one-sided bucks running around.

 It is time for them to drop,

But many of them were still wearing both antlers.

Maybe next week I'll find one or two.  I did a few chores - some mowing and frost seeding.

 There is a hint of green-up in a few clover plots.  Otherwise, food is scarce.

 Wonder what spooked her?

 The coyotes are on the prowl.

 It's nice to see some turkeys - been awhile.

 Even a gobbler.

 And the foxes continue to snoop around.

Plus one bobcat sighting.

Nature/Wildlife Photo of Year Awards

It's that time of year when various societies or agencies select their photos/photographers of the year.  Here's a selection each of which has some amazing shots.

Wildlife Photos of Year Finalists

BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Nature Photographer of the Year

GDT Nature Photographer of the Year

And this is a good article on the relative importance on acorns/oaks versus forest floor browse for the health of a deer herd.

Another Good QDMA Article on Deer Habitat

Some Real Winter

 We got the first real snow of the year.  Only an inch or two but it is better than the wet gloom that we've been having.

 Lots of bird feeder activity - cardinals in this case.

 I put on my backpack of ballast and headed out to do the camera tour on foot.

Saturday was still cloudy but Sunday morning was sunny and bright.  I took a walk both days.

A little more difficult to navigate the steep slopes when they're snow covered.

The cameras tell some of the stories - a squirrel and a crow involved in this snow disturbance.

 But who did this?  I heard a very loud and distinct turkey gobble on my walk this morning.

 Not a very good photo but a full moon rising.  As we were going to bed Saturday, Joan looked out the window and there was a young doe at the bird-feeder.  She watched a while longer and a family group passed by.

 When I got up Sunday morning, it looked like there had been a dance party due to all the hoof prints in the snow.

 There were coming from everywhere up to the feeders.

 Beautiful sunrise.

 And the bird activity picked right up.  The deer had definitely depleted the seed inventory.  Red bellied woodpecker.

 Lots of doves.

 Valentine couple.

 Woodpecker and junko.

A dove thinking about a challenge.

 The Sunday morning walk was glorious - lots of sun and no wind.  It was about 26F.

Most bucks still sporting their headgear.

I didn't find any sheds.

 This one appears to have shed early and is already working  on the next set.

 A crowd around the corn remnants.

 Doe vs possum.

 Doe party.

 A crowd in the pond field.

 Some young bucks still sparing.

The take-down.

 Loser?

 Coyotes moving.

 One bobcat sighting.

And a neighborhood dog.