Stalking the Neighborhood Wildlife
After making the sacrificial snowman yesterday I decided to leave my wildlife repellant home and see if I could actually catch a photo of some of the local wildlife.
It didn’t take long before I found fresh tracks. I had disturbed a couple of deer and heard them move off through the woods. They usually don’t run far when the dog isn’t with me so I stood silent for a while then moved off slowly in the direction I last heard them.
We spotted each other at the same time. One froze while the other bolted.
We weren’t more than 100 feet apart. Both of us stood motionless for a few minutes before I raised the camera. When the deer didn’t flee with that motion I decided to make the first real move. Breaking eye contact I side stepped and froze, side stepped and froze in an attempt to circle around. Finally getting around to the front I made eye contact again. It was a stand off now.
Knowing I wasn’t going to get any closer I waved and sent the deer on it’s way. I was now close to the river so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to take a couple more photos of the ice jam. The rain had started to come down heavier and gave the scene a foggy look.
It was time to head home. I was getting soaked through by the rain and photographing anything was getting nearly impossible with it getting on the lens.
On the way I spotted another Porcupine. This one didn’t seem to know if it wanted in or out of the tree hollow. Blending into the tree I almost missed it. It figures – I spend days trying to find one and after I did another just pops out.
I was nearly home when I had a feeling of being watched. I stopped and looked around but saw only trees. Sensing a presence I again waited motionless.
I wasn’t alone. Curiosity got the better part of a squirrel and I caught a flicker of motion as it sneaked a peek at me. We played peek-a-boo for a while. I’d move off and wait a while then return and hold still. After a bit it would sneak another peek but I never could get close enough for a good photo.
When I got home Pookey was still mad at me for leaving her behind.
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February 28th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Yes, dogs seem to enjoy riding in cars and walking out with their Hoomin, which neither of my cats can understand. I’ll guess your real vanity plate (I’m way too cheap to pay for one, though FAERIE is available in Michigan!) is…. WISEACRE! Or, if you can only go to 7 letters, WISEACE!!!
February 28th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Those are excellent photos. I hope one day to get a deer shot in day light. With my new camera. It has only been dusk for me so far. I blew the sun your way and I woke up with snow today. LOL. I am leaving for my vacation Monday so I won’t be around again till March 18+/- So Have a great time while I am gone.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Nice experience in capturing the pictures of deer. Shouldn’t it be the way we try inches by inches before we manage to get the nod in our daily life?
March 1st, 2009 at 12:53 am
I like your deer photos very much. I just had an interesting encounter myself. Some of the pictures look quite similar to yours. The ice jam is similar to what I wanted to see the last time I went to the Detroit River, but it didn’t happen for me. I saw something similar there years ago, and always wanted to see something like it again.
March 1st, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Great photos. Amazed at the photo of the porcupine. Got quite a smile at the pic of the snowman melting away, agree we need spring……..and soon.
March 1st, 2009 at 2:52 pm
you continue to amaze me with your photos!!
March 2nd, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Hi Wiseacre, that was so exciting, a real close encounter. It must be very different when your dog is along for the walks. I have never seen a porcupine in real life. I wouldn’t have know what it was. The deer is majestic, and the photos are fabulous.
Frances
March 2nd, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Make that your dog. I am pretty sure you are not a dog.
March 6th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Nice walk! Good thing you didn’t come across a buck during rut that closely, they can get really aggressive. (Friend of mine was gored by the antlers and got a collapsed lung.) That porky looked small…poor baby just wanted out of the rain I suppose. I think they’re cute until they want to defoliate MY trees…then it’s war.