Deer

I have thousands of field camera photos of deer. Deer are our most frequent wildlife visitors. Some deer are curious about the cameras, which results in great pictures, while others just seem to tolerate the annoying clicks and flashing lights. I believe that our deer are Black-Tailed deer, a subspecies of Mule deer. I have copied direct quotes from an informational website that I found helpful in my understanding of these beautiful animals and thought you would too.

“Black-tailed deer are reddish-brown in summer and brownish-gray during winter. Their large ears move independently. The deers’ broad tails are completely black or dark brown on top and white underneath. They raise their tails to expose the white underside when they’re frightened. Bucks have dark brown antlers with symmetrical branching.”

Black-Tailed Deer Facts: https://animals.mom.me/blacktailed-deer-6477.html

I am delighted that these beautiful creatures feel safe around my house. I have stunning photographs. It was a challenge for me to select my favorites to display on this blog. I think that Camera 5 captures the most interesting photos because the deer walk directly towards the camera. The two photos directly below are perfect examples.

Camera 5 – 10/24 and 10/28/2018 – Such beautiful alert eyes.

Camera 1 – 09/06/2018 – As this deer walked past my field camera I was able to get a detailed photograph of the antlers.

“Black-tailed bucks have antlers, females don’t. Male fawns begin growing antler buttons at 6 to 8 months old. These become full-size antlers in four to five years. Their antlers develop under a layer of skin called velvet. The velvet dries up and peels off once the antlers have fully developed. They shed annually, between December and March, antlers wind up on the forest floor, providing a source of calcium for other animals. New antlers appear between April and August. They become bigger and have more branches each year.”

Black-Tailed Deer Facts: https://animals.mom.me/blacktailed-deer-6477.html

Camera 1 – 09/15/2018 – Early afternoon photograph of a deer casually approaching.

Camera 2 – 11/13/2018 – This deer was snacking on the grasses in front of the garage and directly in front of field camera 2.

Camera 1 – 12/01/2018 – 5:59 pm – The house is located at the elevation 4000 ft, which is above the snow line. We get snow but it doesn’t last as long as the higher elevations.

Camera 1 – 12/19/2018 – No snow just a few days later, and food is available for the deer.

“Black-tailed deer feed along tree-line edges, where they can disappear into the forest if they’re threatened. Ruminants, they have four stomachs. Barely chewed food is swallowed, then regurgitated and re-chewed. The food passes through three additional stomachs before entering the intestine. In spring, the deer prefer new plant growth and herbaceous plants. They feast on acorns, berries, fungi, grasses, lichen, nuts, shrubs and woody growth from summer through winter.”

Black-Tailed Deer Facts: https://animals.mom.me/blacktailed-deer-6477.html

Camera 1 – 02/05/2019 – Deep snow and the deer still move around with such grace.

Camera 5 – 02/07/2019 – A different angle of the snow and the deer. A winter wonderland.

Camera 5 – 05/11/2019 – Springtime and there are larger groups of deer.

Camera 5 – 07/17/2019 – This deer is probably trying to figure out if that strange little box really did make a noise or not?

Camera 5 – 07/26/2019 – How lucky can I get? A photo of a fawn, Bambi.

“Black-tailed deer mate from November through December. Sparring to establish dominance is common among bucks. Does prefer bucks with large, heavy antlers. Fawns arrive in May or early June, weighing 6 to 8 pounds. Twin births are common, but a young doe may give birth to a single fawn. Bucks don’t participate in raising the fawns, instead forming bachelor groups for the summer. Does and their fawns form small family groups, led by the oldest mother. Males fawns leave the family group when they reach maturity, at about 18 months old. Females are sexually mature at 2 years old.”

Black-Tailed Deer Facts: https://animals.mom.me/blacktailed-deer-6477.html

Camera 5 – 08/13/2019 – Mom??

Camera 5 – 08/23/2019 – One of my baby boys!

5 thoughts on “Deer”

  1. I am not sure where you’re getting your information, but
    good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
    Thanks for great information I was looking for this info for my mission.

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