I have taken notice of many comments on blogs referring to pitying wildlife for having to stay outside during cold weather.
This photograph was taken of a deer on a frosty 20 deg. F morning. The frost forming on this deer’s coat attests to its awesome insulation. The deer’s winter hair is hollow, providing it with a coat of “hollow fill” insulation. The skin muscles allow the deer to move the hair; lay it down when warm or fluff up when cold to effectively give it a much thicker coat. Interestingly enough their summer coat is made up of solid hair, a cool coat for warm weather.
Thank you all for the comments on my last post. I must apologize for writing it while I was still quite angry over the events of the preceding day. Since posting I have spoken with our neighbor who was not home at the time of the incident. He has assured me that the offender was shown the property boundaries and advised against trespassing. In parting he also assured me that he is revoking this individual’s privilege to hunt his property. I hope this is all that is required for we shall not allow another incident pass without legal action.
There are many issues surrounding wildlife and wildlife management and as I have promised I will be airing some of my views and experiences here. The problems we face with illegal and unethical hunters invariably can be traced back to greed or simply the lust to kill.
This photograph was taken of a deer on a frosty 20 deg. F morning. The frost forming on this deer’s coat attests to its awesome insulation. The deer’s winter hair is hollow, providing it with a coat of “hollow fill” insulation. The skin muscles allow the deer to move the hair; lay it down when warm or fluff up when cold to effectively give it a much thicker coat. Interestingly enough their summer coat is made up of solid hair, a cool coat for warm weather.
Thank you all for the comments on my last post. I must apologize for writing it while I was still quite angry over the events of the preceding day. Since posting I have spoken with our neighbor who was not home at the time of the incident. He has assured me that the offender was shown the property boundaries and advised against trespassing. In parting he also assured me that he is revoking this individual’s privilege to hunt his property. I hope this is all that is required for we shall not allow another incident pass without legal action.
There are many issues surrounding wildlife and wildlife management and as I have promised I will be airing some of my views and experiences here. The problems we face with illegal and unethical hunters invariably can be traced back to greed or simply the lust to kill.
12 comments:
Well said, Salty!
I've never seen frost on an animal like that, and yet, I'm sure the deer is warm enough. Very interesting capture.
As for the neighbor, it sounds like its ended as well as it can, for now. Let's hope no other lines are crossed!
That is truely an amazing shot!
I really know and understand that wildlife can and do survive in extreme weather conditions, and sometimes they don't. But they do if things are normal. Their winter coats have never been duplicated by man no matter how modern his research facilities might be. The best they can do is borrow breast feathers from a goose or other bird and stuff them in pockets and call that a winer coat. It is still now warm like that enjoyed by the animal.
Even domesticated dogs and cats will put on a winter coat of hair if they are left out of doors before winter arrives. And in the house, most dogs and cats will put on a winter coat that ends up coming out all over the house in the spring.
I feel extremely sorry for wildlife that has to struggle to get a clean drink of water in the winter ice storms, and struggle to locate a place to give birth in secret when that time comes.
We don't leave wildlife much of a life and it certainly is nothing like it was before settlers arrived in this country.
What an interesting post, I see sheep in winter on the hills all through winter... some are covered in snow and ice but seem not to feel the cold. We also have a few Highland cattle and they are the same. Nature provides for them... saying that our winters are not like yours I'm sure of that.
Great News about the incidance with the chap next door. I hope thats the end of it.
I am also looking forward to your posts about hunting and the way some go about it. Your comment on Willards blog certainly gets one of your points across.
Salty, you have such an informative and interesting blog. I'm learning new things from you all the time.
Glad to hear that things may be resolved with the trespasser issue. I hope that's the end of it.
Well done Salty, on 2 accounts.
1st your photo, now thats a very unusualphoto, but my gum, its a cracker, well done.
2nd for sorting out that chappie for hunting.
Next post of staithes posted.
That's a good shot! I've just always thought they had a fur coat for a reason.
Well, I guess they have a very insulating fur!
Very nice photos on your blog!
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know all that "stuff" about hollow fur and all that....I still feel sorry for them. I think every living creature should be warm in the winter. Don't ask me how I expect to accomplish that....I haven't gotten that far yet.....
Wow what a shot, I have never seen frost on an animal before...makes ya wonder how they stay warm..and how you stay warm out in that kind of cold`taking all these incredible shots...so glad you share them~they are stunning!
Cat
I am interested in this picture as I've never seen ice on an animals back before except on Adam's rug which I posted before, as all our horses are rugged I don't know if this would happen to them too if left unrugged.
This morning I saw a white deer, possibly an albino, I wish I could get a photo of it, I haven't seen it since last Christmas Day.
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