Photographing Park Whitetails

Making good wildlife photographs is challenging but it certainly helps to have acclimated subjects to work with.  Its one thing to take a snapshot of a deer but to make a good photograph is an entirely different matter.  Having acclimated animals for subjects allows one to move their shooting position to take advantage of lighting angles and backgrounds.  These images were captured in Shenandoah National Park where the whitetails are accustomed to being around hordes of tourist throughout most of the year.

Common Feeder Birds

Since Pa. firearms deer season opened I have been spending more time focused on the bird feeders.  At present there are only a few species coming to the feeders but that will change when snow covers the ground.  Blue jays can always be counted on to show up at the feeders regardless of weather although getting them close-up can be a chore.

Northern Cardinals with their brilliant red color makes me think of Christmas although they are resident birds and will visit the feeders throughout the year.  The strong beak of the cardinal makes short work of sunflower seeds; cracking them easily to get at the starchy kernel.

The Tufted Titmouse, another year around resident, will never pass up a free meal.  These little birds acclimated very easily.  Spend some time set up at the feeders and soon they will be feeding within just a few feet of the camera lens.

Pa Deer Season Opens

As daylight seeps across Pennsylvania the firearms deer season will open.  Thousands of hunters will take to the woods in hopes of bagging a deer and while they are waiting for a deer to appear there will be other wildlife to entertain during their wait.

Birds such as this Tufted-titmouse will be flitting around in search food

The deer will be on heightened alert and ready to burst into flight at the least sign of danger

And by evening many hunters will have the story of "the big one that got away"!

Tender Moments

A whitetail mother appears to give her young son a big smooch.

And this doe appears to be whispering sweet nothings into her daughters ear.

Both photos taken while the whitetails were grooming

For more Critters of all Kinds

Visit Misty's

CAMERA CRITTERS

Double-takes: Fawn Siblings

 Fawns are frequently left alone by their mothers during the rut.  The bond between the siblings is strong and becomes more obvious with mother temporarily out of the picture.  This pair of fawns was browsing along a brushy stream bank when they caught sight of me.  Their pose was more than I could have hoped for

Turkeys for Thanksgiving

While photographing a flock of wild turkeys early one recent frosty morning I was surprised when suddenly the alarm call was sounded and the entire flock sprang into the air. 

Thoughts on Scents

I was busy photographing this young rutting buck when a stray gust of wind carried my scent directly to him.  Immediately he burst into flight; as did the dove trying to escape his pounding hooves.

Woodland Whitetails: Firearms Season Nears

Pennsylvania's firearms deer season will open in less than a week.  It has been an incredible season photographing the whitetail rut both in Pennsylvania and SNP Virginia but, as with all good things it must end and here in Pa with the season opener my buck photography will end literally with a bang.

From Velvet through the Rut

August 10th I photographed this buck as he bounded away when a coyote trotted past

An Hour in a Buck's Life: Part 2

Approaching the upper end of the meadow I spotted a large buck watching the buck I was following