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When the herd shows up early, before we’ve put out the nightly snack?
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Raiding the bird feeders is the next best thing.
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And if you’ve ever wondered why they’re called white tailed deer?
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That’s why.
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Hey lady…. it’s time for dinner.
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Saturday afternoon, the deer and the snow showed up at the same time.
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Our two little bowls of sweet grain don’t last long with a herd of 13 and there’s always a good deal of jostling for position. This includes outright kicking.
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It’s hard to tell, but our buck has finally lost part of his rack.
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And as the alpha male he usually gets a bowl to himself.
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For your viewing pleasure, deer tv.
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And we’re blending..
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This time of year deer camouflage comes in handy.
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Of course our backyard is covered in snow one day and melts the next, so what do they know?
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But they enjoyed the green grass while it was here.
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Our big boy was back the other day.
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He’s the son of the truly impressive 14 point buck that lived here for many years.
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Junior has a weird antler pattern this year and is standing at 9.
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Though the fact he still even has his rack in early March is bizarre.
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He currently leads a harem of 7 does and 5 youngsters. Big boy has been busy.
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The son of our previously in residence big buck seems to have taken over the old guy’s backyard territory.
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He’s a nice looking fellow and brings his herd of 8 to munch every night.
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Four does and four young’ uns jostle for bowl position while the big guy always claims his own.
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Yes.
I’m talking about you.
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Just some random photos I cleared off my camera the other day.
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This was the last sighting of our blue eyed fawn from last year.
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Photos were taken in January and though we’ve seen some full grown deer this month, it’s hard to tell if he’s among them.
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Can you see the visitor in this pic?
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It’s a Red Tail Hawk who uses our backyard as his hunting ground.
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Close proximity to the bird feeders makes for some tasty dove nuggets.
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He’s a young hawk and is still mastering his technique.
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While it’s hard to see piles of feathers litter the ground, these birds of prey really are fabulous creatures. And if he swoops down and claims a certain red rodent….. I can’t say I’ll be heartbroken.
😈
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Winter snow and cold has finally moved in to Maine and I for one am pleased.
It’s winter!
I want snow!
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Our deer are only coming at night now and it’s hard to get pictures through the windows.
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The least bit of movement on their part overwhelms my iPhone’s shutter and results in furry blurry blobs.
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Along with the cold and snow has come the wind, which I could actually do without. Menopausal heating only goes so far, and while I’ll walk outside comfortably in 20 degree weather with only a light shirt… the wind cuts like a knife and even my interior furnace is working overtime.
Just ask this poor cardinal.
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Brrr!
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He’s still here.
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And still showing up despite losing his mom.
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He’s much smaller than the other yearlings but seems healthy.
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And his eyes are still a little blue.
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Husband thinks he’s a buck.
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Time will tell.
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I knew it would probably happen, but it doesn’t make it any easier to take.
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Our little blue eyed Bambi is all alone now.
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We haven’t seen his mother, the old always pregnant doe, for weeks. She was nearly skeletal the last time she visited and I think her poor old body just had enough.
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I’m glad she taught the little guy this was a safe place for his daily nosh. I just hope he can hook up with the rest of the herd before the full brunt of winter sets in. There’s safety in numbers when you’re a little fella.
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Mother and Bambi are chowing down regularly and trying to lay on extra winter pounds.
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But sadly I was right about the blue eyes fading. Once this little one grows up we won’t be able to distinguish him/her so easily.
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But look who’s made our backyard his new hunting ground….
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A juvenile Coopers Hawk.
He perches on the bird feeder pole and waits patiently for lunch to drop in.
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I got excited when I saw this:
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And was seriously hoping mother red squirrel had met her doom…
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But unfortunately it was a dove.
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Better luck next time guy.
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River's world..... 