Douglas County, Missouri
November 12, 2020
Time got away from me these past couple of weeks. There was the family visit that was way too short. There were things we needed to do after they left that kept me from spending much time outdoors. And of course I spent way too much time obsessing about the election. And here I am with very few recent photos because our backyard critters are not showing up as regularly as they used to. So yesterday morning I wandered into the sunroom to see my husband shooting photos through the panes of glass in the door.
“Shhh!” He whispered. “There’s a good-sized buck out there stalking one of the females.”
I ran to get my camera, but by the time I got back the action was over.
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He handed me his camera and asked me to process his photos. (Somehow he has never quite learned not to cut off his subjects legs in his efforts to zoom in close. The photos did not turn out badly, so I asked him if I could use them here today.)
“I got the whole thing!” he said. “When I first saw him I could tell he was not looking for food. He was sniffing the air and moving slowly and quietly out of the woods and toward something I couldn't see yet. And then I saw her grazing along the trail.”
He hadn’t been able to get any photos of the doe because she was hidden among the trees, but the buck was definitely working his way in her direction with that dopey, open-mouth expression on his face.
The buck got pretty close to the house — he was about even with the bird feeders and then seemed to realize he was being watched.
But he didn’t sense any danger, so he sniffed the ground, keeping his eyes on the prize, and slowly started moving in her direction.
About that time the female realized she was being stalked and started making her way back to the woods, so of course, our young hero turned and followed. As she sped up, so did he.
And so we bid farewell to our young hero as he ambles after the object of his affections...and as she sets off running as fast as she can!
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Now It's Your Turn
What have you noted happening in your area or travels recently? As usual post your observations as well as their general location in the comments.