Young Bucks can be seen practicing jousting. Michael Reinhart photographed such an occasion.
Pretty soon this fighting will be for real as the mating season of the Black-tailed Deer will soon be upon us.
Thanks to Michael for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Fog in Point Arena, sunny in Gualala, hot when you get a little away from the immediate coast. No smoke - hooray! Something for everybody today.
It's hard not to watch in wonder as you see a Buck with a big set of antlers. Even John Walls' dog, Dash, was impressed. That's one healthy-looking Buck!
This is the time of year for the rut, the mating season of the Deer here on the coast. As the Does aren't always receptive, there is a lot of chasing involved. It can be a dangerous time to drive, so keep watch.
Here is a photo former coast resident, Sharon Albert, took several years ago of a five-point Buck. Here in the West we just count the prongs on one antler.
Thanks to John and Sharon for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
The mating season of the Black-tailed Deer is called the rut. And this is the time the Bucks are here to claim their Does. And the Does aren't always crazy about the idea, running away in all directions. This time of year sees many Deer hit by cars as the females run in unpredictable ways.It would be a good idea to drive a little slower now.
Claire Feury found a Buck outside her kitchen window recently. He looks to be "talking" to her.
Thanks to Claire for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
This is the time of year that you need to be especially vigilant when driving as bucks are chasing does. Steve Coffee-Smith photographed a four-point buck this week. The buck was looking at an equestrian and her horse.
Perhaps the buck was thinking the horse might be a doe? Or perhaps he had never seen a horse before.
So give these big bucks a wide berth. They only have one thing on their minds!
Thanks to Steve for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Big bucks, showing off their antlers, have been seen pursuing does. Maureen Simons watched a pair recently. They caught wind of Maureen and took flight.
Two days ago I heard rustling outside the window. I looked out and there was a buck and a doe near a big huckleberry bush. I said, "Hello, beautiful," which appeared to be the wrong thing to say! The buck went crashing into the huckleberry bush, entangling his antlers for a short time. He successfully disentangled himself and then took off. I saw them a little later as the doe grazed and the buck followed close behind.
Nik Epanchin photographed a buck devouring a butterfly bush.
It's always interesting to see a deer stand on two legs! Thanks to Nik and Maureen for allowing me to share their photos with you here.