Saturday 4 January 2014

We've been in the deep freeze!

UPDATE: I spent an hour and 20 minutes on the snowshoes in the forest. I couldn't find Tigger's antler anywhere. I had a lovely bit of exercise, with many deer out in the forest running away from me. I did the same last year. Lovely walk, no antler!

Ayep. It's been -20, or worse, over several days. This morning we have a balmy -16 C.! I've been outdoors hauling in wood and none of the cats have been helpful. We've been trying to play with them indoors. Fortunately, the deer have been good subjects.

Nipping at the twigs in the backyard, they've been wonderful to watch. Big, thick coats, protecting them from wicked winter winds. The yearlings look like fuzz balls. So far, they all seem healthy.

This morning, I spotted our buddy, Tigger. He's lost one of his antlers. They don't need them, once rutting season is over. Their wicked hoofs are excellent protection, as well as the way they herd in winter. Safety in numbers! There are many canine wild critters that would love to feed on them. Fortunately, deer season is over.

This means I need to go out and see if I can find the antler! There is a knack to it. I wrote about that previously: Deer shed hunting for Family Day! and posted a link to the ubiquitous How To YouTube video!

Camera-Critters #300

26 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jennifer, I love all your cute deer photos. The one antler deer looks funny. Thank you for linking up to Saturday's Critters, have a happy weekend!

EG CameraGirl said...

Love all the deer you see! I bet the deer are very happy deer season is over.

Debbie said...

omgoodness, we are not only kindred spirits, we are sisters!! deer are my absolute favorites, although i have been know to say that about many an animal ;)

i would love to entertain them in my yard and also to know soooo much about them!!

browsing thru your blog, we have much in common.

ps....the final tally for pictures yesterday's, 573!!!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

I had an old shedded antler one time but i have long since lost it. Wonderful images of the deer. I would love to see so many up close like that. They are not so plentiful here in New England...and non-existent on our little island.

Hootin Anni said...

...and what do you do with the found antlers?

Dang girl....that's just way too cold for my liking. OH my goodness...anything minus is enough to have me shivering.

But the deer and the snow [in your photos] are gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

Magnificent shots of those beautiful deer ~ Wow! ~ Happy 2014 ~ carol, xxx

TexWisGirl said...

they're just beautiful.

Christine said...

Amazing how they can withstand the cold.

Thanks for putting my 'senior woes' into perspective! You do good volunteer work Jenn.

i beati said...

pretty scenes

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

They'd need a thick coat with how cold it's been. Have you experienced any of the frost quakes Jennifer? I posted about them on my FB page.
Poor Tigger is lop-sided until the other antler falls off and then I'll bet he feels better.
Judith

Unknown said...

Beautiful animals!

Carver said...

Wonderful shots of the deer. I'm glad that only photographers can shoot them for a while.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

That is cold! That antler must be somewhere.

Unknown said...

Hi Jenn,

Do you know if your neighbours actually harvested a deer this year? If so we owe them thanks 2 fold. First, by purchasing their hunting licenses...these funds go directly into conservation efforts in Ontario. Secondly, the harvest of a deer from your local herd this fall makes the remaining herd that much stronger...less competition for the little food there is in what's beginning to be a tough winter. I'm seeing does, fawns, and bucks, all the makings for a healthy herd post hunting season.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Beautiful antler-less deer! What cold cold weather... you are so brave to go outside in it. Thanks for letting me share virtually in a life I'll never experience in reality. Happy New Year.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Such a fun post to read ( I've always wondered what it might be like to use snowshoes! :) Lovely photos ! :)

The Furry Gnome said...

You've certainly got an interesting deer herd close at home.

Red said...

Finding a freshly dropped antler is doable but they soon disappear. Many critters chew them up for the calcium content.

Beth said...

Love the deer pics- and the snow!!I love snow!!
Thanks for visiitng my blog!
Beth @ Life on Devil's HOllow

Cloudia said...

Bless you and your woodland subjects, princess!


ALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >

Anonymous said...

What a winter wonderland! Lovely shots.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
My goodness, do you wear a sleeping bag to survive on your walks??!! glad you go out though - we benefit from the beauty you see. YAM xx

Jenn Jilks said...

Yes, I do know, "Rideau Ferry" that a deer was harvested. In fact, they have many folks who 'harvest' deer on the property. Nephews, and others relatives.

He 'harvested' a deer with a crossbow on Nov. 30th, but it didn't die until Dec. 1st.

He came and told us to ask permission to cross our property to look for the body. It had crossed the highway, after wandering all night.
The drivers have harvested several deer on the highway. One OPP officer had to shoot it to put it out of its misery. Someone driving by took the body home before it deteriorated. At least it went to someone's use. Although, the coyotes and the wolf like them, too.

Unknown said...

...actually more likely a matter of minutes rather than all night, but I can see how you would assume that because they didn't locate it until the next day. You should have hit them up for a nice roast! Still feeding t he deer eh, even though the ministry recommends against it? What if they made it an offense, would you still do it? Just curious. Thanks.

Jenn Jilks said...

No, Rideau Ferry, even if it was a matter of minutes it's just wrong. She wandered around your property and ours, and jumped the fence, finally. Walking in circles around the other side of the highway. I saw the tracks of both man tracking her, and deer.

Any animal in pain, for any length of time, for no purpose but sport is criminal. And we give them a bit of food, a mouthful each, and you dare be critical! A bucketful of food amongst 12 deer this morning.

If hunters can do what they want on private property, we can feed the deer on our private property. If they can shoot something, bait their traps with deer food to draw them, we can feed the deer.

The MNR says not to feed them because of many reasons, which simply do not fit into our situation, with access to hundreds of acres here.
They cross the highway anyway.
It's excellent quality food.
You ought to get your priorities straight. We share this land with them. We pave their habitat. We moved into their territory. We kill them with cars, guns, and crossbows.
Many hunt them to supplement a food source in the north, which is a different story. Here, people gather in groups to hunt, and play for sport. They don't need the food. We have meat grown by organic farming operations nearby. These hunters have the money for expensive guns, ATVs, trucks to haul their prey.

You certainly are entitled to your opinion, but an animal bleeding to death is shameful. Seconds, minutes or hours.

Jenn Jilks said...

And no, Rideau Ferry, I couldn't hit them up for a nice roast. It had been lying dead nearly 24 hours. The carcasses have to be looked after right away.
They took it away the next afternoon.