Wednesday 19 February 2014

Another snow day - it's getting deep!

I've been deer watching. We seldom see the deer in the summer. The larger wetland (+800 acres), of which our 16 acres is a part, is a winter yard for them. When summer comes they take off. All summer I only saw one deer, and no fawns. The year of the summer drought (2012), they were at my hostas, but not last year as there was plenty in the forest and wetland for them to chew on.

This winter, they've been nibbling on my lilacs, as well as the small sumacs in the backyard. I call them my grounds crew. What helps is the base of snow, and they can reach higher.

The day before yesterday, the sun was lovely. Daisy and I stacked some wood, bringing it from the shed to beside the house. Tromping through the snow is a challenge, but it was good exercise. Yesterday, we had about 10 cm (4") of snow.  More good exercise shovelling. Yes, that's it. Gotta put a positive bent on it! You can see how deep the deer are, up to their elbows!

By the end of a lovely sunny day, which felt like spring, Bambi was sitting beside my bench. Daisy was in the sun beside her tree. Daisy loves her backyard!

Yesterday, the snow kept falling. The deer spent most of the day in our yard. First in the front yard, then in the back, and back to the front, while the snow fell all day. They would hunker down, having dug out a nest in the deep snow with their hooves, they nestle down for a rest, chewing their cud, and keeping a watch out for predators. I went out the front door, to try to capture some photos, and they took off again. I am amazed with their height, grace and speed!

Then, there are the delightful birds. An American tree sparrow, in the falling snow.

14 comments:

Billy Blue Eyes said...

Must be great to have deer in your back yard like that

DeniseinVA said...

Awesome photos! Love your little Daisy and love those dear shots as well as all the others. Have a great day!

George said...

We've seen many deer tracks in the snow of our yard, but I didn't get any wonderful photos as you did.

Hootin Anni said...

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! The deer images are exceptional, and I LOVE the sparrow. And sweet, sweet Daisy.

carol l mckenna said...

Fantastic deer photos in the winter wonderland of which I agree ~ I have enough ~ Wonderful series of photos ~ thanks, carol, xxx

Here's to Spring!

Ela said...

Wonderful winter pictures !!!

eileeninmd said...

Love the deer, I am sure they appreciate the food with all that snow around.. Great photos.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
As deep as the snow is, it sure is beautiful...and who can't feel at peace with such critters gamboling in their back yard???

There is a light dusting of snow on the Cowal hills as I arrive in Dunoon...Finally seeing white!! Take care with that shovelling. YAM xx

Debbie said...

Love, love, love those deer, they are the sweetest creatures on earth!! And what a great tail shot!!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Sweet birds in the snow and sweet deer. I am so glad you have Daisy to help you stack wood ;>). (Don't forget to take care of yourself and rest._

Red said...

It takes tremendous energy for the deer to move though such deep snow. Excellent shots of how deer move though the deep snow.

Kay said...

Gracious! You do have a lot of snow. I'm posting photos tomorrow of Chicago. My daughter has had to do a LOT of shoveling.

Carver said...

Fantastic shots of the deer and other animals.

Christine said...

It's been many years since we've had so much snow!