Saturday, 10 February 2024

Saturday's Critters

A faithful reader was concerned that we have so many deer at once, and it could be dangerous for the deer. The thing is that there is a hierarchy, and the deer know that the bucks are the boss. 

Also, the coyotes don't come in our yard in the daytime. At night they do, I know, but the deer aren't around. The deer are crepuscular feeders, dusk and dawn. JB feeds them first thing in the morning, and then they all disperse. The only one that comes back is poor lame Duke!

The last point is that we live on 16 acres, about 9 of those are wetland, maybe a half acre is lawn. Our immediate neighbour is on 35 acres, Millar Brooke farm has 600 and Coutts farm has 600 acres. The only fences we have are cedar rail fences. The deer bound over if they are healthy. Poor Duke (formerly known as King William) is about the only one with a disability, who may or may not be able to run faster than the coyotes. 

If you watch to the end, you can see the coyote slipping on the icy crust.

coyote from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Duke the deer, (formerly known as King William), is holding his own. 

deer feeding from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.


They nibble on the evergreens if they are desperate.

deer Feb.1 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

It was a busy morn:

 

Feb 4 deer from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Fisher from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Something spooked them in the forest. You can see them in the background.

running deer from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Saturday's Critters # 530 <= for more critters! 

11 comments:

Mae Travels said...

The term “balance of nature” springs to mind. A deer is wounded. A predator eats. Let’s not get misty-eyed!
Your observations of the animals in your territory are fascinating.

best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Oh, at what point did you realise that Duke was actually KW? Glad to see he's not being too held back with that poorly leg. YAM xx

Barbara Rogers said...

Glad to see the feeding in different spots on the ground...since there are so many of them.

RedPat said...

I always enjoy seeing your deer.

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

It's god to see some wild life.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
I always love seeing your deer, the more the merrier.
Since hunting season is over, I was hoping to see more here. but they are not around now. Great videos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

Aritha V. said...

I enjoy the blog, it's so beautiful to see deer just like that, and those other animals. Thank you for it. https://momentsfrozentime.blogspot.com/

Red said...

You have many performers to give you pleasure every day.

Anvilcloud said...

Just keep on enjoying them.

Kay said...

Wow! You have so many deer in your area!

GreenComotion said...

Oh my! Nice to see all those deer in your backyard and the Coyote too.
Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos with all of us. Be well!