White-tailed Deer

namitha-I probably didn't need to tell you that. I'm always worried that someone will see a close or closeup image of wildlife and will suddenly decide to go out and try to make it happen. In one day my daughter had a chipmunk crawling up onto her knee, letting her pet it while it ate a peanut. She was never bitten but I explained to her that other people might hurt the chipmunk if it suddenly crawled up on them wanting food. Since then she's enjoyed them from a distance, hands-free. That didn't however, stop her from covering a Snapping Turtle she found in the middle of a country highway and "carrying it to safety". I'm thrilled that she loves wildlife and wants to preserve it as much as I but there's always a risk to both human and animal when they're touched or you get "too close", you know? Augh! I'm a worry-wort. Please excuse this old woman for being such a downer. I'm sure you take every precaution to keep both you and them safe. Nice to meet you here too! Anyone who loves nature, is a friend of mine. :-)))

Thank u so much for the nature watch tips Janellel, you seem to be an awesome nature observer, I am really happy that I was able to meet you through PN. And about the chipmunks you are absolutely right, infact I have been bitten by squirrels a couple of times, and even tortoises.

namitha-Thank you! Yes, the images in this particular series are indeed in a fenced enclosure. I put my lens as close to the chain-link fence as I could get and snapped away thinking I'd have to crop out the fencing later. As luck would have it, it didn't show. The other white-tailed deer images I've posted here are in fact free and come and go as they please. Its taken me going on four years to build this level of trust with them but I NEVER try to touch them or feed them out of my hand and I never follow them. I let them approach me and if or when a few have come too close I say to them in a louder voice than normal to. "Excuse me", "that's close enough", or "I need more space, please" and it works. I've been told "barking like a dog" helps too with most wildlife but I'm there to photograph and observe the deer, not scare them away so have never used that technique. I never advise anyone to approach unknown wildlife as even an domestic animal can and will attack if they feel threatened or cornered or feel they need to protect their young. In all cases, the animal/s can and will be destroyed by the DNR so if you love them, keep them and yourself safe. Read about them, watch them from a safe distance or from a safe location (building, car, wooden blind, etc..) and never chase or approach them. Turkey have talons, birds have sharp beaks and claws, deer can kick and even a chipmunk has teeth so always use caution and extreme care when photographing them, okay? Happy clicking!! :-)

Hi JanelleL.Streed, Thank you so much for the info. But these photos look really nice. It doesn't look like they are in a fenced enclosure. You are very lucky that you could get so close to these pretty deers.

namitha-Thank you! This fawn was actually in a fenced environment along with its mother and another fawn down in Redwood Falls, MN. The other fawns, does and bucks I photograph are from the Clitherall, MN area and ARE completely wild and unfenced. I can get close to the wild ones but...not this close.

Nice series spotting JanelleL.Streed.