Back in Chicago and grateful to all of you who commented and fav'd my photos of Garden of the Gods. It really is an amazing city park.
For this photo, I almost literally ran into a trio of bucks, driving up in front of my brother's house. They saw the car, but just calmly kept nibbling on leaves. I parked the car and fortunately had my camera in the back seat, with my zoom lens already set up. This one of the three was not bothered by me at all even after I got out of the car (and my mom kindly waited quietly in the car). He watched me from around the tree for a few minutes while I took photos, then walked over to me. He stood about 2 feet away as we watched each other for another minute (I wasn't sure if I should run away first), then he ambled off to join his friends. He was huge with a beautiful rack -- very impressive up close. Not something that I get to see in Chicago!
Awesome shot! He is quite handsome and the deer at your brother's sound very much like ours here. Nothing really phases them any more unless they perceive you as being aggressive.
I am so jealous! I was "deer hunting" with my camera this morning after I saw a lot of them by the lane near our lake house. I ate and walked back and they were gone. Two more crossed and I got a pic of one deer but only his top half. They are so sneaky!
Wow!!! Awesome capture!!! How neat to see him so close up!!! A buck would be a rare treat for me, too, Barbara. We see doe and fawns often, but not bucks with a full rack!!!
Oh, I would have loved that encounter! I'm afraid I live with 2 hunters who would like to have that set of antlers on the wall... of course, they eat what they kill, but I would much rather see them free in the wild. Wonderful capture!
@calm I agree -- my brother also hunts but he's said these guys are safe if they hang out in people's yards! Better than in the woods. So I hope for their sake, they keep going for the neighborhood trees and no one gets a gun out!
Gorgeous and unafraid. Reminds me of a handsome buck who was a frequent visitor to our yard about 3 years ago. No fear of me and I swear I could have petted him if I had a flash of stupidity. Never saw him after the summer which was concerning. Perhaps he wandered far to mate....ya that's what happened.
Wow, how amazing to have him walk up to you. What an amazing shot. Lucky you to have the lens on that you needed to capture this shot. Love the detail and those eyes glued on you. FAV
Instant Fav! Wow what an experience to be so close! I am so relived he was shot with the camera rather than a gun! I hate the thought he might not be so lucky next time! A moment to treasure Taffy!
Oh...Taffy...this is so lovely. What a great expression. We saw lots of these this last week. They are so beautiful. Though my husband is an animal lover he has been a hunter all his life...soooo! But Charlie and I stayed at camp while he went out. His expression is priceless!
How lucky that you were able to get so close to this wonderful creature for a terrific shot! Fav! Hope I get that lucky with some animal shots in the next couple weeks... But in my case, two feet away might be a bit risky?
@redy4et Thanks Elizabeth! Your rule for the next two weeks of travel is "DO NOT GET OUT OF THE JEEP!!!!" You're going to have amazing opportunities to photograph in the wild from the safety of the vehicle. We did do a morning trail walk that felt a bit scary, but our guides seemed to know where to go so we'd be safe, and we had very serious rules about not to get out of line. AND, even more unnerving, the guides -- one in front and one in back -- carried a rifle. We all knew it was serious to be out of the car and walking in the veldt. I'm excited for you and your upcoming safaris!!
Great detail and pov.
FAV
gorgeous capture