So Many Bucks

Our early flirtation with winter has passed, and by Tuesday evening, 99% of the snow was gone. And I’m more than OK with that.

The week has been OK for lumbering, although the damp, early morning chill makes for a slow start, as well as for achy knees, fingers, and shoulders. Oh, who am I kidding? It makes basically every joint in my body hurt. No use bitching, winter happens (I will still bitch as per usual).

Critter Talk

I do believe the deer have got the memo on hunting season about to start (some seasons are on the way, I think, but actual Deer Day is on the 15th), because I have seen more bucks this week than I have all summer. I almost thought I was seeing the same buck, but a comparison of antlers says no.

I think that I’ve mentioned before that Deerfield is a county park, but it has no fences and is surrounded by farm fields, woods, and the occasional subdivision. So the deer and other critters can come and go as they please. Still, they somehow know they are safe within its borders. I guess you see your buddies get killed enough times, you start to put two and two together.

Just this week, I have seen FOUR bucks. Granted, one of them looked to be a burgeoning spike near mom, but the other three have been pigs and have been just moseying along by themselves, rooting through the leaves for something to eat.

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I was also able to get a shot of a head banging Pileated Woodpecker today. It was pretty dark, but I monkeyed with it in Lightroom to salvage something.

I’m sitting on just over 18 miles in my feetz right now, looking forward to more over the next two days.

Later.


PHOTO NOTES:
Photo 1: Buck from Tuesday.
Photo 2: Buck from Wednesday in same general area.
Photo 3: Young buck with mom nearby.
Photo 4: Buck from Monday’s hike/post.
Photo 5: Woody pecking its face off.