Animals
Sweet Burro Babe
This sweet little burro, with its long ears and docile demeanor, was relaxing in a partially shaded part of Custer State Park in South Dakota. It’s mother and others from the clan were close by – just outside the photo’s frame.
The burros at Custer State Park are a favorite attraction. They are generally friendly and happy to be petted and fed carrots and apples by park visitors. Last summer they had a number of burro births. This is one from the 2025 crop.
You can view a larger, more detailed version of this image by clicking on the photo.
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Where the Deer and the Antelope Lay
A pronghorn antelope buck was resting in a patch of prairie in South Dakota’s Custer State Park. He wasn’t alone. A hundred or so yards away his harem of does (6 or 7) were grazing in the prairie. Apparently, that’s the way it works in pronghorn culture.
You can view a larger, more detailed version of this image – where you can count the flies on the buck – by clicking on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Eight Point Guard
This whitetail buck was standing guard as his mate grazed in the lush grasses of a clearing at Custer State Park in South Dakota.
You don’t have to look very closely to see the flies on this guy. There were many more that were swarming around these deer. In fact, the little dots of light, like bokeh, in this image are out of focus flies.
I happened along this pair while they were busy enjoying an early evening meal. As soon as I approached, the buck turned and faced me for the moment you see here and then, with a snort, turned and both ran off.
You can get a larger view of the deer and count the flies by clicking on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Cute Deery Ears
I found this gentle soul resting in the grass on a hillside at Badlands National Park in South Dakota. This is a mule deer doe.
This wasn’t my first glimpse of her. We saw her while on a hike through some rugged terrain – the Notch trail. That trail ends on a bluff, overlooking a valley. The doe and her fawn were grazing the grasses below us. (Zoomed in photo on left.)
Shortly after, we were hiking another trail and I caught a glimpse of her while climbing some wooden stairs. She was still and quiet, as you see here here, and I almost missed her. She remained quiet and watched while I took photos from a couple of angles on the trail stairs. A few steps farther up and I saw her fawn resting in the shade. (Photo on the right.) The fawn was difficult to see and take a photo of because it was in some brush.
We have ple
nty of white tail deer in the area of Wisconsin where we live. As far as I know, we don’t have any mule deer. This was a fun find. I am most intrigued by the abundance of hair in their ears.
You can get a larger, more detailed look at the doe by clicking on the photo. When you do, a larger image will open in a new browser window.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Bandits In the Bush
This pair of very young Raccoons were attentive while trying to blend into the scenery. They were photographed under a bunch of day lilies on the front lawn of our rural Kewaunee, Wisconsin home.
We came home from work one evening to find three of these little rascals roaming around our yard. We never spotted an adult. A couple of evenings later we saw four of them in at late dusk. (At least we think we did.) Still, never saw an adult.
The little ones could be seen at various times and places, with their noses planted in the grass – foraging for bugs and grubs, I imagine. After a few days we only saw two. After a few more days, we only saw one. The one stayed around for about a week.
I’m hoping they moseyed through the farm field that surrounds our house to the woods beyond. I don’t believe we have enough variety in our short grass to satisfy the appetites of a growing tribe.
I’m thankful for the short visit because they were so over-the-top cute, way fun to watch and, of course, I was able to get a number of fun photos. Watch for a couple more to show up in the near future.
If you’d like a better look at these bright eyes, click on the photo and a full-screen version will open in a new browser window.
Deer Friends
A couple of white-tailed deer were sharing a morning moment. It looks like one buck might be telling secrets to his relaxing friend. In reality, a little grooming was taking place. The standing deer was using his tongue to clean the ear of the other.
I grabbed this image at the small zoo at Bruemmer Park in Kewaunee County, WI. To get this shot, I had to focus through the high fence that keeps their small herd contained.
You can view a larger version of this image by clicking on the photo. When you do, a full-screen version will open in a new browser tab.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.
