I was be in the same area as yesterday only on the afternoon shift. As I stated previously many times - this is my very favorite area on Douglas Lake. It's actually the French Broad River. No people. That's why there is wildlife there.
It seems that the ducks and geese are both flocking all of a sudden. Could it be because Fall is upon us and many of the migratory birds are on the move? Many stick around but many leave. It seems today, though, I'm covered up with birds.
I ran into a little bird today that I have not previously seen. At first I thought it was a killdeer but closer inspection indicates its a different species. Below is a killdeer. Killdeers are common.
Below is the new guy. I have two excellent bird field guides and this bird seems to fit into the category of Plover. I guess it to be a American Golden Plover. Problem is that the AGP isn't supposed to be down here. It only gets as far as the Mississippi valley. I'll ask around for some professional information.
A Canada flies hard to catch up to the flock that left without him. He is honking loudly as if to say "wait up."
Vultures actually steal from each other. The small and infirm go the way of all weak members of nature and become vulture dinner themselves. Vultures are obviously Democrats. This may be the animal's Democratic Convention. Bet I get some comments about that comment!
A bald eagle swooped down from the top of the mountain and flew along the shoreline. Another bald eagle left a tall tree high on the mountain and, like a rocket, caught up with him and they flew together to the top of the mountain and disappeared over the top.
I was on my way back to Walters Bridge where the truck and trailer was. The route would take me past the tiny cover where I photographed the little herd of whitetails yesterday. As I approached the cove's mouth I cut the engine and the boat slowly glided into the opening of the cove.
She appeared to be alone. I figured I'd snap a couple shots to document the viewing and move on. Then I saw her little fawn.
He is a cutie for sure. This little cove is a spot where two separate mountain sides slope down and meet. The result is a natural valley that leads straight to this flat area back in this cove. I hope this place is overlooked during hunting season so that these deer don't get displaced and disoriented.
There I go wearing you out with a lot of pictures of the same thing. I'm so happy to run into something other than birds that I sometimes go crazy with the camera.
Its really interesting to watch animals when they are at ease. The mother would smell the tufts of grass, passing over some, and nibbling others. The fawn faced his mothers muzzle and watched this process and he emulated his mother. Very cool!
Time to get home. Its been a nice day, especially since I got to interview some fishermen. I'm going to ride with a coworker on his boat on his lake and photograph the job I do every day. I obviously can't photograph myself doing the job. I'll try to do this soon. I hope you liked the entry. Take care and see you soon again.
Seeing that fawn brought to memory an instant that happened many years ago.
ReplyDeleteAn abandoned farm where I use to hunt woodchucks had a doe and 2 fawns on it,I kept an eye out for them and would do my shooting away from what ever area they were using.Walking behind the old house one day I spotted a fawn by itself,I stopped and glassed the area but could not see the doe anywhere.My first thought was some SOB had shot the doe and maybe the other fawn.Deer don't see well when looking straight ahead so I started walking towards the fawn.When it would look up I would freeze and when it dropped its head i moved closer.I got within a 10ft. of the fawn and it decieded to hide so it lay down in behind a clump of clover that only hid its head,I guess if I can't see you,you can't see me theory.I stepped up to the clover and looked straight down on the fawn,its eyes rolled up with that OH S**T look.I busted out laughing and the fawn jumped up and blatted.At that moment from a hollow down the hill from me came the doe,snorting and blatting like mad the fawn ran to mom and she gave it the deer version of a whupping ran the 2 fawns back down the hill and over the stone wall nipping their butts and giving them hell.A very joyous moment seeing mom was still there and laughing like hell at the whole event.Have a couple of other deer stories I will save for another time.
Riverhorse