Drama on the Guadalupe River

Drama on the Guadalupe River

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Mature Texas Whitetail at Sunset



His girlfriend is peeking in the top left corner. I was simply blown away during this encounter. I didn't expect to have him ghost out so close to my scene. I've spent literally 3 straight weeks trying to get this close. Tonight I finally got caught him red handed LOL! Whitetail simply drive me crazy..it's a game of chess trying to narrow the distance....even with a telephoto....it's a challenge! FINALLY OLD BOY!!!!

The Whitetail Courtship



On The Roost - Wild Turkey Hen turning in for the night


It's amazing these big birds can balance so well during their night time roost.

Wondering where she went?



I caught this old boy out trailing an unseen doe. As he mosied along, he worked a scent trail following a doe that previously fed through this area. Note his left eye, he recently fought another buck earning a battle scar in the process. He's very fortunate he didn't lose that left eye. Sure would like to find the other buck that managed to toe it up with him.....maybe next time.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Magical Hour


Cool fall weather coupled with an whitetail breeding season makes for a very entertaining sunset.

God Bless!

Friday, October 30, 2009

Junior bird dogging his girl


One shot of a sequence...this young buck is tracking a hot doe using a classic "bird dogging" profile. Nose is held to the ground to maximize scent and the eyes are dead on his girl as she runs up ahead.

Where did she go?!?!?!



Heart Pounding



On the Prowl



This buck is scouting the countryside, hot in the pursuit of courtship.

Working a Tree Rub



Another North American whitetail buck working his scrape line. Whitetail will leave scent markings throughout their territory in the hope it marks his domain as well as leaving an odor that may attract receptive female deer.

Macho chasing his Lady



The majestic North American whitetail buck in a courtship move.....she is out of here LOL!!!!

The Whitetail Rut is....ON!!!!!



Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Big Boy Tailing a Doe



The whitetail rut is now on here in the Texas hills. This old boy was caught out in the open, his female companion is further left and off frame of the photo, moving away from him. Note the shoulders-neck region, full and thick... a buck in rut.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Texas Tarantula Taking a Drink




As menacing as they look...these guys are docile and I must say...pretty darn cool!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Enchanted Rock Pan



Big Country Montana



Breathing in the Alpine air!

West Texas Desert



Just a Super Freak, Super Freak, Super Freaky Yeah!



Got My Point?



Hey You!



Yes you....thanks!

A New Day



For this....we give thanks!

Rios Gone Wild



Aggitation



Another South Texas Afternoon



Whitetail Sunset



In The Barn



Life on the Ranch



Southwest Texas....one of the many working ranches of the region.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

The Crested Caracara - Mexican Eagle



The Girls



Wild Rio Grande turkey hens

Evening Stroll


The Rio Grande turkey was originally found in the southern Great Plains, western Texas and northeast Mexico. They have expanded their range and been introduced into Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Utah, South Dakota, and California. This race of turkeys generally occurs in areas having 16 to 32 inches of rainfall.

The Rio inhabits brushy areas near streams and rivers or mesquite, pine and scrub oak forests. It may be found up to 6,000 feet elevation and generally favors country that is more open than the wooded habitat favored by its eastern cousins. The Rio Grande is considered gregarious and, nomadic in some areas, having distinct summer and winter ranges. They may form large flocks of several hundred birds during the winter period. It has been known to travel distances of 10 or more miles from traditional winter roost sites to its nesting areas. Since the areas they are found usually do not have many roosting trees, they will often use the same tree which makes finding them a lot easier. Their range in a lot of cases is determined by the location of their preferred roosting tree, the cottonwood.

Axis Herd - Or I'm Seeing Stars



Native to India, where it is known as the "chital," the axis deer was introduced into Texas about 1932. In 1988, free-ranging herds were established in 27 counties of central and southern Texas. Axis deer are the most abundant exotic ungulate in Texas.

Traffic



New Mexico Sunset



Near the Apache National Forest New Mexico

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Lazy Afternoon



In between thunderstorms......a buck has to find some rest. In the next few weeks the urge of courtship will take it's toll on his physical conditioning. Till then.....finding moments to rest and recharge takes priority.

Friday, October 2, 2009

The Light Show



This was last night's cold-front....this scene is roughly 7 miles North of Hunt Texas. Note the left lightning bolt reaching out towards me....at this point it was time to pack up LOL! 60 mph winds with nickel sized hail....I raced ahead of the storm and made it just in time before the bottom fell out.