Watch Them Grow

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Getting good shots of mature whitetail bucks is never easy. Factors such as wind, scent, and most importantly light can make or break a good photo session. With lots of patience and willingness to learn the habits of these amazing animals some times you get lucky.

What I want to attempt to document over the next few months is the growth of antlers on specific deer to see how they grow. The following images were taken at a few locations in the past week, my hopes are that I will be able to pattern the same animal (hopefully the big guy) and get shots every week or so what show this rapid growing process that take place this time of year until October when antlers will mineralize and become hard, dead bone.

June, food is very plentiful right now. I have seen numerous fawns over the last month from new born to what appeared to be several weeks old. Bucks antlers are growing rapidly and require foods with high protein levels.

This time of year deer will eat almost exclusively new growth leaves on trees. Also found on the menu are mushrooms, these are a steady food right through until fall.

In July many of the new growth leaves and stem tips will begin to mature and the fiber content will rise, particularly tree leaves. This make for a less palatable meal. Next month proves to be a difficult month for deer even though it seems food is everywhere. The high temperature and possible drought conditions can be very stressful to the deer and the plants they eat.

Come back next week to see what growing on.

I also wanted to mention that you will notice changes in the site. I am currently in the process of doing updates in all catagories.

AND dont forget the ArtShow July 8th!!!