Time of The Deer

- Finally, some significant rainfall this morning and forecast for the next 2-3 days. The tropical system that has brought misery to many across the Deep South could serve our area very well. All across East Tennessee, even the mature deciduous trees have been showing signs of stress due to diminished moisture content in the soil. Hopefully we will see enough rainfall to make a positive impact.

- Many in our area have commented recently on the continued abundance of buttterflies....I see them everywhere....Swallowtails, Sulfurs, Skippers...everywhere.

- A real treat....I recently spotted a Golden Eagle within our properties.... perched high in a dead tree overlooking an expanse of field and forest. Very impressive species.

- I have been seeing deer and more deer. Through the years, I have noticed, in our Tennessee location anyway, that this is the time of year when Whitetail Deer males seem to hang out together. Late August through mid-September is when this seems to happen, but the reasons are vague. The older bucks, usually solitary, seem to tolerate the presence of the young bucks, for whatever reason. The younger males are probably only seeking companionship and the older bucks are a target role model. Rest assured, history has revealed that it will not be long until this tolerance by the older boys will not be the case, and the younger males, most likely entering their second autumn, will have to be content within the social structure of other young bucks, yearlings and does. However, the deer would no doubt be disappointed to know that I am making an attempt to properly analyze their antics, for to them, there is no issue.... this behavior is simply what their kind do.

- Attached are recent photos of Odocoileus.....one of a young buck that seemed to be posing for the camera. Nearby was a doe and two young fawns (still with spots)...not a common sighting....male-female-babies together. Another photo is of a doe, seemingly a bit mal-nourished, that came within 6'-7' of the front porch of my cabin. The third photo is of a young doe, taken at sundown, that seemed to be quite arrogantly waving good-bye to the intruder in her neighborhood.

8-11-08 Observations

- What weather! Cool nights (mid to upper 50s) and warm days (upper 70s to low 80s) have describe the weather on the mountain properties the last few days. Brilliant sunshine and low humidity! Is this mid-August or mid-September? Very nice!

- I have been hearing the call of the Bobwhite most everywhere I travel within the developments lately, and finally a couple of days ago, I managed to get a good camera shot of one of these rotund, primarily ground dwelling fowl. Last Friday, I watched as two adults and an entire brood of just hatched young crossed the road in front of me. The little puffs of feathers were no larger than a golf ball, but could they run! The Bobwhite has made quite a comeback in Tennessee in recent years. Once endangered in many parts of Tennessee (in the 90s), they are more numerous this year than I can ever recall. Their call in the late afternoon stillness reminds me of a time when the clock did not spin so fast! Once the most popular of the upland Tennessee game birds, I cannot remember the last time I heard someone say they had been 'quail' hunting. Watching a good dog hover on point near a hidden covey is one of the many fond memories of growing up in the Tennessee farmlands.

- Also attached is a recent photo of a traffic jam within our properties. This flock of Wild Turkeys seemed to be enjoying a light rain while the photo was taken through the windshield!