These two fellows have been showing up lately looking for a snack. Note the buck in the rear with just one antler. He showed up last winter with one antler broken off and the other completely missing, looking very thin, scruffy and nervous. His ear on that same side has a bit of a curl to it from some sort of damage. Perhaps he was hit by a car when he was young and suffered some pedicle damage that has kept an antler from forming.
As you can see, the bucks are still sporting velvet on their antlers which means that growth is still occurring. This buck has a nice rack of antlers and appears to be forming what will be a 4x3.
This doe has been coming by every day, bedding down under the junipers out back. She seems to have perhaps lost her fawn. We have seen only one fawn so far this summer - not a good sign. But we haven't seen any cougar injuries on the deer, either.
Mr. and Mrs. Quail and a few other couples have been coming by several times a day. But no baby quail to be seen this season - usually there are second clutches being raised by now. These two are probably the culprits that are taking little bites out of my new seedlings...
Not every visitor has evil intent in mind. This lizard is in charge of garden patrol and he does a fine job. He will actually race up a tree to get a bug. But sometimes he seems just a bit too lazy while working...
While quite shy, this little tree frog works hard around here, too. They tend to be nocturnal and are as surprised by us as we are by them when we accidentally stumble onto their hiding spots.
The swallowtail butterfly has been coming by, too, to sip nectar from the flowers. Such a gentle and beautiful creature. 
9 comments:
Absolutely beautiful pictures!
How fun to see your animal world. We're in town and don't get to see much wildlife.
Thank you for sharing some beautiful pictures... love your antlered visitors and that one picture of the doe behind the fence is an artist's dream!
Twitter: SolarChief
It seems to be a never-ending battle with the deer, doesn't it?
I've slowly come to the realization that if I don't put flowers in my fenced in veggie garden, I'm just not going to have any left. It's frustrating. But, they are beautiful, aren't they?
Love the quail-how pretty! You can keep the lizard, though!
:)
Gorgeous photos. You are so fortunate to have such a close up experience with wildlife. I am sure they can be a nuisance at times, but it must be fascinating watching them.
I really like the pictures of your critter friends!
I miss seeing the quail here in Texa! Done away with mostly...thanks to the Fire Ants!
Thank you for sharing the pictures with us!
Thanks for the well wishes, I really appreciate them. Hope everything goes well for you tomorrow!
Great Pix! Those deer do look a bit evil don't they. ;) We know there are some that sleep in the woods near our stream, but we never see them in the garden. I suspect Mojo is the reason.
Our swallowtails have been busy too. We get the Pale variety but they still are regal. Funny, I see more deer in town than in the bush. But maybe that's because I usually follow established roads and trails. - Margy
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