Posts Tagged ‘Casa Don Pedro’

Fawns Return to Casa Don Pedro

Each spring by the middle of June, Mule Deer fawns return to Casa Don Pedro to frolic amongst the sweet grasses growing along the Upper Avenues area of Salt Lake City.  We suspect that they are born in the green-way that runs behind the homes dotting the hillside, but at any rate, they usually spend a couple of weeks nearby before moving into the Wasatch backcountry.

Most years, this one included, we are graced by twin fawns.  They remain hidden most of the time, but occasionally bust out for an entertaining display of rambunctious energy.

The slope here is nearly 30 degrees, but these little guys bounce around with no trouble.  The irises make a nice contrast element I think.

I set up two tripods to ensure that I would have a good shooting angle on the fawns.  Of course when they finally emerged from the trees the kit was on the wrong tripod.  I moved just in time to make a few images before they retreat back into the deeper foliage and their mother’s protection.

Images in the entry were recorded at 11:30 MDT on June 11, 2011 using the Nikon D3s and the AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR lens.  Exposure was 1/1250s and f/8.0, ISO 1000.  The tripod sets were a Gitzo 5541 with the Wimberly WH-200 gimble head, and the Gitzo 5561SGT, also with the Wimberly 200.

Copyright 2011 Peter F. Flynn. No usage permitted without prior written consent.  All rights reserved.

Magpie & Mule Deer

Okay, now for something a bit odd…  The two most common critters down our way would be the Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and the Black Billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia).  Nobel enough animals, but pretty ordinary stuff.  The particular buck that appears in these images is a regular at Casa Don Pedro – note the distinctive broken right antler.

The Magpie is likewise a common visitor to La Casa, except that Don Pedro hates the raspy sound that these birds make, and so chases them off with extreme prejudice.

Of course what is not so common is the juxtaposition of species in the form of the corvid perched on the deer – it’s just weird.

Images were recorded using the Nikon D3s and the AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR lens.  Exposure was f/11 and 1/1000s, ISO 5000.

Copyright 2011 Peter F. Flynn. No usage permitted without prior written consent. All rights reserved.

Odocoileus hemionusOdocoileus hemionus

Twins

In most years, during the late spring and early summer, the backyard of Casa Don Pedro is home to Mule Deer fawns.  This year we are particularly fortunately to have not one, but twin fawns running around the back.  Since deer as usual generally only appear during the early evening and morning (perhaps crepuscular is the proper word), it can be bloody difficult to make their picture.  Persistence pays off here though, and over the course of the past two weeks I was able to photograph the twins during their brief recons of the hillside.

The images above were recorded between June 22 and July 6, 2010 at various evening hours, using the Nikon D3s and the AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR Zoom lens at 400mm.  Exposure was f/8 and 1/200-250, ISO 5000-12800.  No Noise reduction.  All handheld.

Copyright 2010 Peter F. Flynn. No usage permitted without prior written consent. All rights reserved.