I don’t often see deer in the daylight at my local marshland park, so I was a bit surprised last week when a doe came running out of the cattails and began to pick her way thought the ducks that were foraging in the shallow water. She was immediately followed by a smaller doe, who was also running.
What was going on? What had spooked these two deer? I didn’t have to wait long for an answer. A small buck emerged and started chasing the other two deer through the water.
I don’t know if they were just playing or if the buck had amorous intentions, but it gave me the chance to get a few shots of what passes as “big game” for me.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
You can thank the buck for a great opportunity. I like the ducks conferencing in the foreground trying to figure out what to do about this intrusion.
Apparently the mallards didn’t feel it necessary to invite the Green-winged Teal in the middle left to the conference.
Wow! What a lucky sequence–I’m thinking you may have to put up a more-or-less permanent blind so as to be even more ready for these scenarios that are unfolding before your attentive eyes. With room for a cot, sleeping bag, fridge, fireplace…
Yep, the rut. Ours are pretty much doing the same around here.
There’s a lot to be said for being in the right place at the right time. Great photos!