Suburban deer walking around a suburban country club,

[elleng]

as Spring awaits!

[NV Whino]

1. They really need a fourth.

FORE! Or is it FOUR!

[elleng]

2. Right, the fourth had just jumped the fence.

HOPED to catch that, but couldn't.

Got him/her a bit late:

[NV Whino]

3. Darn.

[elleng]

4. Check the edit.

[Curmudgeoness]

5. What a wonderful sighting!

I love to see deer, but rarely see them in the city.

[No Vested Interest]

6. Until about 15 years ago, we never saw deer in our urban

neighborhood. I grew up and have always lived well inside the city limits of an old Midwestern city.
We had raccoons, but that's about as big as wildlife got.
We're blessed with plentiful park-land, and abundance of birds and squirrels and other smallish creatures.

Then, almost magically to me, the first deer appeared on my back hill. I was so amazed I captured it on film.
Since then, deer routinely cross over, come to my front yard, nibble on the few flowers , and move on.
We have to be careful while driving at dusk, lest a deer dart across the road in front of the car.

Many city-folk don't like the deer because of their penchant for damaging some carefully landscaped property.
But, I'm fine with them passing through, graceful and ethereal to my eyes.

[Curmudgeoness]

8. I have heard neighbors say they have seen some here

close to my house, but I have yet to see them. I am right in town, but there are a few wooded area near me. With all the snow, I have seen a lot of different animal tracks, like raccoons and opossums and squirrels, but no deer. One of these days.

[elleng]

7. and there's a sign, 'Deer crossing!'

Many suburban communities complain now that they're overrun by deer, wreaking havoc on suburban gardens.

It's a natural thing, I think; we grow suburbia and expand into their territory, so they return because they need places to live.

AND COYOTES in NYC Central Park! Wolves too! http://www.city-data.com/forum/new-york-city/2033176-coyotes-central-park-2.html

[No Vested Interest]

9. Their natural predators have largely disappeared, so now the deer

are culled periodically in the large wooded parks in my city.
I believe bow and arrows are used; not sure, but I don't believe firearms are used, nor any chemicals. Apparently the meat is recovered and given to local food pantries.
I haven't followed this closely, but apparently those responsible are able to get a count of the number by aircraft.

Re coyotes: Late one night - wee hours- I heard a growling, tumbling noise outside my bedroom window, in the small enclosed part of my backyard. I was too afraid to look outside so I called the police, who came, heard my story.
Upon looking at the scene, they told me there was an injured deer out there that appeared to have been set upon by another animal - either a large dog or a coyote. They told me they would have to put the deer down, and soon I heard the sound of the revolver shot.

The SPCA was called to retrieve the animal from my yard, but as the truck was not large enough to transport the dead deer, it was dragged to the curb, where another SPCA vehicle came after daylight and took the carcass away.

PS - I like your photos of the suburban deer.

[elleng]

10. Sad, and scary.

I'm glad you like the pics. Will have more, in a more rural part of MD, in a while.

[elleng]

11. Found this: That Howling? Just New York’s Neighborhood Coyotes

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/08/nyregion/that-howling-just-new-yorks-neighborhood-coyotes.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=photo-spot-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

[Curmudgeoness]

12. So far, I have not heard that coyotes are near me.

But then again, you never know. I would be surprised if they are not further out in the outlying areas.

I always have a dilemma with things like this. I respect all animals and their right to live here too, but I also wouldn't be happy to have them in my neighborhood. Coyotes are very smart and can adapt so well to urban life. It is probably inevitable that they will show up one day. Think of how they tried to eliminate them years ago, yet they still survived.

[elleng]

13. Yes, Darwin obviously had it right.

Coyotes/wolves/dogs, something strong in that DNA, clearly.

[countryjake]

14. Love it!

Love both of your deer pics, actually. They look like they're posing for you!

I've got Elk here that I can never get any good pics of...one or two will always come out too blurry or I can't hold the camera steady and they'll all be a blur. The best shot I've ever managed was when I hung out my window (climbed on top of a dresser to lay flat) and just waited til one was close enough.

We've had real photographers camp out on our road before, with tripods set up, to get pics of the Elk in our pasture.

[elleng]

15. I'm so glad you like them, countryjake!

Got these today, 60 miles northwest of the deer's country club:



EASY PEASY, NOTHING like the challenges you've experienced!