WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY – BIG CYPRESS WMA, FL
Photograph of a young male deer was taken in the Big Cypress National Preserve in Collier County, Florida. Camera gear used was an Olympus 3040z.
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. They include for example Moose, Red Deer, Reindeer, Roe and Chital. Animals from related families within the order Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates) are often also considered to be deer – these include muntjac and water deer. Male deer of all species but the Chinese Water deer and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year. In this they differ from permanently horned animals such as antelope; these are in the same order as deer and may bear a superficial resemblance. The musk deer of Asia and Water Chevrotain (or Mouse Deer) of tropical African and Asian forests are not usually regarded as true deer and form their own families, Moschidae and Tragulidae, respectively.
Deer live in a variety of biomes ranging from tundra to the tropical rainforest. While often associated with forests, many deer are ecotone species that live in transitional areas between forests and thickets (for cover) and prairie and savanna (open space). The majority of large deer species inhabit temperate mixed deciduous forest, mountain mixed coniferous forest, tropical seasonal/dry forest, and savanna habitats around the world. Clearing open areas within forests to some extent may actually benefit deer populations by exposing the understory and allowing the types of grasses, weeds, and herbs to grow that deer like to eat. Additionally, access to adjacent croplands may also benefit deer. However, adequate forest or brush cover must still be provided for populations to grow and thrive.
VERY COOL PHOTO
I’m very impressed with your photos.
COOL PHOTO
You know what your doing. Here is the proof!
Terrific photo
I luv your photos
Beautiful picture! I love when they have the velvet on their ears. Thank you for sharing it.
Thanx Liz. He sure was a cutie, and showed no fear of me at all.
Oh wow! How amazing to see a wild deer in person, wonderful photograph too!!