Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Wildlife => Topic started by: cosmo3667 on February 18, 2013, 07:01:27 PM

Title: Scarb Deer out in yards & along the W Ridge Doris McCarthy
Post by: cosmo3667 on February 18, 2013, 07:01:27 PM
On a beautiful cloudless Family Day my friend called me to photograph the deer in her backyard which also backs onto the western upper ridge of the Doris McCarthy Trail. In the span of a hour a total of 8 deer passed through her yard, no big buck on this visit though. Took over 200 photos and this is a small sampling of some of them. Her yard backs onto the Doris McCarthy Trail and the deer are fully accessable while hiking in this trail-park
(http://imageshack.us/a/img690/5815/1shirleydeer35.jpg)
maybe a year old
(http://imageshack.us/a/img694/4615/1shirleydeer34.jpg)
Spooked by a sound sent them for a quick run for cover
(http://imageshack.us/a/img836/2084/1shirleydeer32a.jpg)
Trying to get a good view of me
(http://imageshack.us/a/img9/923/1shirleydeer29.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img853/3575/1shirleydeer26.jpg)
No Bucks but still some fair size does to keep watch
(http://imageshack.us/a/img13/3781/1shirleydeer25.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img585/557/1shirleydeer24.jpg)
Mother keeping a eye on her baby
(http://imageshack.us/a/img689/9479/1shirleydeer23.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img5/5053/1shirleydeer22.jpg)
Shy but came out to look around
(http://imageshack.us/a/img94/9128/1shirleydeer16.jpg)
One of the young ones venturing out into the clearing
(http://imageshack.us/a/img543/4707/1shirleydeer12.jpg)
2 of the 8 looking me over before coming out of the forest
(http://imageshack.us/a/img202/5020/1shirleydeer11.jpg)
Stomping her leg to warn me
(http://imageshack.us/a/img822/5998/1shirleydeer10.jpg)
Giving Mom a kiss
(http://imageshack.us/a/img716/5995/1shirleydeer8.jpg)
Checking me  out
(http://imageshack.us/a/img546/3987/1shirleydeer4.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img715/1976/1shirleydeer2.jpg)
Title: Re: Scarborough Deer out in the yards again
Post by: AcemanDanny on February 18, 2013, 09:24:42 PM
Amazing pics, would love to have that backyard. Where in Scarborough were these pics taken?
Title: Re: Scarborough Deer out in the yards again
Post by: cosmo3667 on February 19, 2013, 07:29:00 AM
Quote from: "AcemanDanny"
Amazing pics, would love to have that backyard. Where in Scarborough were these pics taken?
On the west ridge of the Doris Mcarthy trail the woods are full of deer, both in this park Doris McCarthy Trail & Cudia Park at the bottom of Meadowcliff
Title: Re: Scarborough Deer out in the yards again
Post by: dawnofthewolf on February 19, 2013, 06:26:31 PM
Nice photos, how close did you get for your shots?

Quote
On the west ridge of the Doris Mcarthy trail the woods are full of deer, both in this park Doris McCarthy Trail & Cudia Park at the bottom of Meadowcliff

How much would you estimate the population along the bluffs?  I presume that they came down along the Highland Creek?  Is it possible to walk from Cudia Park to Bluffers Park(eastern edge) on the lakeshore?
Title: Re: Scarborough Deer out in the yards again
Post by: cosmo3667 on February 20, 2013, 01:10:44 PM
Quote from: "dawnofthewolf"
Nice photos, how close did you get for your shots?

Quote
On the west ridge of the Doris Mcarthy trail the woods are full of deer, both in this park Doris McCarthy Trail & Cudia Park at the bottom of Meadowcliff

How much would you estimate the population along the bluffs?  I presume that they came down along the Highland Creek?  Is it possible to walk from Cudia Park to Bluffers Park(eastern edge) on the lakeshore?

No walking access from Cudia park because it does not drop down to the lake instead use the Doris McCarthy trail off of Ravine Dr (runs south of Kingston Rd) park then simply walk down the trail a gradual drop all the way down to the lake, from there you can walk the waterfront trail newly built in either direction. Officially the trail does not connnect to the bluffs eastern beach area but it can be easily managed.  I have seen up to 15 deer at anyone time. 2 very impressive bucks 10 pointers (seen in earlier posts here) Walking the Doris McCarthy trail I've noted a Barred Owl, Pileateated Woodpecker, fox, cardinals, chickadees, Junco's,  Hawks  so keep your eyes open as you move along. The deer can be and have been seen feeding on both sides of the trail esp where the snow has melted off.  I used a 55-300 mm lens to keep some distance between them but some of them walked almost right by me.
Title: Re: Scarborough Deer out in the yards again
Post by: AcemanDanny on February 22, 2013, 10:07:29 PM
What is the best time of day to view or maybe get a glance of these little cuties. I walked down on Thursday around 4:30 pm and didn't see any wildlife.
Title: Re: Scarborough Deer out in the yards again
Post by: cosmo3667 on February 23, 2013, 07:02:27 PM
best time is the morning as they have bedded down overnight and then get moving looking for food. To be fair I am out mostly in the morning and thats when I see them I really have not been out looking in the afternoon.
Title: Re: Scarb Deer out in yards & along the W Ridge Doris McCart
Post by: AcemanDanny on February 24, 2013, 07:01:13 PM
Thank you, I will try In the morning next time.