Final Days

Gallery: WildlifePosted December 11, 201495 views6 comments

I came across this old doe at the local Nature Center. She was very thin and she moved very slowly. There is something not quite right about her eyes. It is obvious to me that she is very old. This is probably her last winter. She had no fawn with her or any other deer close by. She has probably done her biological duty with many fawns raised over the years. It won't be long before she slips away. Comments and critiques welcome.

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 200-400 f4 L IS
f4.0
1/500s
ISO 1600
Focal Length 343mm

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on December 11, 2014 at 11:01 PM

She does look old, Jerry, and tired. She probably will just drop off the radar one day and no one will notice she's not around. She probably will find a quiet place to lay down when the time is right. Deer have a way of doing that. All we can do is say thank you.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on December 12, 2014 at 12:58 AM

Jerry,
A very sad tale but unfortunately inevitable.
Great image

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on December 12, 2014 at 8:45 PM

Jerry, IMHO you have done this girl proud. Good story your photo tells. I agree with Peter about her final act. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on December 14, 2014 at 8:59 AM

Hi Jerry,

Somewhat sad but "it's a part of life" tale. Are there any predators (coyotes?) in the area? I'm lucky enough to live in an area with a lot of deer (and elk) and ecologically functional populations of several predators (bears, coyotes, wolves, cougars) and it just dawned on me now that I've never seen an ungulate in my area that looked old.

Cheers...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on December 14, 2014 at 10:14 AM

Jerry: a poignant caption. Even without reading your commentary, your photo has captured her tiredness . The techs are spot on. The only thing I might suggest, would be to tone down the grasses on the left edge of the frame or clone them away. Congrats. Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on December 14, 2014 at 9:14 PM

Thanks everyone for all the comments.

Brad, there are a few coyotes in the area. I am sure at some point, they will notice this doe and it will be over.

Jerry

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments