While the ground at my place has been covered w/ several inches of snow for at least a month winter blew in- BIG TIME over the past 48 hours, dropping a good 12-16" of snow and leaving my little spot here looking like a winter wonderland.

Wanted to get some images of the field by the edge of my gardens before the deer....and my dog Comanche left footprints everywhere. So I cut through the softwoods behind my house and as I came around a corner this buck was just standing there w/ his head turned towards me watching my progress.

I rarely see Bucks. I have hundreds of images of does and their fawn (most of those taken through my windows) so seeing this guy was a real delight AND a huge surprise. Managed to get just two photos before Comanche caught up w/ me. Deer and dog proceeded to run right through my untouched field of snow.....lol Oh well...at least I got my first image of a Buck w/ horns.