Urban Wildlife - Watchful Doe and Fawns - Missoula, Montana

Urban wildlife - on one hand, a beautiful grace note to living in Missoula, Montana. On the other hand, definitely a problem of increasing deer population that is not afraid of humans. These lovelies were un-alarmed by yakking Griz fans within twenty feet, walking from side-street parking near the University of Montana on Saturday, 9/2/2023.  (Even more alarming  are the two well-antlered bucks roving our neighborhood!)

Young Bucks - Missoula, Montana

Much as our "wild" deer annoy me by ransacking my lovingly planted flowers and vegetables (IN my small townie yard in a dense neighborhood!), even I can appreciate that these young bucks are quite beautiful with their sleek caramel coats and still-velvety (but scary) antlers. (Did i mention scary? Have you SEEN that fight scene in Bambi ?).

 

Neighborhood Pest - Missoula, Montana

April showers bring May flowers. 

And, apparently, May flowers bring neighborhood pests who interpret “flowers” as “smorgasbord “!

(Side Note: It is slightly embarrassing to notice your neighbor puttering quietly on the other side of the fence - AFTER you’ve been flapping and yakking at a pseudo-forest creature for a good 10 minutes...But I'm guessing, by now, they may have become inured to our odd ways.)

Urban Wildlife - Missoula, Montana

Filed under 'Things I Might See On My Lunchtime Walk'.

There I am, walking along, peppy music in headphones, looking up at the cool clouds, then at the swaying weeds in vacant lot to right, then left at the green green Pepsi plant lawn - whoah! THAT is a HUGE buck! 
Please note this is not the national forest, rather a busy industrial area with commercial warehouse operations, a large machinery dealership, and the UPS distribution centre all within a block either way. And I am 30 feet away on the sidewalk.)

While I was taking pictures (crouched 20 feet away behind a measly 12" wide tree trunk, just in case...), a fella from Pepsi drove by and hollered, 'So, you like our pet?!' 

I have to say, today's wildlife interaction was much more pleasant than last week's multiple incidents of dive-bombing crow parents thinking me on the sidewalk was too close to their fledgling on the company lawn. Scary movie flashbacks. (Shudder!)

I prefer peaceful Bambi any day - especially from behind a tree.

Look Again, Missoula, Montana

I spy with my little eye, something that is … graceful and wary.

Yet another reason why Missoula's downtown river  walk is among my very favourites.

Deer's Eye View, Hamilton, Montana

Holiday RePost: 15 December 2011:
This might be the perspective of a deer as it inclines its neck down to drink the clear water of the Bitterroot River, eyes alert, ears twitching to listen for anything amiss.

Morning Meadow, Missoula, Montana

A common sight in Montana neighborhoods; the wonder never ceases.

I've seen