Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: summer coat

On a drive along some of the backroads SW of Calgary yesterday, 27 June 2014, I pulled over to check for birds at a small pond. Three of these beautiful White-tailed Deer appeared, including this male and another male, plus a female. The males hung out together, and there was a brief moment of locked antlers. I don't know enough about Deer to be able to age them, but the males were acting rather like teenagers : ) Lol, guess that could make them any age. Unfortunately, one buck was missing the antlers on one side of the head, which I believe is probably permanent. This was the same drive that I found the male Bobolink - an uncommon bird in Alberta, so it was a real treat. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-tailed_deer

Not sure where I took this photo of a White-tailed Jackrabbit last August, but I think it may have been out on the grassy area near my home. "Within Calgary, it occurs in almost any open space -- from small parkettes to shopping plazas, and the University grounds. By day it shelters under dense cover, perhaps a low-growing juniper next to a residential front-door; at night it hops throughout the neighbourhood to find food and mates. Watch for their footprints in the snow." From talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=571

LOL, I hardly need to add that this photo is not being uploaded for its great quality! However, it is the first and only photo I have of a Long-tailed Weasel wearing its summer coat. All my other images were taken in winter. Three days ago, someone happened to notice this little creature run across the path in a local park and up into this tree. The tree was distant, and I had to shoot up towards the sky, which never works with my camera. End result, a heavily cropped, very noisy image - but s/he is really cute! Thanks, Kristen, for this very welcome sighting!