Hey CHUCK!

[Steve Foss]

You know spring is finally about here when the woodchucks are out and about. This feller just wanted to cross the road to get back to his rocky den.

Also, a couple obligatory deer shots. There were a lot of deer moving today, and every bunch of them I saw, when I got too close, bounded off with lots of energy. Really stressed deer tend to meander off at a fast walk when alarmed because they don't have the energy to run. These all ran. Good sign.

Missed a cinnamon colored wolf by less than a second along the Little Indian Sioux River trail. Saw it trot across the trail about 20 yards up and into the fairly thick woods. Got there and he was just staring at me from a clear opening in the trees about 30 feet away. Got the camera up and started to press the shutter. Then he bolted. Then I cussed.

Ah well, most of a day spent up the Echo Trail is most always most of a day well spent.

[finnbay]

Wood chuck - good sign! Lots of deer up the Fernberg today, too. Mostly on the road! Another wolf! Woo-hoo! Looks like everything starting to move. Maybe spring really is on the way. Good series!

[MN Shutterbug]

At least now we don't have to ask "why did the woodchuck cross the road". I really like the first shot. Fur is always welcome. Too bad about the wolf. It is awful irritating when the finger comes down on the shutter, and just before the AF locks in, the subject is gone. It's happened to me a few times, just not ever at a wolf. I missed an awesome shot of a hawk today. He was sitting so beautiful atop a pine tree. By the time I got the window down, he flew. Yep, missed ops abound.

[Birdsong]

Cute little guy. And I love your last deer.

[Catmendo]

Good work Steve!

[buzzsaw]

Doesn't that Woodchuck know the road is a dangerous place for him?

[fishinchicks]

Doesn't that Woodchuck know the road is a dangerous place for him?

Probably why he was "lumbering" along instead of sticking around to pose for the camera.

[fishinchicks]

I don't know that I have ever encountered a woodchuck.

Love the last deer photo.

[MN Shutterbug]

I don't know that I have ever encountered a woodchuck.

My dogs did, several years ago. I had them loose at the fairgrounds and they both disappeared around the side of a building. They had a chuck backed against the building and you could hear his jaws or teeth snapping. I didn't let the dogs get any closer. I believe they would have got nailed.