Wildlife Photos

After rubbing his antlers in grass, which is a rutting-related behavior, a buck whitetail deer pauses to look, while grass still hangs from his antlers.

A big whitetail buck pauses at the edge of the woods after an early winter snowstorm.

This big rutting buck is approaching a receptive doe and "foot stomping". Based on what I've seen, this foot stomping behavior appears to intimidate the doe, and she often urinates, which allows the buck to check her receptiveness (by scent). It has also been said that foot stomping releases scent clues from the inter-digital glands located between the toes of deer.

A Virginia white-tailed deer buck pauses from browsing and looks to his right.

An alert rutting buck whitetail deer stands behind his doe.

This monster buck whitetail deer scans the area for does. Otherwise very secretive, these huge rutting bucks come alive with energy while seeking receptive does.

This big buck white-tailed deer stands in the woods guarding a receptive doe (not pictured). I witnessed him chasing several smaller "satellite" bucks, which were attracted by the "hot" doe.

A big buck white-tailed deer stands at alert with one leg raised while another (behind him) fades into the background.

An alert whitetail buck stops to look while browsing in high grass near the woods' edge. A stem of grass hangs from the corner of his mouth.

A white-tailed deer buck standing in a grassy field.

The buck on the right kicks the bigger buck to his left. In addition to being a whitetail deer behavior, this type of behavior often occurs among other ungulates. In this case, among rutting bucks, the deer on the right is attempting to assert dominance over the other buck.

A whitetail deer buck and doe photographed while feeding in a meadow bottom.

A whitetail buck walks along the edge of a snowy forest.

A mule deer buck bedded but remaining alert. Its juniper forest surrounds provide protection from the elements but somewhat limit visibility.

A heavy whitetail buck focuses his attention on deer not pictured in this photograph. This truly heavy buck, both in body weight and antler mass!

A big whitetail buck stands alert watching forward.

This whitetail buck is rubbing the branches of a pine tree following licking branch behavior. With this rutting behavior, scent is deposited from glands in the deer's forehead thus making his presence known to others.

A big whitetail buck is lit by the golden glow of late evening sunlight.

A buck whitetail deer stops to look while walking in a snow covered forest.

A big buck whitetail deer buck stands alert in a snowy forest setting.

Deer in Fog: A big whitetail buck standing in a foggy forest setting looks over his shoulder.

A giant buck whitetail deer pauses to look while walking through the woods.

A curious buck whitetail deer looks up in response to noise in the tree above him.

With eyes closed, a buck whitetail deer tilts his head back while lip curling. Typically exhibited during the rut (mating season), and also known as Flehmen response, this behavior enhances the animal's sense of smell.