Summer is in full swing.  I still go into the woods occasionally to photograph whatever I can see but generally, summer is slow for wildlife photography.  I was driving past a field and noticed a movement.  I thought it was a cat or small dog but I pulled over anyway.  When the animal saw me it laid down in the high grass like it was playing peek-a-boo. 

Red Fox

Once it stood up again I realized it was a small Red Fox.

Red Fox

One day I was surrounded by the call of Eastern Towhee.  I waited around long enough to get a glimpse of one of the birds.  It was a female Eastern Towhee perched in the sunlight.

Eastern TowheeFemale

There were more Towhee's calling throughout the woodland edge.  Soon, a juvenile and adult male showed themselves.  I had the better shot of the juvenile so I took it first.  The male Towhee disappeared into the woods.

Eastern TowheeJuvenile

Later, I heard him again but not in the immediate area.  I began walking the field and found him feeding on some Honeysuckle berries.

Eastern TowheeMale

Here is a female Common Yellowthroat showing off her catch.

Common YellowthroatFemale

This House Wren found a prickly perch.

House Wren

Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on a Horsemint flower.

Tiger Swallowtail

Bumble Bee exploring the Echinacea (more commonly known as Coneflower).

Tricolored Bumble Bee on Cone Flower

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird visiting a Bee Balm flower.

Ruby-throated HummingbirdFemale

It's funny how the biggest and baddest birds get chased by Tree Sparrows.  Apparently, this juvenile Bald Eagle got a little too close to the Tree Sparrow's "hangout".  The eagle was chased off by a single Tree Swallow.  Incidentally, this juvenile eagle was hatched this year in western PA.

Bald EagleJuvenile being chased by swallow

On July 17th, I posted a blog called "In Every Walk With Nature One Receives Far More Than He Seeks" and it included a photograph of a young, male Wood Duck.  I believe the young, female Wood Duck below is from the same family.  Well, I photographed her in the same location and she is about the same size so I'm just guessing.

Wood DuckFemale

Last year I photographed, from a great distance, some pretty large bucks in a soy field.  This year, that field is planted with corn so I've been looking in other locations.  This photo was taken handheld, at dusk, from my vehicle.  If you try to exit the car the deer tend to get spooked and run.  Most of my sightings are on private land so someday, I hope to get permission to set up my blind at the edge of the woods in hopes for some better photographs.

White-tailed DeerShot handheld on vehicle window from about 500 yards near darkness. Not back quality considering the lighting and distance.

The photo above shows a typical set of antlers for a White-tailed deer.  This photo below shows a different kind of irregular to me.  I've seen irregular racks that have multiple tines coming off the main shaft but this deer has multiple shafts growing from large pedicles.

White-tailed DeerIrregular rack

I imagine you'll hear from me again in the next month but I am now anticipating spending some September days in Bennezette, PA photographing the elk rut.  Check back soon.

Thanks for looking,

Dan