Good To The Last Spot

 

Mule Deer fawn, artwork

 

 

This season’s fawns are already down to their last few spots. There’s still a smattering around their hindquarters though, like an outfit they’ve just about outgrown. Every year it’s the same, the last hint of their juvenile patterned coat remaining on the back half of the deer. It makes me wonder… why?

Perhaps because the hair is longer and it just takes more time to grow out? Or maybe there is some actual purpose behind their tail-end remaining camouflaged for a bit longer? * Anyone else have a theory? *

[For those that are interested in the process behind my digital art creations, I thought I would go ahead and share the original (unaltered) image that this was based on… Click here to view. When animals come to take refuge in the shady areas around the house, one of the frequent photographic hurdles I encounter in trying to expose the shot is an overly bright background and loss of detail or sharpness in the darker foreground critter. Nevertheless, I am often still quite attached to these photos due to compositional elements or subject matter. As I discussed in my last post showcasing deer artwork, applying artistic effects and filters is one way for me to try and salvage less-than-perfect images or perhaps let my creativity take me in entirely new and fanciful directions.]

 

Harsi / August 14, 2011 / artwork, mammals

Comments

  1. Cindy - August 14, 2011 @ 11:31 pm

    lovely photo art, I like the technique you used here. As far as spots, I think it’s just a natural progression of getting their winter coats in (at least it is here). Spots serve them well for camo when they’re very young, but they really would have no need for them once they’re able to fend and feed for themselves. Our local white-tails are still quite spotted, but that will soon change. Their coats are already loosing their bright reddish color- and the hair is always much thicker around the neck and front legs and body than it is on their rumps- my guess is because that’s where most of the vital organs are. Just guessing outloud. Ok, time to take my moths out of the fridge.. I’m chilling a couple of underwings hoping I can settle them down for photos. I’ve never done this before and would make a terrible collector because I’m too worried about hurting them 🙂

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  2. ro - August 15, 2011 @ 6:54 pm

    Well I like the camouflage idea but it could be just for cuteness. I like the way you manipulated this. When we used to stay on a fishing ranch each year up in the sierras all the deer would huddle around the cabins at night too, safe from hunters as well. 🙁

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  3. Harsi - August 15, 2011 @ 7:52 pm

    ~ Cindy ~ Always so very nice to hear about your wildlife and thank you for your kind words on my art. I know you have a special relationship with the deer that visit your house regularly. (I still have such vivid memories of that poor doe with the hurt leg…) It was great to hear your theories on the coat patterning. Your ideas sounded good to me. ~ Ro ~ Yes, “cuteness” is also a very good theory! *grin* Glad you liked this one! What an interesting story about the deer at the fishing ranch. I know the deer bed down around our cabin at night, but I truly hope it is not for that reason.

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