Mule Deer doe with spiderwebs and a spider on her faceMule Deer doe with spiderwebs and a spider on her face – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

This time of the year the sagebrushes, rabbitbrushes, greasewoods, grasses and virtually anything that stands still are being draped with spiderwebs from the orbweavers on the island.  There is even an annual SpiderFest on the island so that people can come out and learn about these harmless spiders. This year the SpiderFest is August 5th from 10 am to 4 pm and from what I have heard people always have a good time.

Two days ago I went to an area near the marina on Antelope Island to photograph a few spiders because the bird activity was slow and I knew there would be spiders to photograph. I had only taken images of a few spiders when I heard a noises not far from me and a doe Mule Deer stood up the sound of the cameras clicking away may have disturbed her while she rested.

I can’t resist photographing birds or wildlife up close so I swung my lens around and focused on the face of the Mule Deer and laughed out loud because she was covered in spiderwebs. From ear to ear, down her muzzle and to her chin she had spiderwebs clinging to her fur, bits of plant materials and off to the left side of her muzzle there was a big spider hanging there too. She even had webs strung across her eyelashes.

After leaving the doe and while reviewing my images on my camera LCD I laughed all over again. I suspect I will laugh out loud every time I see these photos.

I did pay a price for the photos of the deer and the spiders I photographed two days ago though when a deer fly bit my right hand on the soft skin between my thumb and forefinger, I react badly to deer fly bites and this bite has not been any different. My right hand is swollen, painful and itches like crazy. The swelling will go down in a couple of days but right now it hurts and I feel it each time I move my fingers.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Mule Deer photos plus facts and information about this species.