It was a beautiful late winter’s day near Salem. Why not visit the Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge?

It’s a well-known location for folks looking for rare butterflies and wildflowers. But, I was a little early in the year for those treats.

There were thousands of noisy wintering geese in the fields below me. I headed up into the Oak Savannah area, eventually reaching the top of Baskett Butte.

While doing some off-trail hiking to the north I was able to approach closely a small group of  feeding blacktail deer, always a fun experience.

For an outing of less than two miles, it made for an interesting outing.

I was within 20 feet

Asleep at the wheel

Egret

Why are they called Blacktail Deer?

Indian Plum

Trail heading up into the Oaks

Up close and personal with a Blacktail Deer – – – what nice eye lashes

Daffodil

Yearling Blacktail Deer near its mom

Blacktail Deer