The Great Carrion Mystery

You might remember that during the first week of hunting season
we found a dead fawn in the woods.
I assumed it had been shot.
Upon inspection, Becky felt it had died of natural causes.
(which is sad, but makes me feel so much better about humanity!)

Over the course of the next week or so, the carcass disappeared.
Then, later, we found it at another spot in our woods...partially eaten.
I know this sounds gross, but it is nature's way of taking care of carcasses...
they become food for other hungry animals.
There is a sort of wild beauty in this.

Curious about what had carted off the remains, we located one of our game cameras within
sight of what was left of the fawn.
You can see the head and shoulders at the bottom of this picture. (right above the number 12)


We had imagined that perhaps a coyote or a coy-wolf had drug it away.

When we went back out to retrieve the memory card from the camera, the fawn was gone...
completely!

Watch, as the mystery is solved...
(you can switch this video to full screen size by hitting the "four corners" button in the bottom right corner of the video...
you will want to watch it in full screen size to see the mystery unfold!

Comments

All those wild animals and a hawk too boot and it ended up being Sam. Too funny.
WendyFromNY said…
Oh no no no! Bad Dog! LOL!
GeorgiaHoneyBee said…
Wow! That is an awesome slide show! That footage alone was worth the price of your game cameras!!
Kathy said…
VERY interesting! Surprise ending! Gotta love him. The very last shot cracked me up!
Very interesting. The clean-up crew around here are usually vultures (black and turkey), crows, and raccoons. My two dogs don't usually steal the bodies they just like to roll in them. ;-)
Unknown said…
Wow, a lot of critters were involved....but Sam....silly boy.
Agent X, not said…
Super cool video. Might want to give Sammy a bone or clean his teeth before the next puppy kiss! Thanks for sharing.
jaz@octoberfarm said…
oh no sammy....ewwwww!!!!
This N That said…
You really need to feed poor Sam..That's funny..Great clip!! What was that Ghostie looking image in the center about half way thru???
Laura Sudderth said…
As much as I felt bad for the poor Doe, I found this to be amazing...the bear I was expecting was Sammy! Nom Nom Nom.
Country Gal said…
I had a funny feeling one of the dogs would have a snack from it lol ! Interesting video showing all the nature that feasts from the carcass . Nature does know what its doing that's for sure ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !
Ellen in Oregon said…
What the h...! I can't imagine what your reaction was when the culprit was identified. I had already jumped to the conclusion that it was the hawk that did it, but couldn't imagine how it was possible going to fly off with such a heavy meal in it's talons. When Sam came into frame I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Only proving that some mysteries may be better left unsolved. Apart from the mystery, I thought the video was a fascinating look at all the different woodland creatures living on your land. After loosing most of the duckling & adult ducks, I don't know that if you replace them, that they have a chance with all the animals that would prey on them again. On a more happier note - Great editing with the film & music. You really should submit it to a contest for short films.
colleen said…
I was wondering that.
colleen said…
I was wondering that.