If you’ve been a regular here on the Pasty Cam, you’ve seen quite a few photos that Jeff Dennis has gotten of the deer that he feeds on the shores of Lake Superior out at Little Traverse Bay. And if you know anything about feeding deer in the winter months, the deer congregate in “deer yards” where their feed is supplemented to help them make it through the winter. The deer get used to the person who is bringing their food after a time and they begin to trust them being around the herd. That’s what has happened at the Dennis’ cottage. Today’s photos are a few that Jeff has shared to show how the deer are not startled by his presence in the midst of them. That first shot is a fun one, with the title Jeff gave the photo - “Show Down!” It really isn’t, but doesn’t it look like a wild west scene? If you click on this link, you can hear the music Jeff set this photo to, which completes the wild west theme: Show Down

Jeff has gotten quite creative with the titles he gives his photos and you can just tell how much he loves critters, starting with his pup, Fritz and it carries over to these beautiful deer that he feeds to help them through the cold winter months when the snow UP here gets too deep for them to find food in the woods further inland. The second photo, Jeff titled, “A deer’s gaze can touch the soul”...fitting that these deer seem to have truly touched Jeff’s soul and that’s why he cares for them like he does.

We wrap up the week, with a video from MI Playground. Nick and Andy were at the Soo Locks for the start of the 2025 shipping season, when the Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader combo passed through the locks as the first commercial vessel this season. They were part of the official welcoming committee and were allowed to board the VanEnkevort, tour the ship and get a glimpse of what it’s like to be aboard one of these epic, Great Lakes Vessels. You don’t want to miss this one!

Hi
I enjoyed the video. But I remember ships that were
ships, not a tug and an engineless ship hull called
a barge. My private name for these is zombie ship:
the hull resurrected and not moving under it's own
power.

Still, I know things always change over time.
According to my "Great Lakes Shipwrecks and
Survivals" book, at one time steamships towed
schooners with cargo behind them.

Loved visiting the Soo Locks!

I am officially so jealous, Jeff....wow...just wow.
God's hands are at the ends of your arms..taking
care of his babies....I love, love, love that!

And the boats...imagine driving one of them. THAT
would be so awesome...Are these the ships that
would cross the Equator?? And there's a name and a
medal or something that folks get, that do do that,
I think....

I'm with Donna, so jealous! I know
when they come here all summer, some
of them get used to us and just stand
there when we bring them food. They
are beautiful animals and I could
watch them all day, especially when
they bring their fawns. Thank you for
feeding them all winter, Jeff.

Seriously cool pics!
The first one reminds me
of the opening scene of
Gunsmoke:
Matt Dillon against the gun
slinging outlaw knows as
Wild White Tail Bill.
It must feel good to be able
to be among wild animals
like that, that have gained
your trust.

Hi
Donna, the ships in the video are lake freighters,
not oceangoing ships (salties). So, no crossing of
the equator. They will cross the 45th parallel---
halfway between the north pole & the equator---if
they go from the Soo to Detroit, Chicago, or any
other port on Lake Erie or Ontario. I know about
that because there's a sign on the I-75 near Gaylord
commemorating that; I look for it on my way up
north.

cool...thanks Kathryn!

Very nice pics, Jeff!! And Nick & Andy sure get to
do some really cool stuff, great video, must mean
Summer is coming, so Heikki... you know what to
do... stop making so much work for those in the
YOOP-EH!! :=))

TIGER BASEBALL IS ON THE AIR!!