Suburban Skyview: Deer graze along busy state highway near Carpentersville

It’s not unusual to see deer on your evening commute this time of year.

With my drone, I was able to get a good angle on a dozen deer, presumably does, grazing at dusk near the Brunner Family Farm on Route 31 between Carpentersville and Algonquin. The herd was close to the road, and traffic was moving swiftly during the evening commute.

I was cautious with the drone, fearing that I could frighten the herd into traffic, but was surprised when the opposite happened.

I positioned the drone on the far side of the deer, to the east. I was photographing toward the highway, where I was parked on the wide shoulder, to show the passing cars. I slowly lowered the drone. As I did, the deer noticed and watched. Then they started to move toward it. I backed away, and they followed. It was a surprise.

It may have been the “deer in the headlights” phenomenon that made them follow the lighted drone. But I didn’t want to affect what they were there for, so I flew the drone back and let nature take its course.

White-tailed deer are more active the final three or four months of the calendar year. The mating season, or rut, is when bucks literally are chasing each other for a chance to mate with a doe. And the does sometimes gather together, as the one-track mind bucks can harass them for weeks.

• If you have suggestions for something you’d like to see our drone pilots photograph, email skyview@dailyherald.com with your idea.