No Barking Allowed | Monday Mischief

Jeffie wonders why he's not supposed to bark at the deer.

We've been having a bit of mischief almost every night this summer.  You may remember me telling you about the deers that have stashed their babies just on the other side of the creek from our backyard.  (Babysitting Bambo part 1 and part 2)  Over the years they've learned that we will not harm them, though they're still a bit wary of the dogs.

Just about every night they come through browsing along the creek and playing in the pond.  However, one evening I wasn't watching closely enough.  I let the dogs out only to realize the whole herd, along with several fawns, were taking a break in the pond.

Here are 3 of the 13 member deer herd that visit us regularly.

The dogs thought "at last" and raced out barking.  The deer scattered.

A couple of days later we realized the deer had sent in a "first alert" volunteer.

The "guard deer" at alert just 20 foot from the house.

This doe remained in the yard at alert, obviously watching for dogs or any danger.  The rest of the herd was frolicking in the pond.  She remained until the last moment possible.  As the herd bounded up the hill, she leaped over the fence and joined them.

Rudy and Jeffie watch the deer herd move off for the night.

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Thank you to Snoopy’s Dog Blog, Alfie’s Blog, and My Brown Newfies for hosting Monday Mischief! 

Babysitting Bambi Part 2: Double Vision

This spring a doe chose a spot just outside our yard fence to give birth.  We watched her return to her hidden fawn each day for just over a week.  You can read about it and see photos of the deer here.

Since that time we've seen the doe come to our pond several times, so we knew she'd moved her fawn to another hiding place nearby.  To our delight, though certainly watchful, she seems to feel pretty comfortable on our place.

Then one evening she brought her offspring with her for a drink and a dip of a bath.  Imagine the thrill we felt when we realized she'd had twins!

This beautiful trio stayed for quite awhile.  Nibbling, getting a sip now and then, and doing some grooming.  There was also a lot of dancing and splashing in the water by the fawns.  The doe seemed to look meaningfully at the house... as if to say "Here they are!"

 Show and tell over, the doe and her fawns followed the creek to look for a nice place to bed down for the night.


Since then, they've returned several times and we're enjoying seeing these babies grow and mature.
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Babysitting Bambi

 Late one afternoon we noticed a doe sniffing and lingering close to the creek that borders our backyard.  Very odd behavior.  She was watchful and it seemed as though she was looking for something.  Off she bounded after about 10-15 minutes.

Next day she was back.  She took a good look in every direction then sank down in the high grass.

 I think she felt me watching.  Didn't seem to bother her.

 That's when we became pretty sure she'd given birth, left her baby hidden there and was coming back to check her fawn and feed it.  Usually fawns are left for about a week until they are strong enough to walk with and keep up with their mothers.

Day after day she returned.  Sometimes we saw her in the morning;  sometimes in the late afternoon or early evening.

Was she one of the deer herd that comes to our place to graze and play?  We suspect so.  We know she certainly felt pretty safe.  If she was one of that herd, she knew our horses would do not more than lift their heads to watch and that our dogs would not bother her either due to the yard fence.

As you can imagine, we were itching to see the fawn.  Finally, after 6 days, she returned to move her baby.

 See the fawn?

Here it is!

They didn't go far.  Just up the hill to a swag of even higher grass.  It took the doe just a minute or two to settle in the fawn, then off mama went.  Since then we've seen the doe return twice.  That spot is harder to see.  By now she's probably taken the fawn and moved on.

There's something magical about a wild animal trusting us so much.  Even after she knew we'd spotted her, she didn't run away immediately or move her fawn. Fawns and their mothers generally stay together for about a year, so we're hoping to see this pair again. 

Ah, the joys of country life!