OH, DEER

I've been reminded recently that you must be careful of what you wish for. Last week I was thinking, during one of my morning walks, that I hadn't seen any little fawns yet this year. Previous years I'd even got the opportunities to take pictures of twin fawns in my back yard. Yet, this year, even though seeing many deer, I hadn't yet spied one of those little spotted creatures with it's mama. It was, in fact, the very next morning when I saw a mama deer and her little baby walking across my neighbors driveway as I was about to complete my morning walk. I was delighted to get a glimpse of them as they bounded off into the woods and whispered a thanks to God for finally seeing this woodland baby.

The next morning, as I was again walking early, I passed by an area that is rather heavily wooded, yet has a wooded plank fence along the roadway. I had already made it to my turnaround point and was heading back in the direction of home when I glanced over to my left side along the road. There was a little tiny baby fawn curled up next to the fence just a couple feet from the road. Wow, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I thought it best not to stop, hoping mama deer was close by. My two dogs neither saw nor smelled the little deer and we just kept heading for home. As is my routine, I took my second two dogs and headed out again, hoping that by now, the mama deer would have the little fawn relocated to a safer, more secluded area. However, as we passed this stretch of road , there it was, just all curled up and watching us as we passed by. Again, my dogs didn't notice this small newborn by the road, just mere feet from the edge of the pavement.

As we continued toward our turnaround spot, I remembered that previously I had noticed a small deer that was eating leaves ahead of us next to the road and it had bounded off into the woods as it saw us headed that direction. So, I'm thinking, that must have been this baby's mama. So, this time, as we're heading back toward the baby again, I see this small deer coming across a neighbor's yard. I noticed it actually looked a bit frantic, and when it spotted us, it again bounded off into the woods. Just as it disappeared, I could hear it making the familiar warning sounds that deer make, presumably telling the nearby baby to stay still. As we passed it the last time on our way home, it was remaining quiet and still, just watching us once more as we passed. Just before moving completely out of sight, I stopped to chat with a neighbor and while we were talking, the local trash truck drove right by where the little fawn was nestled. We practically held our breath as this huge truck passed on by.

It was difficult to not think about this helpless little creature and want to go and scoop it up, but I knew best to let mama take care of it and get it out of harm's way. The next morning, it was gone and I was thankful to not see any evidence of it ever having been there. I was especially grateful two mornings later when I spotted both mama and baby crossing a horse pasture just a short distance from that previous spot. Surprisingly, the plank fence was too high for her to leap over, so she did something like a limbo move and crawled under the fence, baby stepped gingerly through the planks and they bounded off into the safety of the woods. Again, I whispered a little thanks to God for the opportunity to witness such beauty.

Well, it's time for my walk. I hope to check in soon to give the update on the ever growing bluebird family in my yard. Have a wonderful and safe day. luv, Susan