Fawn - An Endearing Image

Fawn

One of the things I love about living in the mountains is observing the wildlife. We routinely see elk and deer grazing in the townsite. The highlight of every spring is the mule deer doe that comes back to the yard and gives birth to twin fawns. They must feel safe in this locale because they hang out here all summer long.

The fawns are up and moving almost immediately as they follow closely behind their mother. If she leaves the area, the little ones are given strict orders to get down and remain still. I've seen them lay and remain completely frozen for several hours. When mom returns, the curious fawns pop back up and continue to explore their surroundings.

I was lucky to stumble upon this newborn last June. It's an endearing photo. The fawn was curled up underneath a pine tree, ready to bed down for the night. Because at this early age they are so vulnerable to numerous predators, ochre color tones and white spots allow the fawns to blend superbly into the mountainside.

The tiny creatures seem helpless but within days they will be able to move very quickly. Don't let their innocent look fool you, it won't be long before they're stirring up trouble like eating flowers, running out in the street and just causing a general ruckus in the neighborhood. They kind of remind me of my own two kids.

Comments

  1. judi April 6, 2013 at 11:33 AM

    Dan - I absolutely ADORE this photo - it is wonderful! We don't get to see sights like this in the city!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Courtney - Maui JungalowApril 6, 2013 at 1:10 PM

    LOL. Too cute! That's a great photo, and I'm amused of how the fawns "remind you of your own kids"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 11, 2013 at 9:23 AM

      Thanks, they get older and become little troublemakers.

      Delete
  3. Tui Snider @mentalmosaicApril 6, 2013 at 4:46 PM

    What a great photo! I see fawns from time to time, but never such a close-up.

    Tui
    visiting from the #AtoZchallenge
    Twitter: @mentalmosaic
    Blog: http://www.mentalmosaic.com/blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 11, 2013 at 9:24 AM

      Thanks, I just kind of stumbled upon this one in the evening and took some pictures before it got dark.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousApril 6, 2013 at 5:08 PM

    Awwww, too cute. Amazing photo.

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownApril 6, 2013 at 6:41 PM

    Dan, I finally got to see the rest of your site....YOURE SO TALENTED! Fabulous drawings...I told some friends from VT about your site ...you are their type of artists.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 11, 2013 at 9:25 AM

      Thanks, hope you're posts are going well, I'll be checking in.

      Delete
  6. UnknownApril 6, 2013 at 9:37 PM

    It's so cute! What a beautiful photo.

    Because we don't have any dogs or cats, many local wildlife visit our place periodically. Many wild birds, and occasionally, a family of kangaroos.

    Rinelle Grey

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 11, 2013 at 9:26 AM

      Now that would be something, seeing a family of kangaroos!

      Delete
  7. AnonymousApril 6, 2013 at 9:37 PM

    What a great photo! I've never been lucky enough to see one close up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 11, 2013 at 9:26 AM

      Thanks, it was pretty lucky to come across the little guy.

      Delete
  8. Ida ThoughtApril 7, 2013 at 12:25 AM

    Blessings like this are more valuable to me than... anything really - I feel blessed just to read the story from the person the took the photo. We have a couple deer come to visit us in the depths of winter - they generally don't come out of the forest - we get so excited every time we see one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 11, 2013 at 9:28 AM

      Thanks, The same doe always comes back every year and there's always twin fawns wandering around the neighborhood. Very exciting every spring when we first see them.

      Delete
  9. Susan ScottApril 7, 2013 at 5:41 AM

    Quite lovely thank you to see Mother Nature and her expressions! Those white spots almost had me fooled .. I thought they were a kind of blossom on its skin. Clever camouflage. Clever Nature.
    Thank you Dan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 11, 2013 at 9:34 AM

      Thanks, they are very difficult to see when they lay down, they blend perfectly into the hillside.

      Delete
  10. UnknownApril 7, 2013 at 12:53 PM

    Beautiful Dan! Love your writing & your photography, it calms my soul and simply makes me happy to know someone as kind and gentle as you is out there in the world. Thank you for reminding me of the compassionate side of life (how it should be).

    ReplyDelete
  11. stefaniApril 10, 2013 at 8:37 AM

    This is the cutest thing! How great it would be to look outside and be able to see this in the yard.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Dan MillerApril 11, 2013 at 9:36 AM

    Thanks, we're pretty lucky to live somewhere that has so much wildlife.

    ReplyDelete

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