There is nothing quite like the sight of a fawn and especially one that is only a few days old.
This blue eyed baby was born very close to my home, which sits next to a couple of acres of open space. The space is a safe haven for the resident blacktail deer amid the homes and busy roads that dominate this area. I have come to love and care about these beautiful, gentle creatures of the woodland.
Fawns are born from April through June weighing around 6 - 9 lbs. They are born with their eyes open and blue (just like us) and fully furred; are able to stand in 10 minutes and walk in 7 hours. Fawns are born scent-free and have white camouflage spots which protect them from predators.
Nursing occurs three or four times a day for less than thirty minutes at a time, but otherwise, the doe keeps her distance. She also needs to feed sufficiently in order to produce enough milk. This helps reduce the chances that she will attract a predator to the fawn. The fawn’s protective coloration, near lack of scent and ability to remain motionless all help it avoid detection by predators and people.
One thing I noticed while the fawn was nursing, was the doe licking its anal region. This is to stimulate its bladder and bowels. Although it sounds unpleasant to us, does are vigilant in keeping their offspring scent free by consuming their urine and droppings.
I both adhere to and teach ethical wildlife photography, therefore this video was captured using a long, zoom lens from a hidden, elevated area in my home. Please watch, photograph and enjoy deer from a safe and non-intrusive/threatening distance. Does are very protective of their young, so this ensures both their safety and yours.
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