The Fawn

Donna and I were eating lunch earlier this week. Suddenly, from the back patio, there came a screeching that we really didn't recognize. My first response was that we had a cat fight on our patio. 

I went to to the back door and looked out and spotted -- to my utter surprise -- a little fawn. It continued calling, obviously trying to get the attention of its mother. I looked around and saw nothing else unusual.

Donna and I went outside to check things out. The little rascal was very scared, as you might imagine. We knew enough not to touch it, but were concerned why a baby so young was left alone. We watched for a while, and the fawn moved around and found a hiding place on the patio where it felt relatively secure.

The little fawn hid under one of our planter stands while it visited us.

Donna and I eventually moved inside and pondered what to do. I made a couple of phone calls and finally reached our local Texas Parks and Wildlife office. The young lady took my information and said she would contact a game warden. She cautioned me not to touch or feed the fawn, and she told me the mother was probably not far away. Sometimes a young fawn will lie down to rest and the mother will stray away some distance. I guess the baby woke up, could not find its mother, and became distraught. 

Our pretty little day guest.

I can't imagine why the fawn came to our porch. We have lots of deer out here, as you've seen if you've followed my blog. But usually they are settled for the day someplace shortly after sunup. This occurred at lunch, so I can't figure out exactly how this happened. I was concerned that in this heat, the little thing might suffer too much at such a young age.

The fawn thought it was hidden here.

We kept checking on the fawn throughout the day. It never cried out again, but it did stay hunkered down in its hiding place beneath one of our planter stands. The last time I saw it was about 3:45 or so. When I checked about 4:30, it was gone. I guess mama found it; at least, I hope she did.

I was disappointed that no one from TPWD ever contacted me. I guess they don't watch Lone Star Law on television. 

And speaking of deer . . . .

Those scamps have had a good time with our plants this year. We've had several roses start to bloom, but they only last a day or so. The deer find them, and the next day there's nothing left but a stump. Below are some roses just beginning to bloom, but I doubt they will last long. Bambi and its mother will probably stop by for lunch.

These yellow roses are just beginning to bloom. Deer have eaten all the blooms so far this year.