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Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Synchronistic Moments

We had a fawn born near our house two nights ago by one of the does who frequents the roses that come through the trellis and the shelter that she knows she finds here with nobody chasing her away. Because of deer is why I have fences in the yard. I liked being able to look out at the flowers and see only space behind them and tried everything else first; but in the end, peaceful coexistence came because of fencing what I wanted to see bloom and turning my head the other way when everything else is nibbled on. (The one that mystifies me the most is why sword ferns that I have replanted from forests nearby are more tasty than the ones still in the forest. Is it forbidden fruit?)

The fawn is gorgeous with all the spots, long spindly legs and a little shaky but it's up and following mama. No photos because by the time I get the camera, they are heading on past and I don't want to disturb mama from thinking this is a safe haven. Beyond is not so safe for her with the coyotes and cougars and if she panics, running across the nearby highway wouldn't be safe either; so I admire her from a distance but don't move fast when I see her.

Yesterday afternoon I heard the loud scream of like a wounded rabbit, maybe a strange bird. As I ran out of the house, I thought it possible a lamb or cat was being strangled or had been attacked by something.

Down the driveway, there was the black cat staring intently toward the orchard and beyond him were the doe and her newborn. I stopped as I watched the newborn run to the doe and begin to nurse. No camera, of course, but it was a special moment for me to be that close, to have the doe see me and yet not be afraid to nurse her baby. I backed off and left them alone and hope they headed back into the thicket down toward the creek.

I am not sure what caused the panic from the fawn but am pretty sure it was the fawn who screamed. It must have felt very threatened, and I have wondered if it had suddenly come upon the black cat-- who was still looking, until he saw me, like he was considering whether the fawn was fair game.

The photos here are of two Red-breasted Sapsuckers who have been favoring our trees out front. I am not a bird expert but one looks more mature than the other. Since I would assume the female would be more brown like other woodpeckers, (but don't know and if anyone else does, I'd love to hear) my feeling is this might be a parent and less mature sapsucker.
When I looked through my books for exactly what the bird was, I learned that the holes the sapsucker makes-- which I've seen on those trees, but never known why, help hummingbirds when they travel north each spring before sometimes sufficient flowers are out for their sustenance. The hummers can use those holes to get sap to keep them going. More of the synchronicity of nature.

8 comments:

robin andrea said...

Newborns are the quintessential picture of innocence. When I worked at the university in Santa Cruz, I had the great fortune to be in a building at the edge of a wide meadow. There were always deer in the meadow. I knew the does that would have a single baby, and the one that would have twins every year. I watched fawns nurse, I watched them leap and run with pure joy and exuberance. It is always a delight to see them. How wonderful for you that you have this opportunity. Thanks for shaking my "memory apple tree" too!

Lovely sapsucker photos.

Dick said...

Wildlife photos are a challenge but yours here look good. I hope you will be able to get some photos of the fawn & its mother. Let's also hope they will leave enough of your garden for you to enjoy while still having enough to eat.

Mary Lou said...

I have deer in the woods behind me, but they only come out at night, because of all the dogs behind the fences. Those sapsuckers are really cool! I have baby Hairy woodpeckers and Downy woodpeckers already, so that may indeed be a baby!

Anonymous said...

What a special place you live, Rain, to have all of nature in your yard. I do know that deer can be pests, but they are also so beautiful. Sure hope you get a photo soon and that nothing happens to Bambi or mom.

Anonymous said...

Such a wonderful sight to see! Alan mentioning hummingbirds and geese, the same story gets passed around here and yes, there are a few that tuly believe it. I miss seeing the "daily" wildlife that I did while on the farm but do love what I am able to capture here on the Island both with my eyes and camera. Again, thanks so much for sharing some of your everyday sights with us.

Rain Trueax said...

I'm glad you all liked the pictures. So far the deer has not posed for me but if she does, I'll definitely share it.

That's funny on the hummingbirds and geese. Now in our area, we have noticed that the vultures and hummingbirds always leave and come back within the same week to this valley... hmmmmmmmmmmmm

goldenlucyd said...

Rain,
Your posts are such a pleasure for me to read. I feel as though I'm really sharing in the wonder. Yes, you are most fortunate to have spent your life in paradise. Thanks for sharing.
lucyd

Ingineer66 said...

That is really nice rain.....A guy I work with had to set up a sprinkler on a motion sensor to spray them to try and keep them away from his peach tree he tried many other things unsuccesfully but that seemed to work.