Family Gathering

I have watched over the last couple of days as the bucks have been arriving.  The doe with the fawns at first chased the bucks away but they would not go far and just stand and watch.  Gradually, the doe have permitted the bucks to come closer.  It makes me think that these are perhaps the fathers of the fawns.  One of the fawns attempted to engage one of the bucks in play but no-go.

Fawnanza

First there was one, then two and yesterday, a third fawn arrived.  The new doe arrived with fawn in tow and became aggressive towards the two doe that had already brought their fawns up.  Even the new fawn came in with an attitude but both were quickly put in their place by the two doe that had already been visiting.

Around noon today I went out and set up the trail camera hoping to get a shot of all three fawns together.  Shortly after 1500 when I put some food out they all arrived.  The old timers arrived first and settled in to eat.  As the newcomers arrived, they came up slowly today.  The old timers stopped eating and watched them carefully as they arrived.

I was able to get one shot on the trail cam of all three fawns.  The new fawn then moved directly in front of the trail cam and blocked all other shots.  The two standing side by side on the left are so close they almost look like one.

The newcomers did not stay long and soon things were back to normal.

Bullfrog and the Bird

I was out early cleaning up camping equipment from the weekend when I noticed the Bullfrog sitting by the fountain.  I could see something in its mouth and at first assumed it was probably a dragon fly.

I thought to myself that it must be one heck of a dragon fly in size and started looking closer.  Of course I went inside to get the camera.  Sorry the photos are a little blurred but it was still pretty shaded in that area.  Was I surprised!

I could not believe the frog had gotten a bird but sure enough, feathers were sticking out.  When I first started trying to photograph it the feathers were sticking out more but the photos were too blurry.  I finally came in to get the flash to try for a better shot.

The frog was fat with whatever bird it had caught.  I had never really minded the frog being in the fountain but I may have to give consideration to trying to catch it.  It has been in the fountain for several years and this is the first time I have ever seen it with a bird.

Doe and Fawn

This afternoon I looked out the window and saw the doe and fawn across the street.  That neighbor also puts some corn out for the deer.

The fawn pretended to eat some while the doe was focused on eating.

Eventually the fawn became bolder and bolder and took off running across the yard.  It would run out about 40 feet or so then turn around and run back to its mom.  It would jump, twist and kick up its heels.  It was so cute I just had to let out a little giggle.





Testing boundaries, the fawn began to wander in the street  (at the end of a dead end street so no worries on getting hit).....













eventually making it over to my yard.














Mom soon realized that her fawn had wandered off past her comfort point and came running.  She gave the little fawn a nip and they moved off into the woods.

Birding Outing

The trip to the river Monday yielded lots of bird sightings.  I really enjoyed the trip and getting out to see what was around.  Lots of young birds that were born this year were feeling their oats and very active.

A few of the sightings:

female Orchard Oriole

Indigo Bunting

male Orchard Oriole

female American Redstart

Yellow-throated Warbler

immature Northern Parula