Well, what an afternoon with Beatrice! She was being so good, staying in her spot until too much noise seemed to spook her. My lawnmower guys came and I told them to keep a wide berth. They kept a very wide berth and Bea did not seem to mind. But then my neighbor started to mow his yard, etc., etc., and in an instant she was up and running, or as fast as her new legs would take her. I was mortified. I felt if she kept running she’d never make it back to the spot where her mother left her.
I told my mowers, who were almost finished, to leave until next time, and asked my neighbor to stop for a while. Fortunately, Beatrice ran to our front tree island — evergreens, crabapples, hydrangeas, so good coverage, and collected herself. She started sniffing around, maybe trying to get her bearings.
Slowly she made her way back — not to the spot where she had been lying, but to another row of evergreens that separates our house from the neighbors. But…it wasn’t far off from where she had lain before.
Beatrice changed places a few times and then settled down in the later afternoon in what looked to be a cozy spot. I felt confident that if the mother returned from the back yard, Bea would see her.
too 
cute
I only took a break for dinner and then was back outside. So again, I planted myself on the covered porch, birding binoculars in hand.
Maybe around 7 pm or a little after, I noticed movement. No longer content with her current position, sniffing all the while, she made her way out to the green, fluffy grass. Not more than five yards from where she originally was, Beatrice plunked herself down to wait.
I truly believe that her instincts, as the day started to wane and nightfall crept closer, directed her to get back, as close as she could, to the spot where her mother left her.
9:45 pm: Rustling, maybe a huff. I sat stock still with my binoculars glued to my eyes, focusing directly on Bea. Sure enough, Bea stands up and runs over to her mother, standing about 15 yards away. I could even hear her pitter-patter of hooves running. A long suckle, a lick from doe to fawn, a long drawn breath from me, and all was right with the world. They trotted off, mom in the lead, waiting, Bea catching up — over and over again, until I couldn’t see them anymore. And that was it. What a beautiful experience. Nature at it’s finest.
Remember: if you care, leave it there. Nobody says you can’t watch!
If you ever have questions about wildlife, please call your state’s Department of Natural Resources.
#fawn #newbornfawn #fawningrass #nature #naturesfinest
A Gardener's Diary 