It’s been a while since I got deer pictures!

Some days, we’ve seen none at all.  A couple of times, I’ve seen a lone deer in the evening, slow to come over, quick to run away.  My husband sometimes sees them around dawn, but none have been coming over during the day, and none of the regulars.

Tonight, however, we had visitors!

I spotted them as I went into the living room, coming in from the opposite direction we usually see them.  Two smaller deer in front, and a larger one somewhat behind.  Unfortunately, my coming into the living room startled them, and they ran off – the two smaller deer one way, the larger one the other.

The smaller ones didn’t go far, though.  I managed to position myself and the camera as they slowly came in.  Eventually, I could see the third one, going into the spruces from the other side of the pallet pile, then making it’s way through the trees to the garden area, before finally coming around from the other side.

The first of the little ones was looking very rough!

Aside from the burrs, there appear to be missing patches of fur, and it looks like his ribs are sticking out!

Notice the antler nubs?

The second deer made its way over, and in this picture, is watching the third deer going through the trees.

The male doesn’t look as beat up on this side!

The third deer came around and they fed for a while, but they were very nervous and kept looking out way, as well as at what I figure were cats around behind the house.  Unfortunately, with our light on, there was nothing to hid our own movements.  My husband moved an arm to pick up his water bottle, and off they ran!

Once again, though, they did not go far.  I could see them grazing on the far side of the wood pile and…

Was that a fourth deer?

Sure enough, it was.

After a while, all four of them came over to feed.  By this time, it was too dark for photos, but I could still see them fairly well.  There was something familiar about the battered face of the fourth one.

It wasn’t until I uploaded the pictures that I was able to confirm that yes, these are deer we’ve had before!

There’s the little one with the scars on either side of its snout.  The fourth one, with the battered face, is the one I’d identified as her mother, the last time they were here.

I’m happy that they came back, though they do look the worse for wear!

Though I’d put plenty of feed out in the morning, the birds had been at it all day, so there wasn’t a lot left by evening.  Since the deer are coming very early in the morning, and in the evening (if they come at all), we’ve decided we will start leaving more feed out in the evening, instead of the morning.  That way, the evening visitors will get feed, but there should still be plenty in the morning, since the birds won’t be eating it during the night.

So after the deer left, but before it got too dark, I went to put out a bucket of feed.  As I was coming around the house, I was startled by the weird, loud, breathy cough, and the sound of hooves.  All for of them had been in the garden area!

As they ran off in opposite directions again, and this is clearly a family group, I expect they’ll make their way back to join each other.  Maybe even back to the fresh feed I just left out! :-)

The Re-Farmer