White-tailed deer are a common sight in the city

It was a warm sunny Saturday, with blue skies when Carol and I went for a drive by the park.  As I backed up the car to turn around, I saw through my side mirrors a four- point white-tailed buck resting on the grass behind the tree.  Oh he was so beautiful.  The deer was long legged, elegant, graceful as it moved through the park.  Quietly we stood observing  the deer nibble on tree branches, leaves and flowers.  After watching the deer, I remember the gardeners at Rosetta McClain Park telling me the deer have come in the morning to eat the tulips!  Have you noticed any flowers missing?

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are commonly seen in the city. You will see them at dawn and dusk, in parks and on the roads, and down at the beach.  They have stark white underside and white buttocks. This ‘flag’ of the white-tailed deer is often glimpsed as the high spirited animal dashes away from people. A full grown male deer frequently surpasses one metre at shoulder height and 110 kilograms in weight.  The antlers of the mature male white-tail consist of a forward curving main beam from which single points project upward and often slightly inward.

While my husband and I were on holidays in British Columbia, we happened upon a doe and fawn.  The doe was feeding the fawn.  As they moved away from the side of the road the fawn ran on long wobbly legs, but kept mom in sight.  The doe leaves her fawn unattended for hours at a time. When the fawn remains sleeping in the high grasses, the natural camouflage of its spotted coat and its almost scentless condition effectively conceal it from predators.
Have you had any wildlife/birding encounters?  Send me an email at abrokelman@gmail.com.

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