Sad story from Kelowna

[Alan Milnes]

Many urban areas in the Interior of British Columbia have an overpopulation of mule deer. The resident deer love my yard because of its proximity to a vineyard right next door. On my way outside recently early in the morning a pair of fawn twins and mom were cavorting in the yard munching on some native plants. The fawns saw me and skittered into the middle of yard looking back when they stopped to determine where I was. I ignored them and carried on to my work site (bathroom reno). A few moments later as I returned to the main house to get some supplies I noticed mom in distress in the front yard. I investigated and found one of fawns lying on the ground, gasping, bleeding from the mouth. A few moments later it died. On close inspection there was no evidence of trauma other then fresh blood from the mouth. Its death remains a mystery. Mom hung around for a few moments, munched on a few flowers and then departed with the other fawn. It is now a week later and they have not returned.

The nuthatches are frequent visitors to the Ponderosa Pine trees. They are quite skittish but when preoccupied with searching for insects they can be photographed at close range. Comments and criticisms appreciated

 

[Trevor G]

so sad about the fawn. The bird with the nut is real good.

 

[Ann S]

Oh what a sad story and a sad photo too.

 

[Ryan10]

powerful first image. I would assume poisonous vegetation for death, but then again, I'd also assume all three eat the same thing.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Sad story indeed.