• Friday-What'sUP June 28 - 07:48 am

The pond at our farm is a magnet for wildlife, so I always try to keep my camera handy, with my large telephoto lens attached. Recently that paid off with a shot of two different mom's and their babies.

We knew the doe in the first set of photos had a baby somewhere nearby, because we saw her several times during the day, up near the pond and she would be watching us watch her. Then finally when we weren't paying attention so much, she took her fawn out for a stroll around the pond. It can't be very old, because it is just so tiny yet, barely reaching to mom's underside. I was thankful for the zoom lens on my camera that enabled me to get a few decent shots, while not disturbing the little family.

Not too long after the doe and fawn disappeared, I spotted a sandhill crane near the pond. At first glance, I thought the doe had returned, but then realized it was that giant bird. I watched as she strutted through the tall grass and then I noticed the long neck and heads of two babies with her. How neat to see those fuzzy chicks, too. They were harder to get a photo of, because for some reason, when they sense you looking, they know to hide. Very clever of their mom to have taught them that trick. I did manage to get a couple decent shots though, again thanks to the zoom lens allowing me keep my distance in my kitchen doorway, where these two mom's then felt comfortable enough to take their babies out for some lessons on life in the wild.

Love your pictures Mary! That Fawn is not too old, so tiny. A Doe and her Fawn(s) are always an awesome sight. Tuesday I saw a Doe and her Fawn run through our field. Reminds me somewhat of when our cows had their spring calves.

Excellent pix...nature sure is grand!

how relaxing that looks.

Sweet shots, Mary. Thanks for sharing your 'find'.

Excellent pic's!

Mary, Congrats, on your 8 year anniversary with Lutheran!
Mary says: Thanks, Uncle Chuck! :-)

Wow, that is one small fawn. Great shots. Those sandhill cranes are all over the place. When I was growing up I didn't even know what a sandhill crane was, let alone seeing one.

What great pics today. I love the Keweenaw wildlife!

Love these!! Thanks, Mary!