Over the weekend we started to notice this little one visiting our backyard and we were in awe. I had seen her in the woods behind our home trying to clean herself when I put the long lens on my camera and went out to the backyard. I squatted down, perfectly still, and click click click taking pictures of ehr in the woods. When she noticed me I was surprised that instead of running deeper into the woods she came running towards me. It was seriously amazing. The light was perfect. She was beautiful and I was in awe. click click click.
I called one of my cousins, very concerned about the welfare of this little one. He said if she wasn't crying out as if calling for her momma she was likely okay and would reunite with her momma at night.
Later in the evening I saw her again. I photographed her again. This time when she ran away I noticed [when I zoomed in on the photos] that her backside was bloodied. It was clear she was not well.
I got up at 5:45am, as usually, and took the dog on a short walk. When I came home Kelly told me to look out in the back. The fox was sitting, staring into the woods. I grabbed my camera and went out on the deck. Looking through the telephoto lens I saw what I never wanted to see. The precious fawn had fallen victim to the fox. Terribly, terribly sad.
The circle of life has run its course. Maybe the baby didn't have the strength to live. I just wanted to save her. Nurse her to be well. But it wasn't meant to be.
Today the fence, that we ordered over a month ago, is being installed. The wild animal adventures are officially over. In our backyard at least. Happy and sad at the same time. Loved seeing the baby deer so close and personal. Seeing the fox... not so much.
Happy thoughts.
