Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Wild and Tame

Yesterday, about mid-morning my hubby came to the back door and called, "Put on your boots and bring your camera!" I hurried out to find him waiting on the tractor. He drove up behind the barn and showed me what he'd found in the long grass: This beautiful fawn!

We took a few minutes to locate it because it was well hidden. Actually he found it in the first place because he'd almost run over it!

Isn't it the sweetest thing?

Of course, the poor little baby was afraid, and ran away from me.

It didn't get too far before it flopped down again.

Posted by Picasa
What a face!

You can imagine the urge I had to pick it up and cuddle it :) I didn't, of course, but I couldn't resist a few strokes on that sweet little head. It "bwaaed" at me a couple of times, but seemed to calm down pretty quickly when I talked quietly to it.

I took about 30 pictures before I managed to tear myself away and leave the dear little creature alone.
Nature is wonderful, isn't it?

Here's where the fawn lay in the grass....not far from that post.
You had to be right above it to spot it.

When my hubby drove the tractor up behind the barn today, he saw the mother deer pop up out of the grass and run away, so she and the fawn must be hanging out there.
Maybe I'll be lucky enough to get another look at the baby before they move on.

Looking back toward the barn

Old machinery decorates the pasture here......like this unhandy rake, that is no longer in use. Posted by Picasa

Some of the machinery is still used, and some isn't. Posted by Picasa

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On the way back I stopped to check the hay mow (top floor of the barn).

Sheba, one of our barn cats, had 3 kittens about 6 weeks ago but she hid them after 2 days and I haven't been able to find them.

Here she is with the kittens and Chloe, her mother, who is about 13 years old.

Newborns Posted by Picasa

This was my lucky day!
I called Sheba and she jumped over a low partition. When I checked the area she'd come from there they were!


This little girl was not afraid at all, but the other two (boys) were scaredy cats, although I did manage to pick them up and cuddle them. It'll take a little while to tame those two.

The little boy who looks like his sister (the other is pure black) wanted to escape and ran away from me after I put him down. He climbed up on a window, which is actually just a rectangular hole cut in the barn wall, so there's no sill. I didn't dare walk toward him for fear I'd frighten him and cause him to fall out the hole. Suddenly he slipped and hung outside by one paw, meowing in panic! I ran over and thankfully, was able to reach out and grab him.
Good grief...talk about a heart attack! Posted by Picasa
After apologizing for nearly scaring the poor little kitten to death, I left him and the others in peace.

I hope Sheba brings them downstairs soon so they can begin eating with the other cats, and I can work on taming the two boys.

I must say all in all, it was a great day!
And I might add that we've had two beautiful, sunny days with temperatures in the 80's (26ºC)!
Who could ask for anything more?

My husband says thanks so much for all the birthday wishes.
I really appreciate each and every one of your comments. Thanks for visiting!

38 comments:

Mountain Mama said...[Reply]

The fawn and kittens are so precious. Apparently you love these litle critters just like I do.
Farming is hard work. I respect those who can do it. I used to live on a small farm with cows, horses, pigs and chickens as well as the kids pets, a lamb, dogs, cats and a skunk. It was a wonderful life.
The trellis is just precious.

Christy Woolum said...[Reply]

Wow! What treasures to photograph today. I would love to get that close to a fawn.

Val said...[Reply]

Oh I just can't get over you having the opportunity to see that fawn up close. How beautiful it is, almost unreal.

And the cats and kittens - this has to be the awwwwwww post of the year, Kerri.

Alice said...[Reply]

Those photos of the fawn are just so beautiful. I'm amazed that you could ever tear yourself away from it. I think that face must be the most perfect face in the entire animal kingdom.

What a thrill to be able to get so close, take so many photos and even have a small pat.

They are so lovely that I'll have to do something with them so I can see them often.

Thank you, thank you, to Ross for calling you to come and photograph them. I guess he knew how mad you'd be if he just told you about them without calling you to come and see!

I loved the farm photos, too. Sorry I haven't replied to that email - been too busy out looking for a farm just like yours to buy...lol. I couldn't find one so you'll just have to keep sharing yours with me.

Susie said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri,
What a delightful read this was this morning: a fawn, cats, kittens a beautiful farm and sunshiney weather.
That fawn was so sweet and precious. I would have wanted to cuddle a bit too!!
All this and your sweet voice, which I could hear as I read this, telling the story.
Enjoy your wonderful weather! We're about 10º warmer here. The garden is growing like crazy!!
(Take a peek at my amayrillis when you get a moment..)
love and hugs!!

Geraldo said...[Reply]

Bambi in the backyard and kittens in the barn! Can you imagine there are people that prefer to live in apartments?
I hope you can take more pictures of them!

sonia a. mascaro said...[Reply]

Wow! Just great photos, Kerri! Wild and tame, side by side! That's is wonderful!

Cris said...[Reply]

Awesome Kerri! I am going to show these photos to my kids when they get back from school! Love the old machinery you have, I am a big fan of these things, your farm is just sooo beautiful!

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...[Reply]

oh beautiful..the fawn is such a delightful li'l thing ....i cud not have stopped my self from cuddling it too..and the kitty babies..they are adorable too.....I can tell you how much I love to come here to your blog, Kerri :)

Laurie and Chris said...[Reply]

Deer are so cute when they are that little. It must be pretty new. Those spots sure are bright. I hope you get to see it again.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

What a fantastic experience Kerri. Cheers for sharing some photos of it.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri,
I find that my heart rate calms down whenever I read your blog. You seem to be the happiest person I've "met" in a long time.

The photos of the fawn are just precious. I've never seen one. Nature is a marvel, as is the very special relationship between humans and animals.

Linda said...[Reply]

What fun Kerri. My husband and I found a little fawn the other day too. It looked like it was just a newborn.
I just love the pictures. That is beautiful country.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Arhg, I didn't mean to publish my e-mail address! That was a mistake. I hope I don't get spammed to death.

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...[Reply]

The day befor yesterday while on my cycle I noticed that the wild daisies were in bloom in the fields and I thought to myself that little fawns are being born and are hiding in there among the daisies...What perfect cover for them with their little spots.

You took some fantastic pictures and how wonderful that you got to pet the little darling fawn. I've never gotten that close to one before. We just see mother & baby as they scamper off.

I love to watch cats interact with the new babies. We've seen aunts stay and babysit the kittens while the mother cat is off hunting. If left alone and allowed to raise their young all the cats participate in raising the kittens. I love to watch them.

Philosophical Karen said...[Reply]

Oh, my goodness! A fawn and kittens. Such wonderful finds. We have a cat now. A single cat, having no barn to keep multiple cats in. She is a handful, and we just got her fixed so there will be no kittens. Yours are so cute. I love the blue eyes! (Do they stay that way or is it just a kitten thing?)

Sigrun said...[Reply]

Kerry, what a Cutie! And the little Kitty, you can be lucky, to live there.

Sigrun

JunieRose2005 said...[Reply]

Kerri,


These pictures are just so wonderful!
The baby deer is precious and so are the kitties!

My goodness-and those farm pictures are great! I will have to remember to show my husband these!

AND-I have to remember to put you on my blogroll so I remember to come here more often!!!

You have a beautiful life!! :)

Junie

Unknown said...[Reply]

Awww.... awww... awww... I can imagine that it took you a while to tear yourself away from that dear little fawn, Kerri. I can't stop myself from scrolling back up and looking at it, either. :)

Anonymous said...[Reply]

What great fawn photos-to get so close! I wonder where Bambi's mama was?
The 3 generations of kitties is also precious.

Rebecca said...[Reply]

How incredibly beautiful to be able to be so close up to such a tiny creature...what a moment!

Lis vom Lindenhof said...[Reply]

These are lovely photographs, there is so much beauty in the natural world
Lis

Judypatooote said...[Reply]

What precious pictures you have... The deer is a dear...hehe....and that kitty picture is priceless.. the one where he/she is on a log....

I hope you have a very good Memorial Day weekend....and don't work to hard.....

Ladyseashells said...[Reply]

Awww!! what a delightful DAY for you Kerri, to find the fawns and the kittens and to have lots of sunshine .And then be able to take a shot of the fawn's face. Beautiful photography.

Midlife Mom said...[Reply]

Oh what beautiful pictures as always! You had quite a day for yourself! That fawn is just adorable, I would have had a hard time not touching it too. We had one run through the yard a couple years ago and go right up on my
FIL's front porch and right down the back steps and into the woods again! I managed to get one picture thankfully! The kittens are just so sweet! What do you do with all of them? I remember as a child hunting for new kittens in my grandparents barn!

clairesgarden said...[Reply]

cute kitten, I think I can see he has his extra cute toes too.

Tammy said...[Reply]

What sweet pictures of a wee Bambi!
Of course I love the kitty pictures too!
:)

Charley "Apple" Grabowski said...[Reply]

What an awesome opportunity to meet the fawn and great pictures to boot. The kittens are cute too. I'm betting they'll be cutting up in the garden before too long.

The weather last week was perfect! We're getting much needed rain here today.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Sometimes a baby deer gets separated from their mother or something happens to her. My daughter feeds several deer. They have had to feed babies goat milk ( I believe it was) and take them to a place where people raise them. One of the deer came running, crying beside their fence- and then her husband found another one in the field. I don't know if they will have anything to do with them after humans have handled them.
I hope yours will be okay. :-)

OldRoses said...[Reply]

The fawn photos are incredible. I didn't know that deer came out into such open areas. I always thought they were more edges of the woodlands animals.

Naturegirl said...[Reply]

OMG the photos of the babies.. fawn kittens even mommys just warmed my heart! Thank you for sharing! hugs NG

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Kerri, what incredible photos! I can see you're having a blast with the new camera. :) And wow, I've never come upon a fawn like that. It must be only a few days old to be so unsure on its feet. I sure hope the mother came back to take care of it. And your cats are just adorable; what a sweet kitten she is with the blue eyes and very large paws! :)

David (Snappy) said...[Reply]

Wow, that Fawn is soooooooooooo cute Kerri.They are beautiful photos.Cant say anymore.Awesome nature is!
ps I love your Barn Cats.They are like a tribe.

CountryGirl said...[Reply]

You take such wonderful photos! I can't wait to show the ones of the fawn and kittens to my step daughter. She loves animals and especially babies. It is neat that you still enjoy the sweet moments on the farm and they have not become common place.

Nabeel said...[Reply]

awwwwwwwwwwww what cute animals .. the kitties and the baby kittens and the little huggable dear .. did you hug them and kiss them? If not, can you please !

Boxwood Cottage said...[Reply]

Oh my oh my this little Bambi baby is just too cute for words! *sigh* Fabulous pictures Kerri and of the kittens too! Thank you! Carol xox

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri

What a brilliant sight:)

I can tell you from experience that I think you did the right thing to leave the fawn.

I was a 19 year old working on Lower Roundhurst Farm and the bottom of Blackdown, Haslemere England.

I found a fawn too and made the mistake of taking the family I worked for to see it.

We all thought (wrongly) that the mother had abandoned it so we took it back to the farm to care for it where unfortunately it died.

It was a harsh lesson to learn and I now know that the mother would have been keeping an eye on it.

I love your blog too :) and I have bookmarked you. You are passionate about your blogging I can see and live in a wonderful spot.

I am English but now live in France with my family.

We moved here in 2004 and are renovating an old French farm.

www.perigordvacance.com.

A bit of a slog but well worth it:)

I have not the time to do any gardening yet which frustrates me but I need to see off the building works first and then I can post to my Landscape Juice blog with some examples.

We have a few vegetables, mainly onion and Garlic for cooking with but asparagus and potato and tomato.

All the best


Phil Voice
France

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri

Any news on the fawn? I hope you continue to see it grazing around the farm and it is much bigger now.

Your garden is really looking nice and colourful:)

Whilst I am a gardener by profession I am too into the renovations of the farm to lay out any borders or plant too much but I hope that will change after the kitchen is finished!!

Best regards


Phil

www.landscapejuice.com
www.perigordvacance.com