"GOLDEN YEARS"

White-Tailed Deer (Doe & Youngster) - 7 Photos

These were two White-Tailed Deer of a grouping of five, walking through a small cut out creek from the river, enjoying the lush greenery, water access & for the youngster, a quick splash or two. All the deer seemed to appreciate the cool water and the brief walk before heading up the small slope for further grazing.

The photos were taken approximately 2 hours before sunset as the sun lit up the herd who were facing directly west, hence the golden tint.

Because of the intimacy and size differences of these two, I think they are mother & son (check out those new budding velvet covered antlers), her son being now just over one year old.  Perhaps, it was the springtime warmth or maybe even a case of new head gear, but this young male was certainly full of himself and very cheeky.

He followed his mother, occasionally butting her from behind & although Photo #4 & Photo #5 appear to show a youngster nuzzling up to his mother, he was actually pushing into her with his head, to the point of head butting. 

But like most mothers, she was extremely tolerant & eventually he became bored and continued his water splash (Photo #6 & Photo #7) and then onto grazing.

PHOTO #1

PHOTO #2

PHOTO #3

PHOTO #4

PHOTO #5

PHOTO #6

PHOTO #7