A Mother’s Instinct: A Deer Family on the Tanglefoot Trail
Yesterday morning, Terry and I were riding our bikes south on the Tanglefoot Trail when, all of a sudden, a big buck deer leaped across the trail ahead of us!
We were probably 200–300 feet away, but we stopped immediately. When you see one deer cross the trail, there’s always a chance more will follow, and we certainly didn’t want to startle any animals that might be nearby.
Sure enough, after waiting a little while, I noticed some movement in the tall grass on the left side of the trail.
And that’s when the real show began.
A Mother’s Watchful Eye
A beautiful doe stepped out of the grass and stopped right at the edge of the trail, looking straight in our direction.
She stood perfectly still, one front leg raised slightly, almost frozen in place. She seemed to be studying us, waiting to see what we were going to do next.
We stayed where we were, watching and waiting.
Then, as though she’d decided the coast was clear, she started across the trail.
And right behind her came two beautiful little fawns!
Two Little Fawns Following Mama
The little ones had been waiting quietly in the grass, and they didn’t make a move until their mother did.
But once she started across, off they went! Those two little fawns bounded across the pavement right behind her and disappeared into the woods on the other side.
It happened so quickly, but what a beautiful sight.
I was especially struck by how the little ones seemed to know exactly what to do. They stayed hidden and still while their mother watched, then followed her without hesitation.
Nature Knows What to Do
I couldn’t help thinking about the buck that had crossed ahead of them. Was he part of the same family? We couldn’t know for certain, but the whole scene almost looked coordinated.
In my imagination, he was saying, “Stand down, everybody. My family needs to cross!”
Of course, deer don’t necessarily operate according to our human ideas of family life. But watching that doe remain alert while her fawns waited nearby was a beautiful reminder of the protective instincts animals have.
Nobody had to teach those little ones to wait quietly in the grass or follow their mother across the trail. Their behavior was a wonderful example of how wildlife responds to its surroundings.
Sometimes I think we humans could learn a thing or two from the animals.))
You Never Know What You’ll See
Most mornings on the Tanglefoot Trail, I’m watching for birds to photograph. They were pretty scarce yesterday, but I certainly can’t complain about what we saw instead!
And the deer weren’t my only photography subjects. I also spotted a fox squirrel stretched out along a tree, looking quite comfortable.
Another Morning to Remember
This is exactly why I never get tired of riding the Tanglefoot Trail. You can travel the same stretch of pavement a hundred times and still never know what might be waiting around the next bend.
Yesterday it was a beautiful doe and her two little fawns, a watchful moment at the edge of the trail, and another reminder of just how fascinating nature can be.
See you on the trail!
