Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Friday, October 15, 2010

Mama and Babies


This  past Sunday about 12:30 p.m. when I was sitting on the sofa working on my coupons from the Sunday paper, AND watching football,  I glanced out the window --and guess what I saw????  I saw a Mama deer and her 3 little ones near the golf course fairway out back.  I hollered at George and both of us got out our cameras...  Here's what we saw!!!!!   Above is Mama watching us --while standing 'guard'...   You can see some of the Fall color which has 'popped out' just recently.  Below are more!








Here are the three babies  (not that young anymore) --enjoying some lunch!!!








Here is one of the little ones ---as he tries to eat,  but is watching us also!!!








Here's another picture of the little ones... Even the one who is eating --is looking at us.  Can you tell?????   Aren't they just gorgeous?








Another critter jumped into this picture... Can you see him?????  He's in the shade--but obviously, is paying no attention to the deer near him!!!!








This was a FIRST for us!!!!   Have you ever seen  a  Mama Deer feeding her little ones????   These three little guys just ran up to Mom and had a nice drink!!!!!  I was THRILLED to see this --since I had never seen it before.








I just have to share one more photo of the 'feeding'....  Mama was glaring at us ---but she stood still and allowed the little ones to enjoy a drink!!!!  I don't know when the Mama's  wean their little ones --but these guys were not 'that' young....  Anyone know????


Hope you enjoyed seeing our deer today...  As long as they stay away from our Roses (and they do --due to the "Liquid Fence" which we spray),  we LOVE seeing them.  


Our Fall colors are really beginning to show off now...  We had a fabulous trip yesterday to the Smokies.  We took about 200 pictures together---and will begin sharing some of them next week.  Hope you have a fabulous weekend --and get out and enjoy the beauty all around you.  See you on Monday morning!


Have a great day.
Hugs,

88 comments:

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

My teacher who lives in maryland tells me that it is illegal to shoot the deers there. Is it thesame where you are?

Anonymous said...

how absolutely delightful shots!

Anonymous said...

What sweet photos! That's amazing that you were able to capture these moments. Thanks for sharing with us. Can't wait to see your Smokies photos next week. It is really cold here this am - 42*

Hope you and George have a great weekend - you might get to use the fireplace!!!

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

What a treat to see these gorgeous shots this a.m....they are wonderful!!!

Valerie said...

Hey that is new to me too!
What a great couple of shots you got there.

Curious about your 'Liquid Fence" I would like to hear more about that - since I have quite a few deer that frequent my yard in the winter and usually empty my bird feeders during the night!!

Have a wonderful weekend! I know I am looking forward to mine!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Aw,these are so precious.To see them feed like that is a very special treat.Thanks for sharing that moment.
Get out there together and have a wonderful time.Cherish each moment.
Hugs,Ruth

Jane said...

How sweet!

Jane

Big Dude said...

Awesome shots Betsy - Isn't it nice to live near the wilderness where you can experience this.

Anonymous said...

I think they are beautiful creatures and love to watch them but if it were illegal to hunt them here we would be run over with them. They are everywhere, cause lots of wrecks, eat up our gardens, flowers, etc. My sister lives in town and they ate all her flowers this summer. We see them in town,on major highways, too. This one must have triplets. They seem to have twins and triplets quite often. They can become a nuisance fast but they are pretty and I loved the photos. Have a great weekend.

Anonymous said...

I think they are beautiful creatures and love to watch them but if it were illegal to hunt them here we would be run over with them. They are everywhere, cause lots of wrecks, eat up our gardens, flowers, etc. My sister lives in town and they ate all her flowers this summer. We see them in town,on major highways, too. This one must have triplets. They seem to have twins and triplets quite often. They can become a nuisance fast but they are pretty and I loved the photos. Have a great weekend.

Catherine said...

Oh these photos are just delightful Betsy ~ it would have been such a treat to see this live. Thank you so much for sharing this with us today.

Have a terrific weekend!
xo Catherine

Neal said...

I've never seen little deer feed from their mother....that's neat. It looks like they're about big enough to be on their own.

Arkansas Patti said...

Delightful pictures. That momma really has her "hands" full with three babies. Think three is a bit unusual and seeing all three eat at once is a rare shot. Well done.
Wonderful that the liquid fence really works. Otherwise you all would have to sleep with your roses.

Connie said...

How exciting! What a neat sight to see. Thank you for sharing these pictures, Betsy. Hope you and George have a great weekend! :)

Unknown said...

Wow! No, you do not see them feeding from Mamma very often. Very Nice! I can't wait until my sun room is done, and I can sit in a comfy chair watching the wild world pass by my backyard. I will probably have to look at a very sad Sadie wondering why she is on the outside looking in. Poor dog, but she stays outside.

Have a great weekend!

penny said...

The Mama and her babies such a delightful sight, Betsy. They are indeed gorgeous and hungry.
Great shots!

MadSnapper said...

amazing photos and amazing you saw these our your window and the drinking fountain is beyond amazing. and no, i have never seen deer drinking from the mother. i have see a baby horse drinking, does that count>

Susie said...

What great pics Betsy! Mama and babes are adorable!

Can't wait to see the Smokies thru your lenses.

Have a great weekend!

Susie said...

What great pics Betsy! Mama and babes are adorable!

Can't wait to see the Smokies thru your lenses.

Have a great weekend!

Carol Murdock said...

What great shots Betsy!! How was the color in the Smokies? We leave Sunday to go. We close on Monday and will be there all week! XOXO

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad that you got to see the babies feeding AND to capture great photographs of the event! We saw one baby feeding a long time ago. We were on Skyline Drive. It was just one baby and mama and was quite a distance from our car. Bob got a video of the feeding. The baby was young, still wobbly on its feet. When you see something like this, it goes right to your heart!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic Photos!! Nothing like that were I live in So. California :-(

~Ron

Snap said...

Beautiful! Mother Nature at her best with Mama and babes. Watched the Houston Zoo on National Geographic channel and they showed the birth of Baylor (the Asian elephant) ... WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW! Watching Moms and their Babes ... priceless!

Karin said...

These are National Geographic quality pictures! Getting a ring-side seat to watch triplets feeding has to be fairly rare experience. Thanks for being on the alert and having the cameras ready to 'shoot'! That's the kind of shooting I can handle, lol! Glad you enjoyed your trip to the Smokies - looking forward to see your treasures!

Have a lovely week-end!

Sharon said...

Great pictures! I would think this family is quite used to people, I think most of them are now. First time I've seen them nursing more than one - must be a drain for her!

We have some that eat in the field across from us, but I think they stay away from our yard (so far) because of the dogs.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

PHOTO OPPPPPPPPP!!!

Don't you just love it, when these appear?!?

Ginny Hartzler said...

I saw some of these on George's blog, he beat you to the punch! But love seeing it here, it is amazing. And truly a once in a lifetime experience!! I love the way the green and orange background is so pretty behind them. You need to chalk it WAY up there with one of the unexpected joys of life!! Yes, the babies do look big! I wonder if they would be like a human is at maybe one and a half? The grass looks so short, it doesn't seem they would get much food!

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

Wonderful!!!

Janie said...

Great photos of the babies nursing, Betsy! I would guess mom would have to wean them soon, they're getting so big. They all look very healthy though. I love their curious looks in the photographer's direction.

Cicero Sings said...

How fun to get a shot of fawns feeding -- not one not two buy THREE at once. What a great opportunity to be able to witness such s thing.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy,
I just wanted to let you know that I posted one of the pictures mama feeding the babies on my Facebook page. That picture too good not to share! If you see anyone coming to your blog from Facebook, that is happening because I linked to your blog :-)

Harriet said...

Great photos! Thanks for sharing all your trip photos and the ones from home! I would love to take a little trip to enjoy the fall colors but there doesn't seem to be enough time. When I'm out I try to enjoy the leaves I see around home.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Oh, oh, oh! I love to see deer and these photos are delightful. Thanks for having your camera at the ready! I'm going to hop over to George's blog to see other shots. What deer we do have in our community are quickly being driven out of their habitat by development. I don't know where they are going; so sad!

Linda said...

Wonderful shots. Theres a doe and two fawns in the city where we get supplies that always cross 1st street......at the intersection. I always think of them as city slickers.

Darla said...

Every time I visit here I just stare at the way autumn is rolling in on those hills in your header photo! How exciting to witness this special time with the deer.

Dorothy said...

And you shot these from home????
They are wonderful pictures! I've never seen deer nursing before! I knew deer sometimes have twins, but looks like this one had triplets! It's neat that the squirrel got in the picture, too!

Tabor said...

Wonderful photos of the deer even though I have mixed feelings about them and no, I have never seen them nursing...I do think you may need to net your rose soon, though.

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

Wonderful Betsy! Our Doe and her twins have come back several times since the first sighting! Of course we have a deer plot and leave mineral blocks out for them.
It is our 150 acres and we choose to feed them! So we have many deer coming by!

Wonderful day to you! xo, misha

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!! What I wouldn't give to see this outside my window any given day! Hugs and thanks for having me. Tammy

I Am Woody said...

What a special moment to capture! I have never seen a deer nurse her young either. She must have felt very comfortable in her surroundings. Great photos!!

imac said...

THat was really great to capture this Betsy. Well done.

Barbara said...

Oh how sweet, what a lovely family, hope no hunters get any of them this year, I have losts of them in our woods too, and I just pray yearly that they will make it through another year, thanks for sharing sweeite, really enjoyed it.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Wonderful photos Betsy! The deer look so beautiful and healthy and I never knew a doe could have three fawns all at once. I always thought they only had one fawn. I hope they make it through the winter! I'd be so worried about them if I lived there..lol

Have a good weekend! I look forward to seeing you photos of the Smokies!
♥ Pat

Jo said...

Beautiful shots, Betsy. Those are quite big "babies" still drinking on mama. That seems to be comfort food seeing as they graze already. Thanks for sharing this cute post. I cannot wait to see your "Smokies" photos next week. Hope you're having a great weekend. Blessings and hugs Jo

amelia said...

Cute pictures!! Poor mama deer. I wouldn't want to have these three hanging off my nipples and their age!!
My youngest granddaughter is two and still nursing and she doesn't want to give up either!!

Anonymous said...

D E E R & BABBIES!!!!!!!

Awwww! I don't know what else to say - that's soooo sweeeeet, Betsy!

Anonymous said...

I meant to type *BABIES* (not babbies) heheheee

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Simply fabulous!!!

Have a really good day in spite of the winds.

Together We Save said...

Amazing pictures!!

Kay said...

While up in Paradise, CA visiting my brother awhile back, we were driving over to the city park and a doe ran out in front of me as I was driving. Luckily I had seen her out of the corner of my eye before she ran across the road.

Fred Alton said...

The first photos of the mama deer feeding her young are winners! Those should be "magazine cover photos". Tennessee Sportsman's Mag should pay you something for them.?? WoW!

nanny said...

wonderful shots, Betsy.
I see mama and little ones often but never feeding them....that's great!

Diane said...

Those are rare and wonderful shots Betsy. I'm not sure but I think 3 is kind of unusual. And for you to get some nice pictures of them at feeding time is great. Diane

Diane AZ said...

Hi Betsy, It is a thrill for me to see your pictures of Mama Deer feeding her three babies! They sure do look big and healthy. Delightful post. :D

Ashley Ashbee said...

Wow, now isn't she a sight to happen upon! These shots are beautiful. She is so alert to her surroundings and attentive to her kids, yet graceful. Obviously, moms all over the animal kingdom have a lot to juggle. I'm happy you saw this and glad that you shared it. I'm sure you'll treasure it always, not that you haven't already had your share of adventure!

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

I've never seen nursing deer...amazing. And THREE of them?? She must be super-momma! Great pics, and what an adventure for you!

Lynda said...

WOW - - God definitely gave you - - and us - - - a big blessing today. I have never seen deer nurse before either. I am truly amazed they were around long enough for you both to get pictures. Aren't their eyes so pretty with the white circles around them?

Love Of Quilts said...

I enjoyed seeing your deers... that was a first for me to...great pictures. God Bless Trish

Sunny said...

I smiled all the way through your post. What sweet pictures of such dear creatures :)
Hope your weekend is delightful.
☼ Sunny

NENSA MOON said...

Amazing shot, Betsy!
I think you really blessed could find the moment when the mama deer was feeding their babies... and you could captured them...Woww!!
And its nice when you're watching them, they like had a feeling that someone was watching them... haha... it's you can captured one when he's glance at you with a question mark in his eyes... hehe

Thanks for sharing all that beautiful!
hugs,
nensa

RoeH said...

She had triplets??! Wow. I knew they occasionally had twins but didn't know about triplets. THAT POOR MOM!!! Just thinking about feeding times. She has all of my adoration! Darling photos. But when a deer is in the camera lens, how could it not be adorable. Love them.

From the Kitchen said...

That's a first--mama feeding the young ones! I love your "wild" photographs this morning!

Have a great weekend.

Best,
Bonnie

Reader Wil said...

You lucky woman! Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos! That's something we rarely see in my country!

Tipper said...

What a neat thing to see! I've never seen them feeding before-I'm so glad you captured it : )

KathyA said...

Admittedly, Betsy, they are beautiful creatures, but frankly I look at them as four-legged, destructive varmints!

cyclopseven said...

Another wonderful post from you. Thank you.

Kirigalpoththa said...

They have come so close to you!

Ida said...

Precious photos!!♥

Joe Todd said...

Outstanding photos Betsy.. Hope you are having a great weekend

Rose said...

fantastic photos. enjoyed mama feeding her babies. thanks for your comment on my post re listening. yes, being a listener vs talking is what people need at times. take care rose

Debbie Taillieu said...

Betsy, you and George truely live in Paradise!
What a great way to spend a day!

LV said...

Betsy, this is a great post on the deer. I have never seen many close up and especially little ones nursing. That is an adorable shot. My son would love seeing this sight. I do not understand how you get so many comments. Do you answer them all? Surely not. It would blow my mind if I got any thing close to what you and some of the others get.

carolina nana said...

What great pictures,I've never heard of a deer with 3 babies before. I know for sure that mama deer had only 2 nipples,some one was getting left out !!!
Hope you have a blessed weekend.
Marilyn

Beth said...

Incredible, simply incredible. Brightened up an already bright day. I too have never seen deer nurse their young. You two received an awesome gift, didn't you?
Such a great gift to us also!

LifeRamblings said...

absolutely gorgeous. A beautiful moment captured in time. I enjoy these very much. Thank you.

Sharodindu said...

beautiful post with great photographs!!
I liked all the photographs very much... Thanks for sharing :)

Richard said...

I really love this blog, JOY!! yes thats the perfect title for your blog. i really loved the posts( But i was able to read a couple of posts as of now, but i will read the entire blog soon ).

Thanks for spreading the joy and happiness to everyone.

We love you!

diane b said...

Such a special shot you've made with the babies feeding. I love their black shiny noses.

Busy Bee Suz said...

SO cute.
Mama's work is NEVER done!!!!

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

Very beautiful photos!

SquirrelQueen said...

Oh my goodness Betsy, I have seen lots of deer but I have never seen the young ones nursing either. That is a fantastic sight. They are all beautiful.

I like the little visitor to the deer photo. Squirrels just have to get in on the action.

SquirrelQueen said...

OK, either blogger ate my comment or you are moderating.

What I said was the shot of the little ones nursing is fantastic, that is something I have never seen either.

I like the visitor to your deer photos. Squirrels always want to get in on the action.

Kelly said...

Oh my gosh....what a beautiful sight...and right outside your window!!!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Aren't they amazing? Oh, they are precious, and I can't believe she has three babies! Does that seem like a lot to you? I thought they had one for some reason. That is a busy mother deer!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Pat said...

These are fabulous photos of the deer, Betsy! I have never seen three younguns of one deer try drinking mama's milk all at the same time!

I, too, use Liquid Fence to keep the deer from eating everything in sight. They are lovely looking creatures, but such pests here! They come right up on our front porch and eat my potted plants, if I haven't sprayed with Liquid Fence recently

asa said...

've seen this in my place (botanical garden), lots of animals deer

DayPhoto said...

Great photos! I knew deer could have triplets, but have never really 'seen' them.

Linda
htttp://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

ruthinian said...

Oh Deer! those photos are awesome! I love them. There are lots of deer around here but I never get the chance to shoot one... with my camera of course! wink**** I love the photos where mama deer is feeding the little ones it was the first for me too to see such amazing photo... and the squirrel was successful to steal the limelight from the deer... hahaha thanks for sharing this though i am so jealous of you.