I took this photo early on a recent foggy morning, looking down from the house. That’s one of our regular farm “residents,” a deer who Alayne named Sienna for her coloring. We think she’s the same girl who was born here last year and spent most of her days hanging out in the pastures and hayfields adjacent to whichever field we had the goats in. She was a tiny thing then, this lone little fawn standing in the middle of a field, watching us walk by with the goats. She never ran or tried to hide, but always stood her ground and just watched.
We used to see her mother with her a lot in the beginning, but by late summer we never saw her again. We don’t know what happened to her, but we worried if her fawn could survive on her own at that age. Her survival strategy, it turned out, was staying very close to our goats. She must have felt safe with them nearby, and with the presence of our Maremma livestock guardian dogs keeping potential predators away, it worked. We last saw her in early winter, on one of the final days we had the goats out browsing.
We were relieved when she reappeared this spring. She resumed where she left off … hanging around our fields near the goats, in the woods around the house, and as you can see, by the pond. She usually starts her mornings by the pond, then ventures farther out. Elegant and agile in her movements, she has never taken down the electric fence — which, given her daily meanderings, she could do every time she crosses the boundary. For that I am very grateful!
—
2014 Shelter Challenge Underway
The latest round of the Shelter Challenge for 2014 is underway. It began July 14 and ends September 21. You can vote every day at http://www.shelterchallenge.com/. To search for us, type in our name, Rolling Dog Farm, and Lancaster, NH 03584. We’ve won thousands of dollars in the previous contests, so your daily votes do bring in serious money for our disabled animals!
Please note that I cannot help with technical or voting problems. If you find yourself having issues, please consult their FAQ page and their Rules page.
Thanks for your votes!
Love the deer! They are beautiful creatures……….good name choice, too, Alayne.
Isn’t it nice when you get the same outdoor animals year after year? I’m lucky to have that in my yard also. I’m sure they come back because they get fed, but still. They’re a joy to watch.
So, now RDF also means Roaming Deer Farm. 🙂
This reminded me of the wild critters you had in Montana like the skunk. What was her name??? Annie I think. And there was another animal that came around often. A coyote wasn’t it? You two are wild animal whisperers! But you’re surely correct in saying your guard dogs make your place feel safe for all. I wonder where she went for the winter?
She’s very pretty. She probably doesn’t realize how lucky she is, having a professional bodyguard service and all. Let’s just hope she doesn’t tell all her friends…
She’s beautiful. Life in the wild really does take its toll. We see a lot of deer when we go out early in the morning. I always wonder what happens to them. They don’t run from me and my shelties – they stand and wait for us to pass, unless we are really, really close. They seem as interested in us as we are in them. Beautiful, peaceful animals.
What a smart little lady!
You are a sanctuary for all!
It seems that Sienna feels safe there…isn’t that a wonderful feeling? Glad she’s back with you this year 🙂
Poetry in motion.
Sienna is beautiful…love her name! It is something special to see wildlife so close in our backyard as well…..enjoy!