“Hey Mom, What About the Ones With Only Two Legs”?

Blacktail Doe and Fawn, Point Reyes National Seashore
A blacktail fawn looks up to its mother; Point Reyes National Seashore.

“Can they run?  Are they dangerous?”  OK, deer don’t talk per se.  Do you ever wonder how animal parents teach their offspring how to survive?    The young learn a lot by just watching their mother and doing what she does.  That makes it relatively easy to learn what to eat.  Taste also informs them.  But what about things like the first time they see a coyote or us?  Is it pure instinct to go on alert?  I think so.  But I also know deer can vocalize.  I’ve heard it.  I know they also stamp their hooves when they are alerted to danger.  I’ve seen that.  I wonder what other ways a doe communicates with her offspring.

Columbia Blacktail Fawn with Unusual Coat

Two Columbia blacktail fawns explore their world.
Columbia Blacktail Fawns, Point Reyes National Seashore

I went looking for some more fawns to photograph yesterday.   I found these two.  One has a dark saddle.  It is most noticeable when viewed from behind.

Photo of Columbia Blacktail fawn with unusual coat.
Blacktail Fawn with Unusual Coat, Point Reyes National Seashore

I don’t know if this is very unusual or not, but it looks unusual to me.