Yesterday I shared the magical moment I witnessed between twin white-tailed fawns and their mother near the Ouachita National Forest (Twin Fawns Near Ouachita National Forest). Today, I wanted to focus on the doe herself and share an interesting behavior I observed.
As the doe led her fawns through the trees, I noticed she kept pausing to look up into the branches above her. Following her gaze, all I could spot were birds fluttering among the leaves. She didn’t seem alarmed, just intrigued as she watched the birds for several moments before moving on.
I managed to capture a photo of the doe craning her neck up with ears perked, totally focused on something in the trees. Her posture was relaxed rather than on high alert, so I believe it was simple curiosity drawing her attention upward.
It was fascinating to see this doe engaged in what seemed to be pretty advanced observation of another species. As a wildlife photographer, I’m always looking for moments that reveal enlightening animal behaviors. This doe’s curiosity about the birds above gave me a glimpse into the awareness and inquisitiveness that white-tailed deer display as they explore their forest environments.
I feel honored not just to photograph these deer, but to step into their world and witness their interactions. Moments like this doe pausing to watch the birds remind me of how much we can learn by quietly observing the nature around us. There are always new behaviors to discover when we take the time to pay attention.
Steve Creek, Wildlife Photographer
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS R7
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500 mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Technical:
- Location: Near The Ouachita National Forest (Arkansas)
- Date and Time Taken: September 11, 2022 (12:09 P. M.)
- Program Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f7.1
- Shutter speed: 1/800
- ISO: 3200 (Auto)
- Focal Length: 500 mm