Earlier today, I shared my morning encounter with a Mule Deer Doe that had a distinctive “Roman Nose” near Lake Carl Etling at Black Mesa State Park (you can read about that encounter here: Day 8: A Morning with a Roman-Nosed Mule Deer Doe). By 5:30 P.M., I found myself back at the same spot, hopeful for another glimpse of her and her fawn.
My timing was spot on. An hour later, I spotted the Doe and her Fawn near the lake shore, right where I last saw her disappear into the trees. They moved around for a few minutes, feeding along the shore. Soon enough, the Doe decided it was time to cross the lake, and the Fawn followed closely behind.
This part of the lake wasn’t deep, so the Doe easily waded across without needing to swim. The Fawn, though smaller, managed to wade most of the way with just a short stretch where it had to swim. It was my first time photographing such a young Fawn crossing water, making it a special moment for me. While I’ve captured Whitetail Deer crossing water numerous times, witnessing a Fawn this young make the journey was a first.
Adult mule deer are known to be strong swimmers, but fawns aren’t as skilled and can tire quickly in the water. Watching the Doe and Fawn cross was a surprise and a bit of a relief. The Doe seemed confident in her choice, never once looking back to check on the Fawn. She was likely more concerned about any potential dangers waiting on the shore they were heading toward.
This evening encounter added a new layer to my wildlife photography adventure here at Black Mesa. It’s moments like these that remind me why I keep coming back to this incredible place.