One of the most magical moments I’ve experienced as a wildlife photographer happened right here on my property that borders the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas. As I was out early one morning trying to capture photos of birds, I noticed a doe deer moving cautiously through the trees. That’s when I caught a glimpse of not one, but two spotted fawns following closely behind her. I couldn’t believe my luck in witnessing twin white-tailed deer fawns out and about with their mother!
Whitetail Fawns Near Ouachita National Forest
About 20 to 25 percent of the time, whitetail twins aren’t even fraternal twins! In reality, they are only somewhat related. One species for whom multiple paternity in a single litter has been verified is whitetail deer.
Whitetail deer are common sights in many parts of North America, and the birth of a single Fawn is a familiar and heartwarming event for many. But what about twin Fawns? While not as common as single Fawns, twin Fawns are a beautiful and fascinating sight to behold.
Twin fawns are born to doe deer at a rate of about 1 in 100 births. They are nearly identical in size, weight, and appearance, and they remain close to each other throughout their first few weeks of life. This is not only adorable, but it is also an important survival mechanism for the fawns. Their close proximity to each other helps to confuse predators, making it more difficult for them to single out an individual fawn to attack.
Fawns grow rapidly and are able to stand and walk within hours of their birth. They are also able to follow their mother and feed within a few days. While they are still nursing, they begin to eat solid food and eventually become independent. The close bond between the twin Fawns will eventually dissipate as they grow and become more self-sufficient.
I felt extremely privileged to observe these twin fawns navigating their forest home. I managed to capture some photos of the special duo to remember the special encounter. Though they will eventually go their separate ways, I will never forget the magical moment I spotted these older white-tailed twin fawns.
Note: Here is an image of the Doe – A White-tailed Doe’s Curiosity
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS R7
- Lens: RF100-500 mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Technical:
- Location: Near The Ouachita National Forest (Arkansas)
- Date and Time Taken: September 11, 2022 (11:32 A. M.)
- Exposure Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f8
- Shutter speed: 1/800
- ISO: 5000 (Auto)
- Focal Length: 500 mm
