Deer Behavior and Pictures

As in winters past, we have fed the deer and I want to share some pictures the wildlife camera has taken of them and also make some observations about their behavior.

First, is a picture taken last fall of a deer and fawns.  The fawns were probably born in the spring.

And here's a picture of a small herd that came out and started eating before dark.

Next, is a picture of a deer eating out of the bird feeder that is hanging in a tree just outside our bedroom window. 

And, another deer sneaking food from the birds.

Here are some deer in a snow storm we had one night in January.

We moved the camera around to the other side of the tree and got this picture of a deer looking up at the camera.

I've learned a lot about deer behavior over the course of the last 5 years.  First, I've found that they tend to stay in small herds that are sometimes at odds with other herds.  If one group gets to the feeder first, they will sometimes act aggressively toward another group that comes before they are finished eating.  When this happens, they will lash out with their front legs toward members of the other herd.

I've also found them to be very aware of their surroundings.  For example, I have transplanted several small trees that were coming up in my raised beds to other locations around the farm. You wouldn't think that deer would pay any attention to this.  But, in almost every case, they have nipped the tips out of the trees, as if they noticed the trees were in different places and took a bite to check them out.