White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are the smallest members of the North American deer family. They are found from southern Canada to South America. They have reddish-brown coats in summer which fade to a duller grayish-brown in winter. The underside of their tails is white. When startled they raise their tails which exposes this bright spot and alerts other nearby deer to danger. They also make short snorting vocalizations and foot stomping to notify other members of the group to beware. Female deer give birth to one to three young at a time, usually in May or June and after a gestation period of seven months. White-tailed deer are herbivores, leisurely grazing on most available plant foods. Their stomachs allow them to digest a varied diet, including leaves, twigs, fruits and nuts, grass, corn, alfalfa, and even lichens and other fungi. Occasionally venturing out in the daylight hours, they are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, browsing mainly at dawn and dusk. In the wild, white-tails are preyed upon by bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes and human hunters. They use speed and agility to outrun predators, sprinting up to 30 miles per hour and leaping as high as 10 feet and as far as 30 feet in a single bound. Although previously depleted by unrestricted hunting in the United States, strict game-management measures have helped restore the white-tailed deer population. They are quite plentiful in North-East Texas (where I live). I see White-tailed deer almost daily in my yard. Often as close as 20' from my front door. A little after noon one day, I was looking out of a window and noticed some movement near a brush pile about 40' from my front door. Not sure what the movement was, I got up and went out to investigate. This fawn had been left by it's mother near the pile to hide in as she went off to forage. The fawn stayed hunkered down as I approached and I got within a few feet of it before it stood up. I then hurried back to the house to get my camera and returned to take some photos. After a few shots, I went back inside to let the fawn relax and wait for the mother's return. I kept a watch (off and on) for the rest of the day and just before dusk, the mother returned. Thanks to all who have taken the time to comment on one of my postings. The feedback is appreciated. I hope everyone who has clicked on one of them was pleased with having done so. Lee