Dama Mama

This morning I was working in my flowerbeds. The temperature was in the low 60's & I was enjoying being outside. When I discovered this....

A baby Dama Gazelle less than an hour old. He (or she) was just learning to walk. When we first started raising them my Father-in-Law called me Dama Mama. They are one of my favorite animals on the ranch.

Below is Proud Papa....

Love,

Dama Mama

Whitetail Birth

Even though I have lots of Whitetail Deer right outside my backdoor, it is still unusual to see the birth of whitetail babies. Somehow I never manage to be home.

Mostly, Whitetails have their babies in May & June. This past June I was lucky enough to be home on the weekend & notice that a Doe was about to give birth.

I waited around a few minutes & things seemed to be moving slow so I decided to jump in the shower then come back outside to watch the birth.

A quick shower later one baby was already born. So I grabbed the camera & headed out to take pictures of Mom & Baby.

Then...

What is this??? Another baby is on the way!!!

Momma removing the sack as sister takes it all in.

Now its time to get cleaned up

An hour later Momma & twins are doing fine.

Last Weeks Surpirse

Many of you are wondering what my surprise was last week (ok, 1 person asked) so here it is....

When I drove in from work Beisa Oryx were standing at my front gate as if to greet me. Tommy had told me I had a surprise. I thought it was a baby Dama gazelle (we are expecting) but much to my surprise it was a trio (1 male & 2 female - on the ranch we call that a trio) of Beisa Oryx that he purchased.

Now actually this is not one of the trio. After purchasing the trio he purchase this mature female at the YO Ranch last weekend. It was just easier to get a picture of her since I was home when they let her out of the trailer. I havn't been able to get close enough to the other 3 to take a picture. Hoping she is pregnant! The babies will be cute, for sure!

Meet Hartford

Meet Hartford our Red Deer Stag.....

He had 20 points this year. Hartford sheds his antlers every year on March 1st.... always.

A little triva.... Do you know the difference between a horn & antler? If the horns are shed every year they are called "antlers".... if they never shed they are called "horns".

Hartford starts growing his new set of antlers about 2 weeks after they shed. He is in velvet until about September.... when he sheds his velvet. Same cycle ever year.

Hartford soaking up the sun in the mud.

More triva.... If a Male Red Deer is a Stag, what is a female? Give Up? A Hines.