Sudden death in the snow

Just as we were celebrating the recovery of EGee from a suspected case of pneumonia, George started to show signs of lethargy on Monday, January 31. On Tuesday, February 1, he showed no signs of improvement, so Allan started him on the antibiotics that morning. When he arrived at the Reserve in the afternoon to give George his second daily dose, there was no sign of him. Allan spent about an hour searching the 10 acre enclosure and found George dead in the snow in an open area -- his legs tucked under his body and no signs of trauma.


George was the most social of all our deer, the first to come to Don and Wendy when they took over the Scotland Road herd, the first Don and Wendy identified and named, "Curious George"...The first to take food or medication from Allan and Jane's hands. The first to let us touch him. The first to knock over both Allan and Don and remind us to always remember the wildness and unpredictability of the fallow deer.  He was the deer that travelled the furthest away  (as far away as Sydenham) when the fence was cut in November 2008. He taught us so many things about his species. It was an honour to have known him. We will miss his presence and large personality.

Jane and Allan took his body to the Animal Health Lab at the University of Guelph, Kemptville for an post-mortem examination. We are awaiting the results hoping that what killed George will not affect the eight remaining bucks.

EGee in Rehab

Here's a photo of EGee tucked into the horse trailer in the isolation paddock. He'll be here for 5 days as we have to give him Novo-Trimel twice daily. He is responding well to the meds and the symptoms of lethargy and raspy breathing (pneumonia) are diminishing. He seems to be enjoying his special status!

Osprey Platform

Thanks to Chris Grooms (past president of the Kingston Field Naturalists, neighbour and bird lover) our Reserve now has an osprey platform close to the marsh at the eastern end of the land.With tractor, ropes, pulleys and brawn, assisted by Don Murphy and Allan Park from the Fallow Deer Reserve and George and Gay from the Field Naturalists, the former hydro pole became a perch (perfect, we hope) and platform for osprey tenants. We will have to wait until April to see if the osprey will take up residence.

Life is good

Merry Merries

May joy, peace, health and love

be yours to have & to share!

Exploring the new enclosure

 
Here's what happened when we opened the gates on Sunday, December 5, 2010 and let the bucks explore the new space (about an acre)...new grass and, of course, trees and bushes on which to thrash. Moki and Mike made mincemeat of a small cedar bush in the photo above. No one had problems entering into the new "playground" through the sliding gate designed by Don Murphy. Present to watch the show were Don, Allan Park, Jane McDonald and Wendy Workman who took the photos seen above.

Rut 101

Here's a good look at Max in rut (mating season). The dark colour is caused by secretions of a waxy fluid from the orbital gland located below the eye. He has stimulated this gland by rubbing his head on tree branches and rocks. The fluid smells like rancid butter and is part of the bucks' scenting ceremony that is designed to attract does.The photo also shows the thickness of his neck. The bucks have not been eating much as their throats are swollen. Gradually as the weather gets colder, their appetites return.