Another Visit from a White-tailed Deer

Aug. 16: A Backyard Treat!

A White-tailed Deer walked through my back yard last week and stopped for a long drink. I see deer in my yard perhaps once a year so this was a nice surprise. In the past, the deer have not bothered to drink. If anything, they would nibble on fresh green plants or leaves. This one drank for a while, and then looked around.

In the past, I'd been visited by the same doe who had two cuts in her right ear. This Coues White-tail's ears looked good and her coat was very pretty. This was a different deer, and I believe it was a doe. She appeared to be very relaxed.

She looked around, and then began the most unusual behavior. It looked like she was licking her lips. I have no idea what she was doing but just thought it was fun to watch the deer doing what she did.

And she did this over and over again. I watched for a while and then began taking photos. She continued this behavior for over 30 seconds.

It was funny. It was unusual. I had no explanation for this behavior. I later tried googling for a reason and could not learn anything about it.

She would lick, then stop, and then begin again. Throughout, her face was relaxed as you can see by the half open eyes.

Even when she stopped, there was no sense of urgency or worry.

Her final pose told the story the best. I see satisfaction in this shot.

And then she turned, and began strolling off to her right. She walked past one neighbor's front yard, across another neighbor's driveway, and disappeared into the desert behind yet another neighbor's home.

I sure hope this isn't the last I’ll see of her.
For more on White-tailed Deer, go to
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/npnht/learningcenter/nature-science/?cid=fsbdev3_055680
https://azstateparks.com/coues-deer