Bambi visits the vineyard!

We were sat eating lunch today when we noticed this tiny little deer wandering the vineyard! Now the whole vineyard is deer fenced so that (in theory) they can't get in, because they love eating the vines - but these tiny newborn deer can squeeze in such small places! He was so sweet...wandering among the vines........then he walked over our little bridge......

and down to the pond to get a drink.......


(look at those neat lines of spots on his back!)



then settled under some grasses for a little afternoon nap!


It all looks very sweet - but it is actually quite sad when the babies get in. Often times the mother is outside of the fence looking in and running back and forth calling for "Junior". Junior doesn't seem to remember how he got in and so can't get back out. We try to help and open the gates - but they aren't the brightest of animals and panic easily - so whilst we want to encourage them in a certain direction to the outside world.....they just get frightened.....

As this little fella settled down under the grasses, I'm thinking his mum is off foraging for food for the afternoon. They leave their young napping in the afternoons to go and feed. She'll cover too much distance for Junior to come too - so you can frequently see the little guys taking their afternoon snooze while mum is out for lunch.

We are keeping an eye on him for now and also checking for mummy coming back and will see if he finds his own way out without being scared..... fingers crossed......