Our neighbor, Elli, had told us she had seen a 'new deer in the neighborhood'.
She took a picture to show me, and we both did some research.
I hadn't seen her until this morning. There she was...having some breakfast in
Elli's Meadow.
She's an Axis Deer.
According to All About Exotics, these deer were introduced into Texas, back in the 1930s,
for those special 'hunting ranches'.
Seems some escaped. I've seen some up in our son's area, too.
According to All About Exotics, these deer were introduced into Texas, back in the 1930s,
for those special 'hunting ranches'.
Seems some escaped. I've seen some up in our son's area, too.
She's sturdier looking than the White Tails...the ones who are some prominent here.
Isn't she pretty?
And, the article says they eat GRASS! Maybe that means NOT landscapes.
source: All About Exotics
I'd love to see a buck. Look at those antlers!
I love this place...
Happy Gardening...
~~Linda~~
Isn't she pretty?
And, the article says they eat GRASS! Maybe that means NOT landscapes.
I'd love to see a buck. Look at those antlers!
I love this place...
Happy Gardening...
~~Linda~~
How exciting. She is pretty.
ReplyDeleteShe is...and she has a bit different looking face. Hope to see her again.
DeleteThey are beautiful. Friends in Boerne say that the Axis deer there eat everything including plants that deer don't typically eat such as Lantana and Salvia Greggii. Perhaps your new girl will have read the article and know to eat only the grass.
ReplyDeleteUh oh...just my luck. The other deer do chomp on those two, as well. They especially like lantana blooms. But, not so much the gold/yellow ones. We'll see. So far, this is the first time I've seen her at our house. She's been hanging out mostly on the other side of Elli's.
DeleteShe is very pretty with her white spots and winter coat. Is she somewhat tame? Looks like you were able to get reasonably close for the photo.
ReplyDeleteI used my telephoto lens. She seemed a bit more skittish than the other deer...there were about a dozen Whitetail out there this morning. So far, she's the only one we've seen here.
DeleteWow!!! What a catch!! You are really lucky. I've never seen these deer before. Nice shots of a deer with beautiful spots.
ReplyDeleteShe is pretty. We'll see how much damage she can do.
DeleteI hate to be a bearer of bad news. The axis deer is like a lot of other "introduced" species. They start off being a welcome new sight and end up being a pest that takes over. As the agressive non-native china berry tree is an endangerment to native TX trees, the axis deer is to the native white tail. They are dominant and will eventually run the white tail out of the area altogether. And Shirley is right; they eat plants that even the white tail won't ordinarily touch. Pretty to look at, but not good news in the 'hood!
ReplyDeleteVenison steaks! Seriously, beautiful animals...I hope they are just admiring your new rock edging and front planting for inspiration on their own place. (and that they don't think your casa is their casa)
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to see her for yourself. She is a beauty. I wonder how she gets on with the white tailed deer. She may be pretty lonely out there although safer than on the hunting ranch.
ReplyDeleteAw, she is precious. After reading the above comments, I hope she doesn't become a nuisance. We're just all living in a delicate balance, aren't we? So easily becoming pests to each other.
ReplyDeleteYikes! I was so excited to see her. Now, with all the warnings, I wonder if I should have rushed out and scared her far away.
ReplyDeleteI guess we'll just have to wait and see if she does damage. The other deer seem to be more dominant....chasing her away from the best food areas. But, then, she's only one deer....so far.
She's beautiful, but I would worry about the effect of an introduced species on the native ecosystem.
ReplyDelete