Trackside wildlife

[Paul Davenport]

The 2015 D work session's tree/brush crew had a surprising but benign (at least for us) encounter with some wildlife when team member Alan Green noticed some growth that was beginning to obscure Milepost 343, located on the straightaway between NM 17 and the Narrows. As Alan approached the post to cut back the growth, he nearly stepped in what proved to be some deer afterbirth on the ground and mentioned his find to the rest of us. Then a newborn fawn gingerly emerges from tall grass behind the post, probably taking its first steps of life. I was able to shoot a couple of frames of the fawn climbing onto the roadbed as we all backpedaled to minimize any human contact with the fawn. It made its away across the rails and climbed into the grass and brush on the other side. Meanwhile, we looked track-direction west and saw an adult deer abut 50 yards away crossing the tracks in the same direction. We presumed and hoped that mom and offspring would soon reunite, and we left the area ASAP. Besides, there was work to be down the tracks.

[Farol Henkle]

Aw, so precious! Thanks for posting those 2 photos!