The dry summer has been bringing a lot of wildlife into my yard in search of water. Every morning, my three bird baths are in need of refilling, telling me that the area creeks and streams are at low water levels. So when it rained early this morning I didn't expect to see much in the way of wildlife. Again nature proved me wrong. Shortly after 8 am, I spotted a family of deer coming down the hillside towards the house. Following them were three adults. In total there were seven deer: two does, three bucks and two spotted fawns. The adults immediately went in search of nourishment while the fawns were more interested in chasing each other around the trees.
It's been a difficult summer for wildlife as well as for farmers with the record temperatures and lack of rain. Down in the Lansing area, reports have been made of deer dying of EHD (Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease). The disease is spread by biting insects, causing internal bleeding and eventually death. EHD is not transmittable to humans. Although the DNR reports that EHD is a regular summer occurence in the deer population, the heat and drought brought on the insects (and the disease) earlier than normal. Until a killing frost, EHD will continue to plague the deer population. Hopefully the disease will not spread northward and affect our deer population.
It's been a difficult summer for wildlife as well as for farmers with the record temperatures and lack of rain. Down in the Lansing area, reports have been made of deer dying of EHD (Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease). The disease is spread by biting insects, causing internal bleeding and eventually death. EHD is not transmittable to humans. Although the DNR reports that EHD is a regular summer occurence in the deer population, the heat and drought brought on the insects (and the disease) earlier than normal. Until a killing frost, EHD will continue to plague the deer population. Hopefully the disease will not spread northward and affect our deer population.
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