Bruce used his thermal binoculars last night (9:30 pm) and noticed something on the fence (pictures 1, 2, 3 as we approached). After a minute, he determined that a deer was hung on the fence. We grabbed some towels and wire-clippers and headed to the back fence behind the pond.
As we approached, the deer became very agitated.
Just before we covered its head with a towel, the deer found the strength to climb the fence and fall into the goat yard. It took a moment for the deer to get its hind legs into action, and it ran off into the high grass in the goat yard. We opened the gate today and the deer left on its own. This deer most probably suffers from a nematode infection called Lumpy Jaw. This is not uncommon in white tail deer.
A deer with a swollen mouth, jaw, or cheeks could have one of several problems. The most common cause of swollen jaws, or cheeks is arterial worms (nematodes). Another cause may be cuts within the animal’s mouth. Both arterial nematodes and mouth cuts can lead to food impaction and/or bacterial infection. The nematodes in the arteries block blood flow and impede jaw muscle function. This deer will not survive for long if it has this problem.
Below: Look to the left of the night vision picture below. Do you see the faint glow at the circular door of the birdhouse? This bird house is occupied by a bird on her nest. The heat from the bird and her eggs give the heat signature out of the round door on the house.
Below: The Cypress plants are taking off and growing into the blueberry bushes. We have trimmed the cypress vine twice in ten days and the vines continue to grow rapidly. If you plant this vine, make sure it is a few yards from any other plant. This vine is a beautiful screen and has kept the deer from jumping the fence to eat the blueberries. Cypress vines are poisonous and the deer will not eat them. The nectar in the flowers is not poisonous and butterflies and hummingbirds love this nectar.
The red passion flower plant below is in full bloom.
The muscadine vine below has finally started to flourish. We noticed that a bug has attacked this plant leaving numerous holes in the leaves. We have sprayed this plant with Seven and hope the Seven will stop the bug. The new growth (after using the Seven) does not show the holes in the leaves.
The bushes below are related, but not the same plant. All three bushes are members of the same family of Sunflowers. However the first two pictures are of a Hairy sunflower (also called Rough, Oblong, Whiskered, Stiff-hair, or Bristly sunflower plant). The next three pictures are called Maximilian Sunflowers. The last picture shows all three plants with Hairy Sunflower plant on the left. Those are the goats behind the plants.
Below: Based on the color of the vine, it looks like the boys will be harvesting the hanging pumpkin tomorrow.
Below: Joseph (left) helped assemble new tables for the school two days before school started. McKenzie (right) is ready for her first day at school this year.
