Whitetail Deer Fawn 2 A couple of weeks ago, I took advantage of a break in our hot Kansas temperatures. I thought with highs forecasted to reach only mid-80's, it would be a good opportunity to get out and take some photographs. My main objective was to head west and south of Hutchinson to check out possibilities of sunflower fields. I had found a couple of good fields last year in that area. To my dismay, one was seeded to a different crop this year, the other was left fallow, and I did not run across any other sunflower fields. I decided since I was most of the way there, I may as well visit the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. I had a fairly productive day in the refuge, nothing great. I decided to leave when the sun disappeared behind an approaching thunderstorm. I drove through heavy rain (luckily no hail) as I made my way through the 8 miles to the south gate. Just as I was exiting the refuge, the rain stopped. I had reached the back edge of the storm and the clouds were breaking. I was only a few hundred yards outside of the refuge when I noticed some deer crossing the road in front of me. They ducked into a field hedgerow as I approached. I pulled into the edge of the pasture through a drive and waited.  It was not long before a doe ventured out of cover into the pasture followed by her fawn. I stayed in the vehicle using it as a blind to photograph from. 

It was one of those special moments that made the trip worthwhile.