Nature, Unfiltered: The Fawns’ Trust

Mule Deer Fawns — Topanga Canyon, 2025
(Photographed on the driveway in soft afternoon light)

📸 Encounter Story

There is a small family of deer that shares the property with us. At first, we only caught brief glimpses of the doe and her two fawns, appearing and disappearing between trees. Then the buck began showing up alongside them, and slowly it became clear they were moving as a unit.

Over time, they have truly settled in. Now we see them several times a day, crossing paths as if the land were an extension of their home. Interestingly, the family seems to have divided itself into pairs. The doe and buck move together, while the two fawns wander side by side.

I snapped this photo of the fawns earlier today as they paused on the driveway, alert but unafraid, watching me with a calm curiosity that feels earned through repetition.

🔎 About the Animal

Mule Deer fawns stay close to their mothers during their first months, learning the rhythms of safety, movement, and terrain. As they grow, siblings often form strong bonds, exploring together while remaining within reach of their parents.

This gradual shift from constant protection to shared independence is a natural transition. It allows young deer to build confidence while still anchored in family structure. Seeing fawns move comfortably in pairs suggests a stable environment and a deep familiarity with the land.

Meditation Meaning

The fawns embody emerging independence. They are learning how to step forward without fully stepping away. Their closeness to one another reflects trust, curiosity, and the reassurance of shared experience.

They remind us that growth does not require separation all at once. Sometimes it unfolds alongside those who are learning at the same pace.

Reflection

In our own lives, there are seasons when we move as families and seasons when we begin to find our footing beside peers. The fawns show us that both can coexist. Independence does not have to mean isolation.

Watching them linger together, alert yet relaxed, we are reminded that belonging is not something we outgrow. It simply changes shape as we learn where we stand.

Oracle Message

“Grow together.”