Every day, month, and year, there is always something new to be learned out here.
A couple of days ago, it was a sad lesson in the circle of life.
We have quite a few deer who call our property home. They used this land as a cut through to the river, long before we were here, and still do. Watching the fawns frolic and play each spring, coming across a tiny baby hiding where its mother left it- it’s all wonderful.
The other day, I noticed a doe, in the field close to my house and pond. I didn’t take much notice, because there are always deer here. Later on, when I went out to feed Charlotte, the pig, that doe was still in the same spot, head hanging. This did not look right, and as I approached, she didn’t flee, or even move. The deer are accustomed to seeing me, but are always on the alert, as I walk by. This one was not. I took some photos and a video. I called a neighbor to see what to do, he recommended calling game warden. A few phone calls later I was put in touch with VA Wildlife Conflict. I was instructed to email the video, after describing her condition to the person on the phone. Someone would get back to me.
The neighbor said it sounded like blue tongue, and there had been a case in Bergton recently. This led me down the rabbit hole of researching blue tongue.
Hemorrhagic disease is caused by 2 viruses- epizootic HD and blue tongue virus. It is spread by gnats or midges, who hang around in the warm weather, usually causing this disease August thru October. After that, the frost kills off the bugs. We have experienced frost, then warm, then frost again, so the midges probably came back.
It is not contagious, either to other animals or humans, and it only transmitted by the midges to deer. Blue tongue can also be found in cattle, sheep, and goats, who are also susceptible to the bug bites. If you are bitten by these annoying little bugs, nothing worse than an itch at the site of the bite will happen.
It is not recommended to eat the deer, for obvious reasons, but it is a sad thing to watch.
Since then, I’ve heard of 3 other deer that have been found locally, dead in a creek and pond, since the fever draws them to water.
Having spoken to the VA District biologist, he confirmed what was going on, after viewing my short video. The doe died shortly thereafter. They rarely survive.
Last month I had a photo of a buck drinking from my pond, hopefully, he did not succumb to the disease.
As we go through these periods of Indian summer, the bugs “defrost” and come back to life, the plants are confused, and are still putting out flower buds, only to be killed again by another frost. Mother Nature is a confusing creature!
As I write this, it is another warm November day, and I don’t really mind!
Hopefully we will get a bit of snow for Christmas! I hope all our readers enjoy the upcoming holidays! We will look forward to seeing you all in 2025!
All is well at Mountain Meadows, this spring-like autumn day!
