I guess it’s too wet to plow, but with the lack of fish stories, I guess the column will have to go a bit wide until they start biting someplace. I’m tired of talking both weather and politics so I’ll just have to resort to the hidden beauty that often escapes us in our Small Wonder state.

    This is the fawning time of the year in the whitetail world and seldom does a year pass without someone calling me about a fawn that’s been “abandoned” by its mother. This year is no different and I’ve already had two of those calls.

    Not that fawns don’t sometimes get orphaned but you can bet the bank that one is never abandoned. Fawns are born scent free and to keep it that way, a doe will bed her newborn down in an area she feels is relatively safe. She then moves away at some discreet distance to feed and watch her fawn. Some clodhopper just out for a jaunt comes into the area and the doe magically disappears. The fawn, snug in its bed will simply lie there. If the person steps on it, the fawn may jump with a start, but quickly beds back down. Often times these are the initiations that lead to the deer being “rescued.”

    If you encounter a fawn, leave it alone. The doe will come back. Contrary to some stories, you touching the deer won’t deter her (though you should discourage the practice). Touching the deer now imparts your smell on the animal. Your intrusion has also created a trail that other predators may follow and find the fawn as you did. In effect, you may have signed a death sentence for the deer. If you find one, touch it with your eyes only and let this delicate wonder of our wild woods be safe.

    A friend called a few weeks back about having put up hummingbird feeders. Her concern was that one bird seemed to be a bully to any of the other birds coming to feed and drink.

    Hummingbirds are like voles and shrews. They have an exceptionally high metabolism rate and they are extremely territorial. If you have one feeder attracting them, you’ll be better served by installing another a few yards away. The one who claims one feeder seldom tries to patrol both of them. They must feed every 10 to 15 minutes to survive and they consume up to two thirds their body weight in food each day.

    Since these tiny birds migrate each year, back yard feeders are an essential food source to passers by and to homesteading mated pairs. If you’d like to see the miracle of these tiny birds, visit http://community-2.webtv.net/velpics/hum.

    The natural food source for the birds is the nectar they gather from bee balm, hollyhock, hibiscus, trumpet creeper, honeysuckle, clematis, impatiens, phlox and fuchsias.  Hanging one of the clear plastic feeders simply helps them get proper nourishment easier.

    If you buy a feeder, don’t get conned into buying the packaged hummingbird nectar sold with them. The birds require massive amounts of sugar and you can make it much cheaper than you can buy it.

    In a large pot, boil one gallon of water.  When it comes to a rolling boil, stir in 4 cups of plain sugar (the ratio is 4 to 1, water to sugar) until it dissolves completely. Remove pot quickly and allow it to cool. Do not add artificial flavoring, honey or colors. Hummingbirds don’t smell and are attracted sufficiently by the red plastic feeders.

    You should mount your feeders in a shaded area if possible as the sugar water is perishable and will ferment if left in direct heat and sunlight. Replace the water at the first signs of clouding. At the same time, the feeder should be cleaned with one part white vinegar and 4 parts water. You can add a few grains of rice to this solution if you need a mild abrasive for the plastic container. When cleaned, rinse several times in warm tap water before refilling.