The temperature dropped to -35C last night and hovered at -28C all day today.  The wind picked up and moved the evergreen branches back and forth.  All the snow that was on them blew around like a mini-blizzard in the backyard.

I went out early this morning to fill the bird feeders and the grain tubs for the deer.  The suet feeders were almost empty so I mixed up some peanut butter, cornmeal and raisins for the woodpeckers. I got back inside and was removing my jacket when I noticed a doe and her two fawns making their way through the bush behind my yard.  I got to my camera just in time.  

Mama and one fawn found the grain tub that I keep on the ground.  The second fawn stayed at the back of the yard.  I've seen this trio before.  The doe does not take kindly to the larger of the two fawns.  She head butts it and tries stomping it with her hooves.  I don't believe she will be getting any awards for mother of the year.

The fawn that sticks close to her has a smooth, sleek coat.  The second one has a thick, scruffy one.  

The two fawns do not get along.  The smaller one chases the larger one when it approaches the food.

When the grain tub was empty, Mama craned her neck to get at the seeds in the bird feeder.  The fawn that was with her, moved ahead to another feeding station.  It was too short to reach the feeder so proceeded to eat the seeds that the birds had knocked to the ground.  The second fawn came to the feeder close to the house.

It's head was covered in snow and it's 'whiskers' hung like icicles from it's muzzle.  It knew where the second tub was placed.  As soon as it began eating, the sleeker of the two came over.  It began butting the one that was eating until it noticed the peanut butter that I set out for the birds.  Who knew that deer like peanut butter!  It kept licking until a passing vehicle scared it away.

Over the course of the day, I noticed the threesome come into the yard numerous times.  The final time, mama was not with the younger ones.  Neither is tall enough to reach the bird feeders and the tub on the ground was empty so both came to the feeder by my window.
 
It was fun to watch their antics.  Having seen them visit before, I'm beginning to notice their habits and can guess what they will be doing.  They see me in the window but that does not stop them from touring the yard.

Today was the perfect day to spend inside.  The temperature did not rise and the wind was creating a severe chill.  This meant no outdoor sports.  Instead, the wood stove was lit.  I finished a good book and watched Mother Nature's entertainment in my backyard.