I was out and about a bit yesterday in the cold and rain and it was miserable. I came across a bevy of white-tailed deer, does and their yearlings, and my misery was compounded by envy.
The deer were resting and dozing off and seemingly thoroughly enjoying the dousing of a Maine April shower. They appeared to have some of their protective winter fat left and still were wearing their heavy winter coats, which L.L. Bean has been unable to replicate.
The winter coats of white-tails have two layers of fur, the outer one of which is designed to trap air for insulating heat and to shed rain; their skin also produces an oil that coats the coat hairs and makes them more water repellant.
But, these coats are not completely waterproof; a hard, drenching rain can make our deer miserable, too. I wasn’t so envious as to wish that on them.
(Images taken in Brooklin, Maine, on April 27, 2025.)