Jackie Champion got a surprise earlier this month when she went outside to water her flowers in Okanagan Falls and was faced with a large doe standing in her neighbour’s yard staring at her.

“She was big and just looking at me like ‘watch it,’” she said. “I kind of jumped back and then suddenly realized she was about to give birth.”

Champion quickly went into her house, grabbed her camera and watched from behind a screen door as the doe knelt down and delivered its fawn.

“I didn’t want to startle her and was a little nervous because she was so close and I have a dog and I know how deer can be around dogs,” she said.

“My heart was pitter pattering and all of sudden I saw this foot come out from her rear.”

'Miracle of birth': Doe has her fawn in Okanagan Falls backyard | iNFOnews.ca — A mother and baby deer are seen moments after the birth in Okanagan Falls. SUBMITTED/Jackie Champion

Champion said the birth was over quickly and she took a couple of pictures of the pair to remember the moment forever. Because she was behind a screen, she said the photos were not as clear as she would have liked.

“I couldn’t believe I’d witnessed a doe giving birth, it happened so fast. All of a sudden there was a baby underneath her,” she said.

“The miracle of birth is amazing and when you witness it there are no words.”

The mother and baby stayed in the area for a couple of days.

Champion said she’ll never forget the special experience.