Mule deer and ferruginous hawk battle on the plains

So this was an absolutely odd and fascinating scene – scroll down to view the complete sequence. 

Two mule deer does were in a bit of a standoff with a ferruginous hawk. The deer tried to stomp the hawk but when they got close, the hawk jumped at one of the deer and seemed to bite its tail.

I suspect there may have been a fawn in the grass, out of sight, and the does were protecting it but I have never seen anything like this. View the album to see the entire sequence.

Taken at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.