This evening DH decided to call it quits early. Tomorrow he will have to take the trash down the drive, so it means that he will need to be up earlier than his usual 4:30 a.m. He organized some of the recyclables and walked the dog. On his way in, he commented that they had startled deer in the back yard.
Once you've startled the deer, there's no point in looking for them. They sprint and bound and take off hither and yon. They are a joy to see, when you can catch a glimpse of them.
So, I walked down the hallway to the bedroom, intending to turn back the covers, and the door to the guest room was open. It looks out over the south lawn, and there was one of the deer, standing as still as a statue. I moved so the light from the kitchen was not behind me. I stood and watched that deer for some time, and it never moved. I slipped out of the guestroom and into my bedroom, finished turning back the covers, and looked once more. The deer was still there, checking to make sure that it was safe for the herd to follow.
We used to have large herds visit here during the winter. We live on a path that connects several preserves that had abundant herds of deer. Unfortunately, the Federal government decided that the herds had grown to a size where the animal health couldn't be maintained. It was determined, without any input from the local residents, that the herds would be culled. It's my understanding that they destroyed 300 deer a year for at least three years. I don't know just how many deer they killed, but we rarely see more than three or four deer at a time now, and their visits are less frequent. I know the seed on the ground below our bird feeders draws them, and we usually put out ear corn for them in bad weather.
We have been in the grip of frigid weather for at least two weeks, or maybe it's three by now. This afternoon it started raining a fine snow, and we are supposed to accumulate snow throughout the night. The remainder of the week is supposed to be very cold, slippery, and white. More snow, each day. I shopped for groceries today. We have emergency items, although I could use more C batteries. But.....we need more ear corn. I have to make two trips away from home tomorrow, so I plan to watch for places where they sell bird food. I should be able to get enough ear corn there to tide us over for a week. Then, I can check the boonies for another source. The deer deserve a little kindness. We've stolen their home and killed off their relatives. It seems so little to do.
The snow is reflecting the light from the cities around us so that it almost seems like dusk. I can see the tree trunks, and I've turned the house lights low so that I can watch for the deer. One more glimpse, and then it's time for bed.
We're fortunate that we have such beauty in our lives.
Comments (8)
Hey, did you know that we have deer here too... Actually, we didn't until recently. Some man had brought down a few and was keeping them on a reserve here for awhile. I guess he was trying to set up a menagerie, probably for tourism purposes. Anyway, there was a storm and some of the fences were destroyed and some of the animals escaped. They have been breeding up in the hills of Portland, and eating the small farmers in the area out of house and home. A friend of mine told me that they have been hunting the deer somewhat, so I guess they may not last too long. He told me that a couple friends of his bagged three the other day. I guess the only silver lining in that cloud is that they really don't belong in the island and may well be causing some kind of imbalance here, though I can't imagine what that would be.
Posted by Mad Bull | February 2, 2004 11:19 PM
Posted on February 2, 2004 23:19
Hey.. you are so lucky to have such beauty in your lives. Oh... now, if only you'd start putting photos here of your surroundings! *hint*
Posted by Desiree | February 3, 2004 1:12 AM
Posted on February 3, 2004 01:12
We rarely actually see the deer, but there is a deer run in the upper part of the property (where we and the dogs don't visit often).
When we were the only house for a ways, we saw deer all the time crossing in front of the dog pen and down the leach field to get to the path on the other side of the road. Now that has built up though, they have changed their path. We actually see moose more than deer now - moose don't change their path for anything!
Posted by bogie | February 3, 2004 8:03 AM
Posted on February 3, 2004 08:03
There are deer in some of the larger Royal Parks in London. When I walked to work, my journey used to take me through part of Bushy Park by the river. On a spring morning the sun would be a milky yellow and there would be a fine early mist everywhere. The deer, grouped under the huge horse chestnuts, would be sending snorts of mist whilst watching me as I strolled past.. Shame it ended at work really...
Posted by Legomen | February 3, 2004 8:39 AM
Posted on February 3, 2004 08:39
You really are a softy, Buffy, but I really enjoyed reading that post. We have deer in our yard quite often, only two or three at a time, and although Dough-Gee Dog thinks every animal should clear out of 'his' domain -- he amazingly totally ignores the deer. Now if they would just ignore my strawberry patch, all would be well.
Posted by Roberta | February 3, 2004 11:17 AM
Posted on February 3, 2004 11:17
Madbull, it's unlikely that the deer have many predators in Jamaica. My best guess is that they will take away sources of food that native species depend upon. It takes a lot of land to support a herd of deer.
I bought a disposable camera today, Desiree. Maybe I can get some pictures taken while the snow is still so beautiful.
Bogie, did your dogs chase the deer? I'm curious, because my dog sees right through them, like Roberta's. We call them the "big dogs." Normally he is very territorial.
Leg....it's astounding to think of deer so used to men that they don't bolt. It must have been a soothing way to start your day.
Roberta, Yeah.....I'm a softy. *G* How'd you guess??
Posted by Buffy | February 3, 2004 12:54 PM
Posted on February 3, 2004 12:54
You sound like you live in a nice setting Buffy.
I've never glimpsed any of these 'local' deer that Mad Bull spoke about (I don't live in Portland...but I would love to own some land or a house there one day).
Nice little post.
Posted by Dr. D. | February 5, 2004 8:04 AM
Posted on February 5, 2004 08:04
I've seen deer over here in places like the Royal Park at Richmond, etc. Beautiful creatures. However, country gardeners over here curse them because of the damage wild deer can cause to gardens, etc.I know how much you love your garden, Buffy, so ...be careful!
Adele
Posted by Adele | February 5, 2004 5:29 PM
Posted on February 5, 2004 17:29