Last night we were at my Mother’s and Sister’s for late dinner and a movie… I went prepared for the unexpected – meaning I took my camera hoping that we would see the herd of deer that have been showing up almost every night since last Summer. We have never been there to witness this beautiful spectacle showing up in the small backyard. They evidently stroll through this densely packed residential neighborhood looking for food – eating whatever is available – usually birdseed, if my sister has forgotten to bring the bird feeder in, or at times carrots or bread that have been left out for them. They enter the backyard through one side yard, and exit through the other. Last night we were gifted with a visit by these skittish, gentle beings at about 7:10pm. They were only about 10 feet away. They have been known to also show up at all hours of the night in herds of 3-7.
I am sorry that the photos aren’t clearer. I took them through the sliding glass door that had the screen in it – with only the back flood light on. Plus they move their heads so quickly, and my little Kodak doesn’t have one of those rapid shutter functions. But I wanted to share this magical moment with you, so I sharpened them up as much as possible. There were only 3 in this herd; a mother and her 2 little ones, who managed to stay out of camera range. So these are photos of the mother. As they passed out of the back yard, around the side, I went out on the front porch to watch them pass by, talking to them gently as the two fawns stood behind the bare branches of a lilac bush watching me, while the mother continued on, briefly pausing and looking over her shoulder…
Huh?
Who me?!
You want what?
I'm all ears...
Really? Are you sure?
Could you repeat that...
Shocking...
love the last pic with the ears back.
ReplyDeletewhile they are lovely beings I have my mixed feelings about them. not only do they eat any and pretty much everything out in our yard, they come up on the deck at night, yes climbing several stairs to get there, to trim the plants in the pots.
but you are right there is a sweet gentleness about them and it is such a delight to see the fawns in the Spring.
Oh deer... Guess they're just being who they are in their forest :)
DeleteHow beautiful. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Susannah :)
DeleteSo beautiful... what magical delight! I find such encounters sacred moments, don't you? I lately found out through my new quests of shamanic journeying, that the deer, the doe specifically is my power animal. We can learn do much from animals about be-ing. :o) Happy Week, Christine ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteYes, magical indeed! I love deer. At one time they came into my life all the time, so I guess you could say they were my "power animal" for a time. Their particular medicine is about the power of love, compassion and gentleness. So I'm not surprised that the deer would be your power animal, as that fits you already! You are a "deer" :) Heart Hugs...
DeleteI see you are skilled in reading Deer Ear Semaphore. A rare gift.
ReplyDeleteMy husband thought he was a real Deer Whisperer and that he had an "undertstanding" with the deer the first year he put a garden in that they wouldn't eat it. In fact, that year they only nibbled. The second year, however, threats of building a deer fence or procuring venison were to be heard in unwhispered terms.
louciao ~ :) You make me laugh! Not having had a garden, or plant eating deer, I never had that problem. I've always just seen them from a distance and of course am enamored with their cuteness, their domestic wildness - trying to connect Being to Being :) That's what "mystics" do - we try to hear the whispers... LOL And of course they're just being who they are - a deer, doing their deer thing...
DeleteSuch beautiful animals...right when I was thinking what amazing ears they have your next quote was 'I am all ears!' -- too cute. I can see why some are not as forgiving on that cuteness stuff...I feel the same way about gophers. Cute little buggers but they can amass huge amounts of damage...Christine...some day you may enjoy a Lumix camera. They come with Leica lens and usually have some of the best zoom capabilities. xoxo -L.
ReplyDeleteLeslie, Deer Heart :) ~ thanks for the recommendation on the camera! I will definitely keep that in mind when I'm ready for camera shopping - which hopefully will be this year :)
Deletethey are lovely and i love the ears in various poses. we have had few deer this year though other years more. but always too far away to photograph. i think your are excellent.
ReplyDeleteThank you Suki :) I was surprised that the deer have hung out in this neighborhood for so long, winding through the yards... Probably because they are being fed... Being that close to wildlife is just awesome :)
Delete'Deer Medicine' we call out when one of these beauties is seen...good gentle medicine.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have deer near my home in Virginia but when I lived in Ohio I would see them often (babes were often born in our back field) and one of my favorite memories is to be cross country skiing in the forest and stopping in awe as a herd would bound past in the deep snow... silent except for their steaming breath being expelled.
Hi D! Yes, definitely a sense of sacredness of Deer Medicine, of gentleness, and I sense innocence too. At least it brings out the innocent child of wonder in me :) I find it interesting that they keep showing up at my Mother's house! :) How special that you had them around your home in Ohio; and to have them so close in the forest. Beauteous wonders.
DeleteYou captured a bit of magic here - beautiful. Deer often stroll through my Mom's yard as well, although they are hard to spot. I always feel blessed in those moments when I spot them. They are majestic creatures.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kristen... :)
Deletefun:) you were gifted indeed. and especially excellent work for the type of photo equipment you were using.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Ed... Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say I am "gifted" - just lucky :) Right place, right time... Just having fun :) I'd be interested to know how you found me... I see from your blog that you are an writer/author...
DeleteShe's soo beautiful! What good luck-- right place, right time! I know there are deer down by the lake here. Seeing them up in our neighborhood is kinda rare, a special treat, usually in spring. Now I want to know more about power animals...
ReplyDeleteHi Kris - "power animals" is a Native American term. They believe that Nature and each animal has a certain "medicine" that helps us to walk in harmony, and that we have "power animals" that come to us to help teach us what we need to know. According to their tradition the deer teaches us about gentleness and compassion for others...
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