Another wonderful piece of writing, Bill. I shudder when the fall comes and we see the carcasses of deer along the highway. One time at dusk a group came bounding out of the brush and ran across the road right in front of me. We were all lucky -- they made it to the other side and I got to see them.
Thank you Mary-Margaret. I am glad you appreciate this essay. I agree that it is sad to see deer that get hit by vehicles. I think their highly evolved senses get overwhelmed by the lights and speed of the vehicles. Fortunately, many of them still manage to cross roads safely. When I am in an area with a lot of deer at dawn and dusk I drive slowly and scan for them and I have never had a close call.
Thanks Gail. I thought the image of the deer coming out of the water was striking too. I like the way it highlights their muscles. They are a bundle of muscle and energy. That fawn came within six feet of me. She was so innocent and naive. It was an exciting encounter.
Even after living closely with these creatures for many years, I still love to see the White-tailed deer around our neighborhood animated by their ancient and gentle wisdom. One of my favorite memories is the sight of a small herd running back and forth, at play in our backyard, on the morning after a light snowfall. The sparkling light! Their obvious joy! Very moving. And so similar to how the neighbor children would also spend the morning: in celebration--sheer delight at being alive.
All the delicate details speak to me in this one, Bill. Thank you.
Thank you Ann. I wish more people could see deer at play. They can be very playful animals when they are undisturbed and at ease. I can picture the deer playing in your backyard in the snow. They are so well insulated that moderate snow and cold do not seem to phase them.
What a lovely way to start my day. Thank you, again, Bill. Deer have a special place in my heart and you've captured their essence in word and image so beautifully. I was not aware of this Mary Oliver poem and thank you for that, as well.
I know you've mentioned over these months some books you've read this year. I'd be curious to know which have been your favorites.
I am glad you asked. I often think about writing essays that review books. There are so many good books, it is hard to narrow it down, but, I do have a few favorites from the past year.
The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen
The Island Within and Heart and Blood by Richard Nelson
Inciting Joy by Ross Gay
The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elizabeth Tova Bailey
Another beautiful post Bill - thank you! I am more familiar with the behavior of Moose and Caribou and recently moved to where I am surrounded by white-tailed deer. I, too, live on the edge of a nature preserve and my dog Lukas and I have been learning about our deer neighbors these last two years. Your post not only celebrated them but also taught me a number of things about their behavior. Thank you. And thanks for sharing the dream you had with them too - I feel they are honoring you in return.
Thank you Julie. You must have lived in a wild place. I have come to really appreciate deer that have habituated to people. I know they are challenging to live with, but I feel like I am getting a window into the past and I appreciate the chance to observe them.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful poem. I wanted to include a photo that captured the billowing breath of a deer on a winter morning, but I ran out of room. The image shows a mature buck standing in thick cover within pockets of shadow and a cloud of steamy breath fills the air around him. The breath made visible seems to capture something of the life force of deer.
Whitetail deer are so often overlooked, but they are beautiful and intelligent creatures. I see them in the mornings when I ride my bicycle through the trails.
Years ago, when we were just kids playing outside, a young doe let us pet her for several minutes. We tied a string from one of our hoodies around her neck hoping to see her again, but we never did. Seems almost like a dream these many years later.
Oh, deer. What a great post, Bill. One of the main events in the drama of life — acted out before us if only we stop to observe, as you always do. Thanks.
Thank you Bryan. Watching deer in the fall seems so primal. There is something reassuring about watching life go on as it always has despite the changes we have made to the land.
Great encounters with an under-appreciated animal here in North America. Excellent photos - especially that one photo where you can see your own reflection in that doe's eyes.
As the sun streams in my window and the big truck traffic rides by down below-
I’m in the warm kitchen and the essay filled me with joy. I miss the days last winter in Texas Hill Country where 40 plus deer come into my brothers land and eat some breakfast early each am, they have their trail they take and people feed them corn. There their territories are broken up by ranches and roads :-0 also some smaller properties and they must cross some fast through roads, (ranchers don’t slow down) to get to the water.
There can be also stupid barbed wire! The photos are so inspiring and it’s cool to see that animals too desire sie contact with us. I dream of patting their necks. And hugging them.
Another wonderful piece of writing, Bill. I shudder when the fall comes and we see the carcasses of deer along the highway. One time at dusk a group came bounding out of the brush and ran across the road right in front of me. We were all lucky -- they made it to the other side and I got to see them.
Thank you Mary-Margaret. I am glad you appreciate this essay. I agree that it is sad to see deer that get hit by vehicles. I think their highly evolved senses get overwhelmed by the lights and speed of the vehicles. Fortunately, many of them still manage to cross roads safely. When I am in an area with a lot of deer at dawn and dusk I drive slowly and scan for them and I have never had a close call.
I love your pictures! And especially enjoyed the two does coming out of the water,
and the Bambi’s looking over their spots at you and the camera.
Thanks Gail. I thought the image of the deer coming out of the water was striking too. I like the way it highlights their muscles. They are a bundle of muscle and energy. That fawn came within six feet of me. She was so innocent and naive. It was an exciting encounter.
Even after living closely with these creatures for many years, I still love to see the White-tailed deer around our neighborhood animated by their ancient and gentle wisdom. One of my favorite memories is the sight of a small herd running back and forth, at play in our backyard, on the morning after a light snowfall. The sparkling light! Their obvious joy! Very moving. And so similar to how the neighbor children would also spend the morning: in celebration--sheer delight at being alive.
All the delicate details speak to me in this one, Bill. Thank you.
Thank you Ann. I wish more people could see deer at play. They can be very playful animals when they are undisturbed and at ease. I can picture the deer playing in your backyard in the snow. They are so well insulated that moderate snow and cold do not seem to phase them.
What a lovely way to start my day. Thank you, again, Bill. Deer have a special place in my heart and you've captured their essence in word and image so beautifully. I was not aware of this Mary Oliver poem and thank you for that, as well.
I know you've mentioned over these months some books you've read this year. I'd be curious to know which have been your favorites.
Hi Kathryn,
I am glad you asked. I often think about writing essays that review books. There are so many good books, it is hard to narrow it down, but, I do have a few favorites from the past year.
The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen
The Island Within and Heart and Blood by Richard Nelson
Inciting Joy by Ross Gay
The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elizabeth Tova Bailey
What an Owl Knows by Jennifer Ackerman
Alex and Me by Irene Pepperberg
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
Illumination in the Flatwoods by Joe Hutto
Another beautiful post Bill - thank you! I am more familiar with the behavior of Moose and Caribou and recently moved to where I am surrounded by white-tailed deer. I, too, live on the edge of a nature preserve and my dog Lukas and I have been learning about our deer neighbors these last two years. Your post not only celebrated them but also taught me a number of things about their behavior. Thank you. And thanks for sharing the dream you had with them too - I feel they are honoring you in return.
Thank you Julie. You must have lived in a wild place. I have come to really appreciate deer that have habituated to people. I know they are challenging to live with, but I feel like I am getting a window into the past and I appreciate the chance to observe them.
Captivated and longing to run with the deer in my neck of the woods.
Thank you.
Running with the deer is a beautiful image. It would be amazing to be able to speed along and leap like a deer.
They make it look so effortless!
Oh ! Can you put the photo in notes?
Would love to see it
I just posted the photo to notes.
Thank you for your writing! I enjoy reading your posts.
What a truly wonderful , place to experience. Thank you for taking us there in photos , words, and chorus.
I am always silenced and left in awe of any wildlife encounter.
A small gift in return;
Intangible
I reach with my eyes
Longing for just one glance
To make eye contact
I am seen
We hold each other in gaze
Humbled to be acknowledged in peace and mutual respect
The deer breathes out with an audible whoosh
I breath in
taking the moment with me for a lifetime
An Enchanted encounter
Thank you for sharing your beautiful poem. I wanted to include a photo that captured the billowing breath of a deer on a winter morning, but I ran out of room. The image shows a mature buck standing in thick cover within pockets of shadow and a cloud of steamy breath fills the air around him. The breath made visible seems to capture something of the life force of deer.
Whitetail deer are so often overlooked, but they are beautiful and intelligent creatures. I see them in the mornings when I ride my bicycle through the trails.
Years ago, when we were just kids playing outside, a young doe let us pet her for several minutes. We tied a string from one of our hoodies around her neck hoping to see her again, but we never did. Seems almost like a dream these many years later.
Oh, deer. What a great post, Bill. One of the main events in the drama of life — acted out before us if only we stop to observe, as you always do. Thanks.
Thank you Bryan. Watching deer in the fall seems so primal. There is something reassuring about watching life go on as it always has despite the changes we have made to the land.
Thank you for sharing and writing about beautiful animals.
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Great encounters with an under-appreciated animal here in North America. Excellent photos - especially that one photo where you can see your own reflection in that doe's eyes.
As the sun streams in my window and the big truck traffic rides by down below-
I’m in the warm kitchen and the essay filled me with joy. I miss the days last winter in Texas Hill Country where 40 plus deer come into my brothers land and eat some breakfast early each am, they have their trail they take and people feed them corn. There their territories are broken up by ranches and roads :-0 also some smaller properties and they must cross some fast through roads, (ranchers don’t slow down) to get to the water.
There can be also stupid barbed wire! The photos are so inspiring and it’s cool to see that animals too desire sie contact with us. I dream of patting their necks. And hugging them.