Fourteen Deer

Strong March sunshine seems to have drawn the deer out as can be seen by the mass of deer tracks directly in front of the house.  Sharp eyes may be able to find an impressively large group at the edge of the snow line backed by trees.  When we first noticed them they were much closer to the house.  We were standing motionless some distance back from the windows.  Still we were spotted almost as soon as we first saw them and they moved away.

Deer seem more active now.  Yesterday while I was returning from an errand run, three deer were spotted approaching the road.  I braked and one deer safely crossed in front of me.  Despite the fact that the two remaining were looking directly at me one decided to cross in front of me.  Hard braking avoided contact but the groceries on the front seat were thrown to the floor.  The third deer was the brightest in the bunch and waited on the roadside while I passed.  None of the juice bottles that went airborne were broken so no harm was done.

Here is another view of deer tracks directly in front of the house.  Three deer can be seen just inside of the tree line.  One is easily seen standing in line with the garden path that passes close by the end of the tumbled down stone wall.  Looking to the left the second one stands out just above a jumble of untrimmed apple branches.  The third one is well hidden behind bushes.  The entire herd scattered in all directions when the window was opened to take these pictures.

Later in the day only two deer were seen and opening the partially hidden basement door did not instantly spook them.  Very soon both disappeared over the hill.  Three more inches of snow are forecast for tomorrow night but daytime temperatures in the mid to high thirties and bright sunlight may make quick work of erasing the new snow.  We all need some time walking on snow free ground.