Yep, I'm in Oregon. And here are Oregon Ducks, to prove the point (college team...very successful this year, BTW)! These two pairs have taken over the north end of town, trundling up hills (steep) and down, casing every yard for bird feeders that leak seeds, and thoroughly enjoying themselves in the ditches when it rains. These are the same ditches we played in as kids, only now they have grass instead of just mud....No one seems to know just who they belong to. They literally stop traffic, as I witnessed this morning. Two were just in the process of crossing the street over to our yard, leaving one in the middle of the road and one sleeping in the grass. A lady in an oncoming car slowed...and slowed some more...then stopped, hands and shoulders shrugging as she waited for the middle-of-the-road sitter to finish the course. But no, he started calling his mate to wake up and get movin'! So here she comes, waddling at duck speed, to join him - and he didn't move an inch while waiting for her - that's true duck-love. The patient driver finally rolled down her window and asked if I knew who they belonged to (the most popular question of passing dog-walkers, strollers, and slow drivers as they go by our house). I declined any knowledge, which she may or may not have believed since the ducks were then quacking contentedly past my feet on the way to the bird feeders...
Not to be outdone by a stampede of ducks, the resident deer ambled through the back yard right after breakfast. Mom has watched this baby grow up, every since it showed up with her mamma as a tiny wobbly spotted fawn. They make regular forays through the streets and yards, and occasionally the gardens.
Mamma wasn't too far behind, grazing the rich grasses just below the dining room window. It was nice of the sun to help with the lighting, after hiding behind a week or so of stormy weather.
Ummmm - did you know this is how lady deer "tinkle"? I have to admit that this is the very first time I have ever, in all my years of living in deer country, seen a deer take care of business. When a gal's gotta go, she's gotta go!
Which makes me wonder - do the guy deer lift a leg, like a dog? Or squat like a bunny like the girls do?
One of life's little mysteries.
3 comments:
This photo of the deer in tinkle mode really needs to get submitted to a wildlife magazine. How do you get these stunning photos Becky?!!!!!!
Oops!. I just credited the wrong sister with the good shot. Great going with the camera Candy.
I'm glad you got some shots of the deer Mom keeps talking about! What pretty pictures. I've seen the deer around here squat that way as well. I think they've all been does, though. I guess the mystery remains. :-)
Post a Comment