In the bittersweet hour at day’s end, just before dusk descends, the stage here on the Cutoff shifts to Act III; the mood changes, the tension builds, the lighting begins to fade – and the knights of the forest come into view.
So it has been this week. If I watch deliberately, I can see them, emerging, one by one, from tall oak forest. First, a doe will appear, her young fawn trailing behind. She will suddenly bolt across the road and I know that not far behind are her suitors.
I watched the other night as one of the “boys” took his time crossing from our neighbors’ yard, through the brush, into ours. With his crown firmly in place, he displayed a steady gait and a regal posture. A fawn was frolicking behind him; possibly the same youngster I spied just outside our living room window at the crack of dawn, so close was he that the window pane was all that separated us. The fawn was cheeky in the misty morn, and so was the one come dusk, nuzzling up to his elder as if nuzzling up to his mom.
Both buck and boy were aware of my presence and both simply ignored me; like other boys I have known. Soon, very soon, two other bucks appeared, then a doe. While to some the lyrics “doe, a deer, a female deer” might have come to mind, my own inner voice seemed to want to sing “the boys are back in town!”.
These photos are blurry. Just remember, I’m a novice whose view of nature is often one of awesome impressionism.
Well, I Love your awesome impressionism. And I love that sentence. I’ve often taken pictures from inside when that was all that was possible. I’m not seeing deer in the yard as often now that Buddy is here. But, it’s a good trade, and I’m still hoping they will get used to his presence and become more comfortable.
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Thank you, Teresa. Buddy is, indeed, a good trade. In the six years we have been here, the deer have become braver when we are around. I am surprised by the amount of leisure time they spend in the neighbor’s yard as they have a lab, so, who knows how long Buddy will be a deterrent.
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I wanted to add: that was such a fun movie, wasn’t it? I miss Heath.
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I miss Heath as well. So sad.
It was a fun movie. I think I find something new to enjoy about it each time I see it – and I almost never saw it. I don’t know why I resisted, but, someone who knows me well gave me an idea of what fun I was in for. I’m so glad I listened to her.
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Dear Penny, I so liked reading that your photographs were impressionistic! That’s a delightful thing to say and way to think. And really your photographs always enhance your lyrical writing that draws me into your story and your garden. The play of the boys you saw is one that will remain in my mind. Thank you for sharing it. Peace.
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So nice of you to say so, Dee. Thank you very much.
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How nice for the boys to return. I love your Impressionistic pictures.
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I thought so, too, Janet, and I thank you as well.
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Am so glad you get to enjoy the “boys” and capture them in photographs. Ours here on our slough are brave too and let the cats wind around their feet. We feed them corn from a feeder on a tree and they gather at dusk. Heavenly.
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Wow. They are brave; both the deer and the cats, Marilyn. I can just picture that peaceful co-existence at dusk on the slough. Actually, that has a rather romantic sound to it. Enjoy your little bit of heaven.
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Hooray! The boys are back and I think your pics are just wonderful, Penny!
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I thank you Kate!
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Awesome! We have deer in the woods but they don’t come out into the inhabited parts. I’d love to be able to watch deer from my window.
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We are fortunate to be able to do so, Friko, but I do envy you that view of your castle from your house.
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Penny, I’m just like you around deer. I get so excited every time I see one. Or several. They are so weightless, the way they spring from their feet over the uneven ground.
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Oh, that is such a good description! They are weightless, Andra. We watched them spring over three feet of snow drifts two winters ago and it was just that. Weightless.
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Awesome impressionism, I like it! When I saw the pictures I said to myself, ‘Here’s trouble!’ But let’s hope they are more interested in each other than in your plants. It’s quite something to live on the edge of the wilds.
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Thank you. Oh, it means trouble for sure, Juliet. Once the boys start “locking horns”, the trees become competition. We lost a bush that one randy buck felt he needed to spar with last year. Our neighbor across the road already has some of the deer fences up to protect the young trees. Yes, life on the edge can be challenging.
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I am awed by nature too — and honored when I’m able to take any picture of a bird or animal. No matter how blurry, my picture serves as a reminder of what’s important. And your pictures and words do too!
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How nicely put, Sallie. Thank you. Our pictures due serve to remind us and that is a very good thing, indeed.
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What a wonderful experience, Penny! I love nature, too, and have many wonderful experiences, but I would just love to have deer right up to my window! Wow! I think your photos are great. I’d be so excited I don’t know if I could do that well! There’s that fine line between taking the time to take the perfect picture and missing out on really seeing “the action” as it unfolds. And the tie-in to Knight’s Tale is so great! I hope you get to see the boys again! 🙂 Debra
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It is a fine line, Debra. I almost missed the fawn up at my window in my search for the camera. Luckily, I didn’t. Thank you. I did see the boys again last night, three of them, roaming around. They are a sight to behold and will be even more so as their racks continue to grow. Enjoy your weekend, Debra.
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I love your nature posts! It’s so cool that you have a front row seat to so many cool things. I get squirrel and ground hog action in my yard, but that’s about it.
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Those squirrels and ground hogs can provide drama of their own, Danielle. We once had a squirrel untie a pillow from a chaise lounge on our deck and try to drag it to who-knows-where? Thank you. We are so fortunate to have all nature so close.
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Impressionist photography is the art form for the future… I love it. You’ve also had me humming “The boys are back in town” all day. I do hope those does are ok. J.
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Aha! I’ve started a trend. A little caffeine and and unsteady hand – we can all become famous, Janice. The does will be fine. There were two sets of twins this summer. This early “action” makes me wonder what next spring will bring.
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