While I was reading
in the library recently, a brown swish passed by the picture window
and caught my eye. Another movement quickly followed. A rumbling
thunder pounded the ground as two half-grown fawns raced from back
yard to front, with hooves airborne. Again and again they raced
around the red twig bush, with dried horse chestnut leaves flying off
the ground, and returned to the back yard. This dogwood bush is
showing more pinkish-red color as the cool nights announce autumn is
here to stay, at least for three short months. One deer returned to
scale the knoll by the pump house. He approached it as if he was on
a pogo stick—all four legs stiff as he bounced and flexed his young
muscles.
They had their
morning fun and returned to the back yard to rest under the grape
arbor and chewed their cud. They feast on the low-hanging grapes and
the tender new leaves.
We are harassed by
patches of clover from the result of old orchard grass in our lawn.
The deer love to nibble on the clover flowers and any other
beautiful, tender blossoms within their reach. I'm thankful they
ignore, at least for this year, my colorful dahlias. One year they
will devour my favorites and the next year they change their diet to
another treasure of mine. This year they loved my chocolate plants
for the first time. I can't blame them for that treat. Chocolate is
addicting.
This herd of wild
animals spends a lot of time in our yard. My husband's official deer
food from the pet store, the salt lick block and the watering trough
under the cedar tree makes them feel welcome until deer season when
they wisely disappear from the neighborhood.
Juanita