Tuesday, June 21, 2011

First day of summer

A lot of people have called our cool, rainy season this year an English spring. The result is the vegetation in the wooded lot next door is as lush and green as it's ever been. I've mentioned before that the lot is only 15 feet from my bedroom window and is separated by a retaining wall that drops down 4 feet into the woods.

A month ago, I was leaning on my elbows on the table where the cats sit to look out at the birds and squirrels. I do this often for a "pick-me-up". I saw a flash of white behind some tall shrubs surrounding the big black walnut tree. I thought it might be the local white squirrel that I hadn't seen for a while. I kept watch for a while as it moved erratically.  I soon realized why--the white object was attached to a white-tail deer!

The pretty young doe gradually approached the retaining wall and munched away on the weeds and leaves in front of me. She seemed to be aware of me but continued eating, no more distressed than if I were a picture on TV. She eventually moved off to a dark, far corner of the lot where I couldn't see her.

The next morning, I was sitting on my tiny patio with my three cats who were contentedly munching grass. In the stillness of the moment, the doe came slowly walking across the lawn. She stopped about 20 feet away and stared at us. Her white tail flicked nervously but she remained still. Neither the cats nor I made a move. We were a little tableau of watchers.

Then Sunny decided he had to check out that big creature. He very slowly advanced toward the doe and actually touched noses with her.(How I wish I had a picture!)  His curiosity satisfied, he came back to the patio. The deer remained unfazed and after determining there was no threat from us, daintily jumped down into the wooded lot and went back to her secluded corner.

The next morning, I was eagerly keeping watch for any sign of her when I spotted the fawn. It was standing on the back edge of the lot all bandy-legged and tiny. What a thrilling moment it was!  The doe's behavior made sense now. Nevertheless, she must have felt we were too close to the fawn and they moved on that night.

We now have a tom turkey strutting around--looking for a harem, no doubt. He will walk past my window going "gobble-gobble" sounding exactly like someone mimicking a turkey.

I absolutely love where I live! I'm surrounded by trees and wildlife on all sides, yet I live only twelve minutes from the State Capital in downtown St Paul.

11 comments:

Teresa Evangeline said...

How wonderful for you! Isn't it fun, seeing the wildlife so close, making our home, their home, or perhaps it's really the other way around. It's great to share the space. I love that the cat and the deer touched noses. What a great thing to witness.

Sparrow chic said...

Glad to see a blog from you and read the story of the deer and Sonny. Hope to visit your little corner of paradise soon !!

Linda Myers said...

I love your description! Yesterday I was sitting in Everett city traffic and an eagle was soaring right over the intersection.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you have an environment the animals can sense is safe for them. Good for you.

^..^Corgidogmama said...

Isn't it lovely to be surrounded by nature, and enjoy it so? And...to have all the perks of big city just minutes away. Lucky You! Hope all is well...

Kittie Howard said...

Yay, you're back! I've miss you, Ms Sparrow!!

I soooo enjoyed this post - could imagine it all - what curious and brave kitties you have - it always touches my heart when animals demonstrate that special kindness I wish more humans had.

Have a great summer!!!

Buttercup said...

What a beautiful scene. The Twin Cities is one of my favorite places -- though I think the winter is a little rough for me, but had a wonderful visit there in May a few years ago.

Joanna Jenkins said...

What an amazing sight and a gorgeous description of the doe and fawn. It was almost as good as seeing them in person. And I love that the cats were so "cool" about the visitor too :-)
Happy weekend, jj

Barbara Blundell said...

What a lovely, interesting place to live.I live in a built up area but we do have an urban fox and lots of garden birds like robins and goldfinches.

Ms Sparrow said...

Isn't it interesting that no matter how urbanized our surroundings, we still rejoice in the wildlife around us! Thanks for all your input.

gayle said...

Wow you were very lucky that you got to see the deer up close!