Call me crazy but, despite this young deer devouring many of the plants in my garden, I love having it around. I first discovered it as a fawn along with its sibling and Mama. They'd climbed down our wooded hillside to cross the road in front of me. I came to a stop and wondered whether startled Mama would seek safety by leading the two back up the hill or by continuing on across to reach the grassy field. She made her decision and crouched low to sque-e-e-ze under the guardrail. The fawns followed. My heart! I knew she could have jumped over much more easily, but she squeezed below because she knew the fawns couldn't make that jump; and if that wasn't endearing enough? Reaching the field, the three began galloping to and fro with white tails flashing in happy abandon! Celebrating their successful crossing of the road? Happy to be together in a bright, sunny field? Loving the feel of the soft, warm grass beneath their hooves? Only God knows why, but the sight of their joyous frolicking makes me smile still. Wide. I see them regularly now, and this one's enjoying the plump Kousa dogwood berries currently littering the driveway.
