A Deer Story

Two deers bookended a woods-walk the other morning.

I was driving to the trailhead, early - not quite 6:30 - and saw a deer eating on the side of the road. I expected it to run off into the field as they typically do - but instead it stayed put and watched me move slowly towards it.

When I got fully parallel to it - 3.5-4ft away feet away from the car - I stopped, the window down and we just stared at each other for a long moment before it went back to eating.

Well, that’s new. It’s winding roads to the trailhead; I’ve driven it enough to know the deer are quick to bolt at the sound of a car.

This ability to get closer to the animals is something I’ve noticed for a few weeks now. (I think it has to do with changes in the electromagnetic fields we share.)

Oddly enough I’ve found myself more at ease with humans as well. More willing to engage in small talk - never really a strength in my wheelhouse - and as a result sharing brief exchanges.

Rather than the cursory smile and wave I typically offer - as I maintain my pace as we pass on the trail - I’ve been following their lead; if they slow and want to chat, I follow suit. (I barely recognize myself this way.)

My preference to have the woods to myself has not changed - and I usually manage to to do it - but now when I come across the stray human, instead of cursing my fate under my breath, I smile and genuinely feel… nearly welcoming. This isn’t so bad. It’s just a human.

This is a pretty-close-to-verbatim exchange I had with one, the same morning of the deer bookends.

I finished the 45 minute loop and was taking a last gander at the river before heading to my car. A man I hadn’t noticed, was suddenly standing downstream, maybe a dozen or so feet from me.

“River’s pretty low. Happened fast. Did you see it 3 weeks ago? Still raging. Well, maybe it’s been a month, not sure.”

“Yup.” I nodded, agreeing. “Noticed that.” Long pause as we watch the river and let the birds chirping fill in the silence.

“Saw a pileated pecker recently,” I offer. “Maybe couple weeks ago. Right up the trail.”

“I know it. Haven’t seen it lately but hear it. Just live up the road.”

“So great to have this place in walking distance.”

More agreeable nodding.

I add, “Got like, maybe 8-10ft from it. That’s unusual. For me anyway.”

He’s nodding. “Yeah. Was just having that conversation with my wife.”

I wait for more information that doesn’t come.

“Meaning?”

“Meaning lately the critters and such don’t need as much space from us.”

I smile. “I’ve noticed the same. (I consider telling him about the deer but decide against it.) Instead I say, “I’m taking it as a good omen. A good sign. Of what exactly, I don’t know.”

He almost smiles. “Well, you sound like my wife. Like I said to her - that’s okay when you’re talking birds and bunnies, but I don’t know we want the bobcats and bears feeling like they can hang out in the backyard.”

I let out a laugh.

“Bird seed costs enough. I don’t wanna have to start feeding them too.”

It’s a good time to move on and we each head in our intended directions, with have a good one salutations.

I drive away deciding not to double-back, but use a different route out. It’s here that I come across the other bookend of my story. Another deer by the side of the road remarkably un-startled by my car and its slow approach.

“Hey,” I say to the deer, now just a few feet away, as I come to a full stop. “So you’re okay with stranger-humans getting close all of sudden?”

It looks at me with those crazy big, intelligent, eyes. I will hold its gaze until it’s had enough, which doesn’t take long. It goes back to eating.

I drive away. And it hits me that it’s not just the deer who have lately gotten more comfortable with human proximity.

Oh, dear. Funny life.

Thanks for reading.

PS - I know my publishing has been less than robust lately. I have a draft on just that topic! (Course, I have a draft on several dozen topics, so….) I hope to finish it soon.

https://ko-fi.com/kathleen87247