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Monday, December 20, 2010

View - by Bruce

The first photo is Mt. Mestas that we see out our front window. Since it is somewhat cloudy today and it has snow on it above the tree line it is hard to see clearly unless you click on it and enlarge it. If you look down our driveway you see the Spanish peaks mountains. Whether it is cloudy or bright the views are always spectacular here.


Here are some deer that congregate over our septic tank area where grasses grow very well and when other browse becomes scarce they like to frequent this area for the numerous varieties of forage. This particular doe happens to be the daughter of Daisy - possibly one of the best deer around with the exception of Junior who was the son of Daisy. She has a little one with her but it is unknown if it is hers or not. Further out back was one we know as the son of Hat-rack. Hat-rack got his name as he used to travel with Junior. He hung around late one season and I was talking to him and told him if he would drop his antlers I would use them to make a hat rack. Well he walked off a few feet, shook his head and one fell off right after our talk. He went a few more feet and shook and the other one came off. They were still wet with blood when I picked them up. Hence the name Hat-Rack. That is how he got his name.
Some would consider me strange for talking to wild animals. Perhaps it is the sound or tone of my voice but they will stand there for as long as I talk to them. I tell them all sorts of things and they will stand there while I talk to them. When I stop they get nervous and start to wander off. The one out back has the perfect match for Hat-racks antlers just like the other young one who has come around a few times has the perfect match for Junior. Body markings, antlers in their most unique form, etc.
The strange part was that Hat-Rack, Junior and another deer named Uno all got used to their name and would actually come by name when called. Junior would come for a nose rub and the other two would stand back 4-6 feet from us and watch. Genetics are wonderful and the younger bucks that come around now have the very same markings, antlers, and unique physicality that their dad's had.
Junior was the most unique as he would come right up to me and follow me around. He had a preference for Fuji apples and we would sometimes share an apple together. The other two while not quite that brave would not run away but kept a few feet of distance. I miss the old gang of deer that used to frequent our yard. They knew it was safe here and hung around a lot.
Those were good times and precious times that I miss a lot. What is strange is that totally wild animals will trust a human spontaneously on very rare occasions. When that happens you know it is a very rare occasion.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

4 comments:

Carol said...

just so you know, these things that Bruce writes about the wild animals are absolutely true. Some would discount them as "tall tales" but that couldn't be further from the truth. I was in our sleeping loft trying on some jeans when I noticed the son of Hat-Rack out back!

Barbara said...

Oh I just love your animals stories Bruce! They're my favorite of all! I miss Junior and I didn't even know him! You talk to the animals Bruce and they know.....they just know!

Julie said...

Your place sounds magical! I hope to be able to have experiences like that. It's wonderful that you are taking the time to get to know the animals as individuals, and that they know it's safe to have a relationship with you. What a gift!

Raylene said...

I had wonderful experience one summer in the early evening. I was out in the front yard sitting in the grass pulling weeds. Another red head was searching the lawn for moles I do believe…It was Ms Red Fox. She was in a beautiful coat with a wonderful tail…our fox get mange and have come to die in the yard—a left handed complement that they come here at such a vulnerable time. I talk to the animals as well and use my voice to be calm and caring to the creatures. The neatest thing was one evening in the dark when 4 adult owls were surrounding the back yard and chatting with each other. I managed to be out on the back deck for that moment. After the fire, I could not imaging leaving this place—I feel safe here and at peace in an area that is far from peaceful most of the time. Hugs, RR