After a new snow I typically follow deer tracks to avoid drifts and other hidden dangers that might trip you up. Deer must have an extra sense that detects things lurking below the fluffy white continuum of winter's wonderland.
The other morning I walked out to raise the flag which is about 200 yards from our house in Eureka, NV. Deep snow had accumulated overnight and there were no deer tracks to follow. I dead reckoned my usual path without incident, set the flag and returned home for a cup of coffee.
I repeated my routine the next morning and to my delight found deer tracks following my path from the day before. That evening there were deer in the yard feasting on the seed we leave out for the birds each morning. This simple bond between humans, animals and the paths we follow brought a lot of happiness to my New Year.
Cheers & Happy New Year,
Colonel Possum
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Comments: 32
Cheers
Cheers
Since the new TransCanada Highway was built on the east end of the farm at the home place next door, they put up a moose fence. Not to many moose to date seem to have found the gates in the fence, so both deer and moose are handy to us. Moose seem to like man-made-snowmobile trails. the deer are everywhere, which is great to see.
Great to see you back old buddy.
and love that pic (you handsome devil) - compliments to sage, i assume.
Cheers
And what a great morning to wake up to all these wonderful comments!
Mariana - ...and what a fabulous charm you are!
Marge - thank you! I imagine it is just a bit colder here than sunny Santa Barbara!
Lynn - thank you and have a happy new year, I'll tell the deer you dropped by!
Wilhelmine - my goodness dear, your comment is a beautiful story in itself. It seems you live at the convergence of so many paths, human-made and animal. There must be pleasant sounds of passage each morning and evening!
Mona dearest - thank you hon, and I got my special mission assignment this morning! Yes, and Sage is in the sack because the coffee is still brewing.
Faith - what a treat to hear from you! Send some warm weather this way!
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
Cheers,
What a great little story and fine picture.
Glad to see you that you are doing so well.
Your digs look pastoral all wrapped in that fine snow.
Happy New Year to you and your camp!!
Madame Donna - northern Arizona, a beautiful place indeed! Did you get a little snow your way about a month ago? Strange weather indeed! Have a wonderful New year.
Bill's Spirit - Thanks and give your Donna a big New Year's hug from the ole Colonel!
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
Good luck, it is a lot of fun isn't it? Stay warm up in the big middle North! I'll look forward to hearing about your find.
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
What a treat to hear from you. As Tuck has no doubt told you, a good sense of smell only enhances the journey down a path. My late dog Henry told me once that he and I could have a lot better conversations if I only had a more sophisticated sense of smell.
Happy New Year & Cheers,
Colonel Possum
We don't get deer in our city, but the night crowd has included a fox lately
sharing space with the rest under the feeders. A good reminder that life can be beautiful!
I hope you share more photos of your surroundings, it's a real treat for those of us stuck here in southeast Louisiana who hardly (well we did a month ago) get snow.
Krista - Good morning! A treat to hear from you, does your fox have a name?
Stephanie - Yes, the deer always know they are safe in our yard. That was a real suprise to have snow in Luziana - ha!
Jennifer - It is lovely and a bit cold at times! Thank you for your comment.
Happy New Year and Cheers!
Colonel Possum
Good morning Colonel - Sistah Mariana sent me :) I enjoyed this very much. The paths shared by humans and wildlife are amazing. Our crab apple tree attracts a regular crew of two or three deer. I've learned to recognize them and they continue to graze on apples while I sit and sip my coffee on the back porch. Hubby feeds seed to the birds in our bushes and some of them are coming an inch from his hand now and chirping in conversation. When we are at peace, the affinity between humans and animals is incredible.
Morning folks!
At little catch up!
John - thanks & good to hear from you, pardner.
Stacey M - thank you sweetheart. It is Spring up here the dear are back in the yard and the warblers in the trees. I guess they must have got the message from the critters in your yard!
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
As I live near the sea all the creatures are my friends and love talking to them while swimming. But I have to see all that snow in ages and I really wonder how it is to live surrounded by snow...it must be so beautiful!
As you can see i'm back with the living ha ha.
Woderful story thank you.
Marley