A Tale of Two Tails

So I can't tell much difference between one deer and the next except by size and if there are antlers involved.

Yesterday I was watching these two deers eat their way along the grass down the hill from my vegetable garden. 

 I was wondering if they would even attempt to reach the green leaves of the English laurel.  Last year they devoured those leaves and I almost lost the bushes.  This year I put up deer fencing around the four bushes and have kept the deer out as evidenced by these two that worked their way around the fencing. (The laurel is not visible in these photos but the green stake on the left side of the photo above is holding up one corner of the deer fencing.)  

As I watched I noticed the tails of these two. They were different. 

 Is this unusual to have one pointed and one squared off? 

 Now when I see a deer on the property again I'll have to take a closer look at the tail.

As a postscript I captured this lone robin on the fence of the vegetable garden.  Most of the winter the robins I've seen have been traveling in flocks.  Maybe this solo one is a harbinger of spring?

Joining Saturday Critters

Watch Deer?

Many people have watch dogs.  We have watch deer.

When we departed Saturday morning for an overnight excursion to south central Virginia, the deer were on guard duty at the bottom of the driveway in the wetlands.

This buck is growing some nice antlers.

This fawn has been known to sleep on the driveway keeping guard.  It was there Friday evening went we left to go see a movie.  It didn't want to move and seemed really put out to get out of the way.

Upon our return Sunday evening from Virginia, there was at least one in almost the same spot: the buck, standing guard duty.

More on our trip to Appomattox Couthouse in future posts.

Suppertime in My Backyard

I filled the green bird feeder hanging in the background and then scattered what was remaining of the sunflower seeds in the can on the snow for the ground feeding birds.  The cardinals were enjoying it last time I looked out.

But now this visitor is getting a belly full.

She's right outside my windows so she's sure to have seen me in there getting my supper ready.

She didn't run until I opened the door.

So as I'm writing this another deer has sauntered up to take her turn at the seeds.  Never ending battle with these deer!

Icing

We are in the grip of an ice storm.  It's treacherous out there and will be until it warms up some.  I stepped out the back to take these photos and almost slipped on the deck which I thought was only wet, but was iced.  I could hear the sound of branches cracking in the woods.  Limbs that have leaves/needles like the holly, beech and pine are hanging low.

It's beautiful so long as I'm nice and warm inside.

As I was preparing this post this deer came to the pond garden outside my study window.  It paws the leaves away looking for shoots of the liriope underneath.  It's hungry but I won't feed them as some of my friends in this community do.  They find things to eat.  Notice the cedar tree on the left below that has been munched on.

Bird Feeder? NOT!

I'll let these photos speak for themselves.

This feeder is not 10 feet outside my husband's study window.  Dan was practicing the guitar at the time and the deer was obviously listening but not frightened in the least.  When I stood at the window to take the photos it could see me but again it wasn't frightened away.  It was set on feeding on the sunflower seeds.  Dan said that on Wednesday as he worked at his computer the deer was there eating too.  It emptied the feeder then.

Our Second Snow Day!

The bird feeders were filled again this morning, but it's not just birds eating the sunflower seeds.  Here's one of two does that visited at lunch time no less to eat the spilled seed.

I didn't realize that when I sprinkled the seed on the snow for ground feeding birds that I'd also be feeding the deer.

Here she is outside Dan's study window oblivious to him sitting there.

Somehow she sees me taking her picture from the great room.

She's had enough so she heads off.

I remember a time when it was unusual to see deer.  Even when we'd vacation in West Virginia when the daughters were young it was a special event to happen upon the deer feeding in the fields at dusk.  Now they're out and about at all times and are everywhere.

Post script: 12-21-13 Linking to Saturday's Critters.
Snow in these photos is disappearing fast as our temps are at 50º and climbing.

Wordless Wednesday - Oh Deer!

Joining the Wordless Wednesday group

Bold Visitor

Can you see her?  She's just on the other side of the screen porch.

Eating the liriope!

Watching her fawn flee and then following.

Joining Our World Tuesday.