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Sunday, April 26, 2009

My Deer Friend

I want to tell you a story about how I snuck right up on a deer. I've gotten pretty close to these animals in the past, but not this close when there wasn't anything in between us. I could have actually reached out and touched this deer, and it might have let me. Well, on to the story!

I was hiking on my way out of my newest wandering spot, after seeing several wonderful sights. As I came to a fork in the trail, I saw a lone deer just off the trail. It was behind a couple of trees, grazing around the forest floor. It didn't notice me, so I used the cover of the biggest one of the trees to sneak right up close to it.

I noticed a long time ago that deer will stand behind trees, thinking that nobody can see them there. Usually they're completely right, but sometimes I'll just catch sight of one of them and their cover is blown. Even then, it works pretty well. Since it usually works for the deer, I figured I'd give it a try.

As I snuck up to this one, it would sometimes look up, sensing my presence. When this would happen, I just stopped and stood still until it went back to it's search for food. I remembered the time I made the deer mad at me, so I decided it was a good idea to stay near a tree for protection.

When I got close enough, I decided it was time to start taking a few pictures. This was the reason I got close to this animal in the first place. I knew I had to move from behind the tree a little bit now, and I hoped I'd get a few shots before the deer ran away. So I eased myself from behind the tree and began to take my pictures.

Of course as soon as I stepped out the deer saw me. When this happened I froze! I hoped it wouldn't run too quickly. To my amazement, it just stood there looking right at me. It didn't move at all! I must have surprised it so completely that it didn't know what to do. Well, I decided right then to keep taking pictures.

Just as this was happening, the deer turned it's head the other way. I looked in the same direction, and saw two women coming up the trail. The deer was nervous now, but it looked back at me as if I could protect it from them. It had decided I wasn't a threat, and I would keep the women away. I can't explain how I knew this except for the look it gave me.

I took another few steps towards it to test my theory, and it didn't move away! I was now off the trail standing very near my new friend. I had now completely forgotten my pictures. The two women stopped to watch the deer for a few seconds too. I stayed where I was because if the deer trusted me to protect it, I wasn't going to let it down.

Through all of this, the deer felt safe enough to go back to it's grazing. The women got enough of a look and eventually walked away. To their credit, they were smart enough to stay quiet while they were there, after I motioned it to them with a raised finger to my mouth. The deer was still there peacefully eating it's meal.

I had already checked to make sure it was alright. It was moving around without any indication of injury. It was just a case where I must have fooled it so thoroughly that it decided I must belong there. Maybe the fact that the women also frightened it while it was confused, led it to believe it would take a friend anywhere it could get one.

Whatever the case, when I decided the deer was okay, I turned and walked back onto the trail and away. I looked back when I was getting far away, and I noticed the deer now walking into the forest completely unconcerned. I then turned back to make my way out of the park.

17 comments:

  1. Wow that was pretty amazing. I can understand that it must have been special.

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  2. Yes, it was very special. It was the first wild animal I've seen that didn't mind me being near it.

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  3. Ratty meets Bambi? So good when you can get close to wildlife.

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  4. It's a good experience indeed. Luckily this one is more friendly than the earlier one.

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  5. We went on a hike last weekend and saw a couple of deers on the trail. But they didn't give us enough time to get the camera out of the case and take a picture or two. They saw us and immediately went hiding in tall bushes and "weeds."

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  6. I once encountered a deer in Marin County. I was walking a trail and from out of nowhere the deer was right in front of me about 20 feet away or so. We both just stopped and looked at each other. I have to admit I was a bit afraid and thought to myself if I run I'll be chased. So, I just turned around slowly and walked away and when I turned around he was gone. They are beautiful animals though and so are your photos.

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  7. Wow! That was really close! Your deer friend directly staring at you. :-) Could it be love at first sight? :-)

    Great shot my friend!

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  8. I always am loving it when we get to see any animal close up! We've been pretty close to alot of birds but never a deer! Nice stalking job today.

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  9. Mike - The deer was as trusting as Bambi. I kind of wish I would have continued to get pictures, but then I probably would have lost it's trust.
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    Rainfield - Yes, it was lucky. It could have just as easily turned out like the other one. I don't recommend that anyone else try to move that close to a wild animal. I probably should not have done it, but I'm glad it seemed to like me.
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    Carl - That's the same thing that happens to me most of the time. Deer usually see us before we see them, and they will run away immediately. Stories like this happen to me only because I'm out so much.
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    Poetic Shutterbug - It's probably a good thing you didn't run. You were intelligent enough to think before you reacted. You were probably safe, but a lot of animals will instinctively chase another that runs from them. I had a very similar experience with my Dangerous Deer post. That deer was clearly showing aggression towards me.

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  10. Ron - It might have been love at first sight. The deer did seem to like having me there, and my jacket was the same color as it's coat. :D
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    Julia - I try to practice sneaking up on animals almost every day. Birds used to be very hard for me, but they are coming around too now.

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  11. This is really nifty! You are becoming an expert sneak!

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  12. Sharkbytes - When I started sneaking up close to animals, I thought that's how everybody did it. After I found out that most people just have really good cameras, I'm enjoying it even more. I just have to remind myself to use some caution.

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  13. That is cool! I can even see the detail of its hair etc, close! It is so cool when we make a connection with nature that goes beyond looking, observing. Great post Ratty!

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  14. Great shots! That's some real luck when you just wind up with a critter at close range.

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  15. Scott - You were the first to mention the deer's hair. It's one of the things I liked aboutthe picture. I got even closer, but I didn't take more pictures, because I didn't want to betray the deer's trust.
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    Wandering Justin - Animals have been at ease around me lately. This is the first one that didn't get angry with me for coming too close though.

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  16. I told you that you were an animal whisperer!!!!
    Nice shots of the trusting deer! He knows your scent now, so you may see him again soon.

    Did you see the dragon yet? I left him off on the way thru...so he is in your neighborhood. Don't forget to tell Alice I brought him back down to you!

    The Retirement Chronicles

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  17. The Retired One - I think maybe the deer was a human whisperer. With only a few gestures, she convinced me to be her protector.

    As a matter of fact, I was searching for the dragon just yesterday. I haven't seen him yet, but I told Alice he's in the area. She's been wrapped up in the world of Wonderland right now, so I'm not sure when she'll get to see it.

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