The three of them stood absolutely still. They gazed intently at us when we came out onto the porch.

There were the father, mother, and their child. A family, for sure. The father had antlers, of course.

Over the last many years we have enjoyed watching these beautiful creatures as they come out of the woods to enjoy the bounty of the hay fields directly behind our house.

Once at twilight we counted 30 of them. Thirty! Usually there will be anywhere from three or four, and perhaps eight to 10, who come out to “dine.”

We truly love watching “our” deer. Having to mend fences occasionally because of them is not an onerous task at all. It’s a very small price to pay for the pleasure their presence provides for us.

Aren’t we admonished to “take time to smell the flowers?”

Well, we also take time to watch the deer. This is time well spent. Truly.

All creatures great and small. All God’s creatures. This we know.

We look upon these beautiful creatures as a gift.

And, for this, we are thankful.

There is so much in nature, so much all around us, that sometimes some of us really don’t pause to see, to hear, to “feel” what a wonderful world there is for us to enjoy … to appreciate.

And … the really good thing about so much of this is that it’s free. A gift.

We’ll be looking for our field friends again today as evening draws near.

APROPOS — “Those who wish to pet and baby wild animals ‘love’ them. But those who respect their natures and wish to let them live normal lives love them more.”
— Edwin W. Teale