I'm use to seeing 15 to 20 whitetail deer and wild turkey standing at the front of our house every morning, they've been doing it for years - patiently waiting for my husband or me to bring out a bucket of alfalfa and corn blend to feed them their morning breakfast.
They faithfully follow us as we place the blend on tree stumps, and scatter it along the rocky path. One favorite buck, we named Buttons is always first to greet us, and the first to eat. He prefers nibbling his pellets right out of the pail I hold in my hand.
My husband cautions me not to get too attached to the deer, they are wild after all. I know he's right. But, Buttons is special, a very dear deer you might say. I could go outside right now, call his name and he'd come to me. Buttons often beds down on a pile of hay outside my study window, and when it's feeding time he allows me to pet his muzzle.
As I said, it's not at all unusual to see deer, turkey, rabbits, porcupines - once even a raccoon out front. Today, however, we had two new wildlife guests - a mighty sized, magnificent moose and her calf. The mama's dark chocolate brown color made me think of giant chocolate bunnies at Easter time - but this moose was no edible candy, she was a marvelous creature of the wild; Her beauty awesome to behold.
I watched for the longest time as they stopped to nudge the cold muddy ground with their nose, or chew a piece of green on a leafless tree. They seemed in no hurry to move on, but cautiously curious about this wooded place, even permitting me to to take a few pictures. Eventually, as if concerned she might wear out their welcome , Mama Moose lifted her head and twixt her ears, as if giving a signal it was time to go, then leisurely strolled away. It didn't take long for her young calf to quickly follow. I can only hope we made them feel welcome, and they'll stop by to visit another day.
*** Included here is youtube slideshow of Mama Moose & Her Calf (2 minutes)
