Hoppy's girlfriend?

When people come to visit for the first time I always add, after giving them directions, " and watch out for deer!"

In the Lanark Highlands, drivers have to be on the look out for deer any time of the day, month or year. We have to practice "Constant vigilance!" (as Mad-eye Moodie says in Harry Potter). If one crosses the road in front of me I always slow down, as two or more often follow. You never know when a deer might suddenly burst from the brush at the side of the road. My neighbours have had deer run headlong into the side of their van - twice!

David and I have had many close calls with deer, but the one in the photo was not one of them. It crossed the road well ahead of my trusty van and as I had my camera, here's a shot of her! Don't the dried Queen Anne's Lace seed heads in the foreground look beautiful against the warm red-brown of the deer's winter coat?

Oh Deer!

I know these are not great photos. It was late in the day and by the time I got my camera out the deer were already across the road, so the shots are grainy. There were 5 deer in this group. I was pleased to see that they all looked fat and healthy - probably browsing on my perennials!

Just look at those tails! There is much discussion on the purpose of the white flags. Are they meant to scare approaching predators or warn other deer that danger is at hand? All I know is that I get a thrill every time I see them waving off through the bush.