Contributed by:
YourHub.com
Article Contributed on: 7/30/2006 7:50:46 PM
The deer family in our blue spruce hedge seems to like it here. I investigated the corner of the hedge. This is the lounge area. It's also protective coloring at its best, because it's really hard to tell there's a deer in there.
I creep slowly, closer and closer, trying to be nonintrusive.
Yeah, I''m a human stalking in the blazing sun in an open yard. He's in the dark cool undergrowth of a mammoth 50-year-old blue spruce hedge that is thick enough to repel Hummers and maybe Mel Gibson as Mad Max. And I have a shiny metallic box in my hand.
I am not an example of protective coloring, which may be something Condeleeza Rice should consider implementing while in foreign countries.
So the deer hop out. One, two, three.
Before today, I hadn't quite figured out how many there are.
I also realized they've been particularly content because our neighbors have been on vacation. Less activity. No paper, though.
I can tell they're feeling comfortable, because when we're eating dinner outside they stroll through the backyard, casually, as if they're window shopping or on a group tour at an art gallery.
So, say hello to my wild pets. So far, they are getting along with the domestic pets. Stare downs are the only confrontations I have witnessed.
But, there is so much that goes on at night.
Last night,, we heard a horrible screeching high-pitched, half-human, half animal squeal. At first I thought it was a dog being ripped mercilessly apart by a bear.
But it kept screeching, so I knew if the first scenario was accurate, the screeching would be over. Curtains.
We decided it was the neighborhood fox. And this was confirmed by my neighbor who claims to watch the fox family playing on the hill from their backyard.
"Yes, it was the fox."
The sound is a cross between bird and human terror. I have no idea what it means in the animal world.