It's 9AM

Aug 22, 2023

Oh deer.

Dear?

Nope, deer.

I saw these two out on my run yesterday, just after seeing four more on the other side of the river.

These weren’t as much of a surprise as the four.

Six deer in the middle of the city is still something to smile about.

These were in Burns Park where the trail runs next to a hayfield beside the water.

I’m not sure why I noticed them.

They were quiet and hidden and just munching along til I showed up.

Then they watched me until I left them in peace.

The other four came down the side of a steep embankment that led from a subdivision on top of the ridge.

I heard the noise and stared as they came to a stop by the railroad tracks.

One kept look out while the others grazed.

When I stepped closer to get a picture, they bolted.

I’ve been running at night through my neighborhood and watched as a small herd spooked in front of me before.

And I’ve been chasing trail in the middle of the woods when one crashed through the pines and spooked me.

It is very difficult to differentiate between a deer running away from you and a Bigfoot tearing through the bushes to get you, sometimes.

I’m just glad it’s not bear.

I’d be torn between thinking it’s a Sasquatch and wanting a big cuddle.

Another runner told me once, when I was running in bear country, if it’s brown, lay down, if it’s black, fight back.

And when I saw a black blob on the edge of my vision once moving toward me, I felt the surge of adrenaline course through my veins as I prepared.

It turned out to be a chow dog, a big fluffy bear substitute, but my adrenal glands didn’t stop pumping for awhile.

It did not want to cuddle either.

Dog gone it.

9AM