SAFE HAVEN?

We have had a lot of snow up here on the foothills of Salt Lake. When it rains in the valley, it snows on the bench so it is starting to pile up. I have an ATV with a plow that we have used frequently to keep the drive way clear.

We have always found deer tracks across our lawn and driveway but when we woke up, there were four deer in our backyard. We have a huge spruce tree in the back yard and they sought shelter from the snow storm. Here we see two does; one bedded down and the other eating Oma's plants. They are pregnant and Mom hopes they will come here to have their fawns. This must be a birthing station!

I watched these deer as they lay there and browsed so peacefully and wondered if they really knew what they were doing. They did not see the mounts on the wall and did not know about the venison in the freezer; they felt perfectly safe.

And then I noticed the cheekiest of all things; here was a nice buck bedded down just above the does. King of the hill and Lord of my roost! What nerve I thought and he did not know what he was doing. My grandfather hunted deer as did my father and I have also done this since a young boy. If there is a hunting gene in our family, I have had it big time which in later years led me to Africa for dangerous game safaris. I have felt differently about all this after my recent mission but still this was pushing it.

And then he got up and leisurely walked across my back yard and it was too much. I have to admit taking a rifle and putting a bead on this chap through the window; after all a buck in the sights is the thrill of the hunt.

But it was only practice. When my three year old granddaughter, Maryanne saw the deer, she asked, "Are those your deer Opa?" "I guess so" assuring their safety.

Here is something else that has found safe haven by our home.

Alles Gute, Opa