Magical moment

Something's wrong with my monitor...everything looks yellow and green. It's very hard on the eyes, so until I can get a new one, which will probably be after I move, I will most likely be spending less time on line!

Today was a perfect day to hike every square inch of Fullersburg. I got there around 1, and it wasn't very crowded.

The sun was out, and there were big puffy clouds in the sky.

It's in the 80's today, and slightly humid, but there's a nice breeze. It was hot enough to work up a sweat, but not so hot that I was sorry I'd worn jeans to keep the mosquitoes off of my legs.

After taking the long way around to get to my favorite perch, I rested for a bit. I heard some gentle rustling behind me, and listened to the various types of birds that were chattering in the trees.

Once satisfied, I started to move on, and immediately saw a deep russet rump, against the green back ground. The head raised, and there were velvet covered antlers on it. 6 points (the way we count them in the upper midwest, anyway...that's 3 points per side...a young one).

I froze.

He continued to forage, unaware of me. Then, I spotted his two companions. Another 6, and an 8 point.

Three bucks, in velvet, hanging out together on a hot afternoon.

Eventually, they all spotted me, and we all four stood, looking at one another, for a long, quiet minute.
They were close enough for me to see them very clearly, but they were far away enough for them to feel safe.
They continued to chew on whatever they were eating as they stared at me.

That part was pretty funny, actually!

Then, an oblivious jogger came by, stomping and stirring up dust, and the bucks went crashing off into the wood, white tails flashing.

The jogger stopped and apologized, and then told me a story about a big buck...bigger than these...that had been in her yard a few years ago. Her son had been convinced that the deer was running "recon" for Santa.

People I came across today were unusually friendly and chatty. On three different occasions, strangers stuck up conversations with me as I made my way over the pathways.

This is HIGHLY unusual, but it was very pleasant.

There were lots of cat birds around today, and those tiny lavender colored butterflies. Two little green herons, a HUGE snapping turtle, and one green-headed frog.

I needed my time in the woods, but had to leave because I was getting a bit too hot, and starting to feel sick to my stomach.

One of the drawbacks of the pills that help with my periods is that I feel nauseous A LOT.

I hope that eventually stops!!

Filled my gas tank, and headed on home to the "pepto" bottle, and something fizzy to drink.

The nausea passed in about an hour, and I wanted to go back to the woods!

OH well....