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Rake vs. Antlers

Yesterday was a beautiful day for November. It was 74 and sunny. That's just what I need before I hunker down for winter winds and snow.

Because the weather was so nice, we spent most of the day playing before we finally got to the actual yard work. This left me helping Rick to rake leaves in the backyard as the sun was going down. I sent Rick in the house to order pizza. I was happily raking, enjoying the warm evening and quiet (the kids were in the house playing) when I looked up to see a buck running right at me!

My first thought was, "AAAaaaaghhh! What is he doing?" So, I stood behind the wheelbarrow, held up my rake and yelled, "Don't you see me?" He slowed down within 15 feet and changed his course to the woods. He walked toward the edge of the woods and then just stood and stared at me. Let me tell you, it was creepy. He was the biggest buck I had seen since we have moved here (probably because I saw him up so close and also because he was running at me--I don't doubt that he really wasn't that big).

Anyway, we had a little stare down. Finally I yelled, "Get moving! You are giving me the creeps!" He didn't move, so I stomped, threw leaves, and made noises that I thought would scare the animal--I probably looked pretty silly. He finally ran off. For the rest of the evening as I raked, I was paranoid about animals watching me from the woods--especially when I was driving a full wheelbarrow back there to dump.

I think the guy who charged me yesterday was one of these two in the following picture. They were having antler wars one early morning a few weeks ago. I think these 2 guys are brothers and they were babies when we moved here. But--honestly all these deer look pretty much the same to me. There's baby deer, deer with antlers and deer without, and then there's those that charge you when you are outside minding your own business. I don't have the courage to get close enough to actually tell them apart more accurately than that.

Comments

Anjee said…
Bonni,

Jeremy and I laughed so hard when we read this. We could totally picture you saying everything you did. I love how you told the buck he was creeping you out. I think I would not have had the courage to do anything but run or call for Jeremy. Even though it is funny to read I bet it was scary. Crazy wildlife
November 10, 2009 at 12:35 AM
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