Things happen in Nature that make us happy.
Then, there are things that happen in Nature that make us sad.
Yesterday, I noticed a large number of Black Vultures, in the thicket on the other side of Elli's meadow.
I knew there must be a deer there.
These birds are very efficient in their job.
It's not pretty, but their job is to clean up when an animal dies.
From the time I saw them around noon, until about 6:00 PM...
they had pretty much finished the job.
We think it might have been I-lean. I-lean was the doe with the bad leg.
She'd become one of our favorites.
I-lean made it through the hard summer. There were a lot who didn't.
But, although she'd put back on some weight, she was having a harder time getting around.
A harder time getting to food....a harder time getting up from the ground.
That bad leg was taking it's toll.
We're not sure it was her. There's another doe around, with a bent leg.
Not as bad as I-lean's, though.
I know you hear me complain about the deer....a lot.
But, they're part of what made this place special to us.
It's sad....but, that's the way of Nature.
And, you have to take the unpretty things, with the pretty ones.
~~Linda~~
Sad but only nature. We had a deer with a broken leg. She could sure move on those three but I haven't seen her for a long time. Coyotes I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't seen any coyotes around. We can hear them far off...or, at least we think they're far off. With the number of deer we have, the coyotes must not bother them too much.
DeleteSo true, that is how it works, the vultures are a useful part of the local wildlife too. We recognize some of the deer that are here regularly too.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that we can recognize certain ones. At a glance, they all look alike. But, there are subtle differences.
DeleteDriving over the dam the other evening, there were hundreds of vultures up on the power lines. It was eerie; especially to consider how much they must need to eat. Glad to have them though. What a mess it would be without them. Enjoy the rain!
ReplyDeleteWhat is it about those big power towers that vultures like? I've noticed them hanging out on them for years...all over the state. I don't remember so many vultures years ago. Maybe I just didn't notice. They're pretty noticeable, though.
Delete:( sad. Sorry. I know it is nature but we don't always have to like it. Maybe she'll turn up. Stuff like that always makes me sad. I'm a big ol' softie though. Great close up of the vulture. They are so eerie to me.
ReplyDeleteThe vultures are eerie. They're SO big. There were about a dozen of them over there. Something startled them, and the sound of them taking off, all at once, was really weird.
DeleteIt's hard to deal with, especially since you seem to have a soft spot for her...poor little thing. Life is so easy for us when you think in terms of how hard they have it.
ReplyDeleteAnother word verification blogger, I am celebrating!!!
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
We should never name one. Makes it a bit sadder when they're gone.
DeleteI am in agreement with you on the word verification. It'll sometime keep me from commenting.
I have a love, hate relationship with the deer around here too. I think they are beautiful and love watching them but I get ticked when they venture into my garden too. Have a wonderful week and hope your I-lean shows up for you.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. They're beautiful animals. But, they do quite a bit of damage in the landscape. We have so many here. And, just about their only 'natural enemy' is the automobile. And, they multiply every year.
DeleteI'm sorry about I-lean. I don't have deer, but I have a love hate relationship with the multitudes of squirrels that inhabit my Post Oaks. It's sad when one turns up with an obvious birth defect or injury. Definitely pulls the ole' heart strings.
ReplyDeleteThe squirrels here don't do much damage. They like to plant the corn they get from our neighbor Elli's feeder, in our garden. I pull up corn all summer. But, that's no big problem.
DeleteSo far, they haven't dug up anything. I do know they can be pests, though.
And, they love to tease our dog, Maggie.