The Forest People

Wednesday was just a nice fall afternoon, went paddling with a friend. We did 7.12 miles in 1 hour and 49 minutes. Not bad time. The air temp and water temp are quite close at around 65 degrees F.

Thursday was sucked up by errands but I did get out to walk the forest trails with each of my dogs. We ran into the resident does and their fawns several times. I call them the "forest people." Having lived here more than a few years I have become familiar with the natives. There is a young fox that visits our cat in the evenings sometimes. And the deer, I recognize the does.

Two or three falls ago Fairfax County engaged a bow hunter to come into our neighborhood and kill the deer. "Big Girl," and "Little One," all 8 does and two bucks were "removed." I was pretty heart broken, as were some of my neighbors, especially the one fellow who put out feed for them every evening. The bow hunter said he killed every last one as they came and went from my neighbor's feeding spot.

So I have not named these does. I try not to get too attached. They are gentle and quiet, these forest people. They do sometimes eat my azaleas and pansies. I live on the edge of their forest. I do not mind the price, it is not too high, to live with nature so close.