Some moments just remain with you. This was such a moment. It was early morning, November 24th, 2016, cameras in hand that we decided to take a leisurely walk on one of the many trails where we had camped that Thanksgiving week at the Old Forge Campground in Old Forge, NY. There had been a steady snowfall the night before and the ground was covered with a fresh 12-inch blanket of powdered snow. We didn’t get far down the trail before we encountered a young female deer. Emma saw her first and stopped in her tracks staring as this beautiful creature meandering toward us as it nibbled on some of the snow laden limbs that hung low over the trail. We didn’t know what Emma’s or the doe’s reaction would be, so I held Emma’s leash tight and knelt beside her talking softly as the deer continued its slow and steady walk towards us. We were amazed at how still Emma stood, her eyes and that of the does fixed upon each other even as Audrey began taking photographs. It was quite an amazing experience – being under the gaze of this doe, trusting as she came closer and closer. Ultimately, Emma couldn’t contain herself, and in her joyful way began whimpering and fidgeting wanting to jump up and play with her new-found friend. Even with all this activity the doe no more than 10 feet away remained calm, watching intently. After about a minute of checking us out she slowly turned and began walking away occasionally looking back at us.
As the doe and we headed our different ways this beautiful winter morning we kept glancing back at her as the distance between us grew. We couldn’t help but smile as she disappeared in the trees knowing we had just encountered a very special moment in nature between this doe, Emma and us.
For more of our break with tradition this Thanksgiving weekend, visit our post “Our Decision On What to Do About Thanksgiving – Part 2”.
We are sure your mom knows how lucky she is to have you Tink as a support and consultant.
LikeLike
Woofwoo, Woof. Emma says Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely wonderful slideshow! Give Emma a gentle pat from me. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we were very lucky. It is nice you felt moved by the video. Animals fascinate us in their parenting techniques or at least most of them, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Animals have a great sense of love for each other. You are lucky to experience it in front of your eyes. Your words brought the exact picture in front of my eyes ..
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My nose seems set to default to dripping. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t that the truth. Sometimes my nose doesn’t know what to do, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just like the weather here. Crazy fluctuations – freezing today. My sinuses don’t react to cold, thank goodness. Pollen, on the other hand . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sure was very nippy. It has been an interesting winter of extremes. One day its in the 40’s or 50’s and the next it is dipping down into the low 30’s. Raises heck with the sinuses, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that IS cold! Addendum: USAthroughoureyes/whentheweatherisnice!
xx,
mgh
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen to that. The other day it was bitter and even the camera started freezing up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure, but some moments are fleeting and tough to catch, especially when it’s cold and your hands are in your pockets.
xx, mgh
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we carry a camera just about everywhere we travel. Well, almost everywhere, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Obviously this was not the doe’s first exposure to man – but surely the fear of wolves and dogs might have remained, I’d think. How cool you had the camera going.
xx,
mgh
LikeLiked by 1 person
We thought that doe would have naturally run away. Instead it just kept coming. Its funny because Emma kept hiding behind my leg like a 3 year old child. Then she started whimpering. Often have said the same about the thoughts going on inside an animals brain, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here’s an Emma post! I added it to Tink’s “Related Content” list. I’m sure I will find others as time permits.
I can’t believe that doe didn’t bolt the minute her nose picked up Emma’s scent. Don’t you wish we could read the thoughts in their furry heads?
xx,
mgh
LikeLiked by 2 people
You have a gift for sure. Peace that surpasses all understanding and others pick up on it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree and animals do pick up on our temperament. One of my friends has called me an animal whisperer several times as I had a deer pass me on the trail and just walked past me as if I was one of them. Another Marmot sat right next to me to feed and obviously didn’t mind me either.
Sitting at the beach, all of a sudden a strange dog is sitting next to me just chilling out starring into the distance with me and things like these happen all the time.
So glad as well to have come across you. Thank you for taking the time and for stopping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe you are correct. We certainly were at peace and it was so cool to watch the deer just mosey on up to us. There were also other encounters that morning with other deer. Animals are interesting barometers of peoples temperaments. There are so many studies supporting their sensitivity to human emotions. So glad to have you along on our journey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful and I had similar encounters where animal were at peace and totally ok with my presence. I believe taget sense our own energy and don’t feel a threat, just like dogs often take on the temperament of their owners. Loved the story, thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. It was fun for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for your encouraging words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Marvellous
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh I love emma – woof
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Emma was so funny. She was trying so hard to contain herself as she let out these soft squeals. Under her excitement though was a tinge of fear at this taller hairy creature strutting the fact this was her woods and not Emmas but was willing to share , lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Anisha. A truly beautiful moment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh Emma sounds sweet – and you wrote in such a way to where I felt right there on this chilly and QUIET moment…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh how surreal!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Yes we are very blessed to have so many great encounters including being embraced by so many on lookers.
LikeLike
What an amazing experience. You are very lucky.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind words. It was a spectacular interactive moment.
LikeLike
I love the way you described that special moment! Very well written and the slide show was great to see at the end.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome. They are fun to watch. Emma is a real lover of other animals and has more fun chasing a Frisbee then a bird, lol
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh how special! Emma was so good. We moved last year and one of the perks of the new house is that there is a deer thoroughfare in the back of the house. Never had that before, now we spend a lot of time just watching those beautiful creatures.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Lovely!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for sharing how you felt reading the post and seeing the video. Encounters like this with nature are always exciting. Emma was more nervous then the doe, lol
LikeLiked by 2 people
the slide show was a perfect way to end the post. because as i read, I was wondering about a bit more… and then you gave it to us.
and usually these beauties get so easily spooked – and to think that even with a dog around the doe was so chill…..
LikeLiked by 3 people