Simple Joy on a November Afternoon

I don't think Festus was looking for apples when he passed through this deer-free zone in the north lawn yesterday afternoon. 

They come when least expected, but they keep coming AND I keep taking pictures.  I'm getting to know the bambi's in the above photos well enough that I don't want to think about deer hunting season. 

They no longer make me mad like they did for most of the summer while pilfering from my garden, my manure pile, my flower beds and even my deck. 

There's not much to pilfer, 'cept on the ground beneath the big apple tree.  

I've picked all the apples needed for my winter canning and for the horses' treats, so I don't mind if the deer steal from what fruit remains on the apple tree.

Since the apples fall at intervals, these deer and some of their friends from over Gary Finney way feel the need to check for treats several times a day.

I often know when they're passing through the front yard because Foster yells at them. They just stare at him, often standing like statues.  If they run, Foster runs after them, but thankfully, only until they're off the premises or after I've almost completely destroyed my vocal cords, yelling, "NO! NO! BAD FOSTER!  

He doesn't like the word "bad," so sometimes he'll turn back mid-chase.

Foster and Kiwi happened to be in the garage when I saw these visitors coming through the yard yesterday.  We've gotten to know each other fairly well.

I don't chase them or bark at them, so I think they kinda trust me-----enough that I followed slowly and quietly as they made their way through the south lawn, got a little agitated as they reached the north lawn and then settle right in to ground apple pursuits, once they reached the tree. 

On this trip through, several apples had hit the ground, so they did not need to sneak into Meserve's escape preserve empty-mouthed. 

Well, the little one did, but I'm sure one of the moms probably shared once they had reached the safety next door and progressed several steps further to other potential apple droppings at Meserve's. 

It's a daily event that I'm coming to enjoy, and I do have to admit that I hope this bunch travels only through the sights of a camera lens during the next few weeks. 

Besides the deer visit, once again, I, like our fat Festus,  found several examples of simple afternoon joy in the fields and the mountains all around our place.

Fun times with the deer and exhilarating moments with the gorgeous landscape. 

Happy Wednesday.